Mercy Perinatal and University of Melbourne postdoctoral researcher Dr Natasha de Alwis has been acknowledged for her research into preeclampsia, receiving a prestigious Heart Foundation Fellowship.
Preeclampsia takes the lives of over half a million babies and 70,000 mothers worldwide each year. Even for survivors, there can be long-term effects for both mother and child. Unfortunately, there is no cure, and current treatments have limited effectiveness. Women who have had preeclampsia are at significantly higher risk of future cardiovascular disease.
Dr de Alwis belongs to the Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, led by Professor Natalie Hannan. Their focus is developing new therapeutic approaches to treating preeclampsia.
“Our team sits between the fundamental discovery research at the University of Melbourne, and the clinic at Mercy Health,” said Dr de Alwis.
Dr de Alwis is investigating the potential of repurposing therapies – with well-known safety in pregnancy – that target key inflammatory molecules, to offer a novel treatment.
“We’re using sophisticated models of pregnancy and preeclampsia to test and develop new therapies, and identify the best candidates that can be taken to clinical trial.”
“Our aim is to offer safer and more effective treatment options for patients who experience preeclampsia,” said Dr de Alwis.
The Heart Foundation’s Fellowship funding enables early career researchers like Dr de Alwis to continue her work.
“This nationally competitive grant recognises the potential translational impact of our research,” said Dr de Alwis. “Our work could ultimately halt disease progression and reduce the long-term impacts on maternal cardiovascular health in Australia and around the world.”
Dr de Alwis acknowledges the clinical and midwifery staff at the Mercy Hospital for Women, and especially the patients who donate their clinical samples to the team’s research.
“Their generosity enables my team to generate models of pregnancy and preeclampsia in the lab, test the safety and the effectiveness of potential therapies,” said Dr de Alwis.
“This research would not be possible without it.”
Highlighting the extreme talent we have at Mercy Perinatal and the University of Melbourne, Dr de Alwis has also been selected to represent Australia at the Falling Walls Lab in Berlin this week. The world-class competition and networking forum provides a global stage for early career professionals to drive their innovations and breakthrough ideas.
Last reviewed November 8, 2024.
