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Australasian Science prize awarded to UNSW Academic L. Khachigian

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  • Australasian Science prize awarded to UNSW Academic L. Khachigian

    PRESS RELEASE
    Office of the Independent Councillor, City of Ryde
    Email: [email protected], or Alt. Email: [email protected]
    Phone: (02) 9879 4159 , Mobile: 0412 048 330
    PO Box 631, Galesville, NSW 2111, Australia


    Science prize goes to UNSW again
    16 November 2004



    The Australasian Science prize has been awarded to an academic from
    UNSW, for the second year in a row.

    The 2004 prize has been awarded to Professor Levon Khachigian, an
    NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow in the Centre for Vascular
    Research (CVR) in the Faculty of Medicine.

    Professor Khachigian and his 15-strong team in the Transcription and
    Gene Targeting Laboratory are hoping to develop novel treatments for
    arterial diseases, including several aggressive cancers, based on
    innovative ways for identifying genes that damage blood vessels.

    "I think that one of our strengths is our ability to translate
    fundamental observations into potential therapeutic strategies," said
    Professor Khachigian. "We like to think of inventive ways to interfere
    with key molecules and the cellular events that would otherwise lead
    to the manifestation of disease."

    Their most recent discovery is of molecular tools that block the
    growth of aggressive melanoma in mice.

    In accepting the prize, Professor Khachigian called for increased
    funding for health and medical research by Government in its new term
    - an area, which he claims, received scant attention in the recent
    federal election campaign. "Otherwise we risk losing the opportunity
    of capturing and building upon the people, project and infrastructure
    investments already made," he said. "Our competitive position as an
    international player in research is squarely dependent on adequate
    government funding."

    "Fundamental understanding is critical to any area of research, which
    is why we need to support curiosity-driven research," said Professor
    Khachigian.

    UNSW Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Wainwright, and Professor Michelle
    Haber, Director of the Children's Cancer Institute Australia applauded
    Professor Khachigian's impressive body of research. He was presented
    the Award by the editor of Australasian Science Guy Nolch.

    Last year, another UNSW academic, Emeritus Scientia Professor Mark
    Rowe, was presented with the prize for his work as a sensory
    neuroscientist.

    Next month Professor Khachigian will be awarded his Doctor of Science
    (Research), his third degree over 23 years from UNSW.

    Our Congratulation to Professor Levon Khachigian and his family,
    Prof. Khachigian is born in Lebanon of Armenian Parents he resides in
    Ryde, he is married and has two children.


    Sarkis Yedelian, Councillor, City of Ryde.

    For further information about Australasian Science go to the website.
    http://www.unsw.edu.au/news/adv/articles/2004/nov/Levon.html
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