Barry Preston Award
Established Researcher Award
The Barry Preston Award recognises an outstanding leader in the matrix biology field distinguished by a sustained record of achievement, commitment to mentoring junior researchers and exceptional communication skills.
This award is named after Barry Preston who made contributions to the understanding of the transport and properties of extracellular matrix molecules. He was an enthusiastic teacher and mentor to younger researchers. He established the Connective Tissue Society of Australia and New Zealand, as MBSANZ was then known, in 1975 and was the inaugural president.
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Eligibility requirements
Any Australian or New Zealand citizen in the matrix biology field currently at a national or international research institution who exemplifies the same passion for discovery and mentorship that Barry typified is eligible to be nominated. The awardee must be available to deliver a plenary lecture at the society conference on their research.
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Application Requirements
A call for nominations for this award will occur prior to a society meeting. Current members of the Society may nominate candidates for this award by providing a supporting statement and brief CV for the nominee. The awardee will deliver a plenary lecture at the society conference on their research.
Award review committee
The award is determined by the selection committee chaired by the President.
2023 Awardee
A/Prof Thomas R. Cox is a Laboratory Head at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney. Thomas currently leads the Matrix and Metastasis Lab, part of the Cancer Ecosystems Program at the Garvan Institute and Kinghorn Cancer Centre. The labs creative research program integrates matrix biology with precision oncology, to make fundamental advances in personalised stromal targeting of solid tumours.
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​The team’s work is focused on tackling the knowledge gap in and redefining our understanding of the matrix in diseases such as cancer. The lab strives to identify new matrix targets and matrix targeting approaches, as well as develop ways to maximise their effectiveness in pre-clinical small animal cancer models (breast, pancreatic, lung) for personalising novel and/or current anti-cancer agents.
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