Four female researchers have been granted a share of $166,000 by the Mary McConnel Career Boost Program, to help support and advance their careers in paediatric research.
The recipients of the program are Associate Professor Jasneek Chawla, Dr Trisha Soosay Raj, Tricia Kleidon and Kristen Storey.
The Children’s Hospital Foundation program has been supported by fashion brand DISSH, with $450,000 over three years. It’s designed to offer vital support and financial aid to female researchers at different stages of their career.
“Traditional funding models often come with invisible strings, including assumptions about what women need. The Mary McConnel Career Boost Program turns that on its head by giving women the autonomy to make decisions that work for them,” Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO Lyndsey Rice said.
“This program gives women the agency to turn their decisions into impact – offering up to $50,000 in funding they can use as they deem most helpful, whether that’s on childcare, research time, or professional development, whatever helps them thrive and advance their studies.”
Since its launch in 2018, the program has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to 32 female researchers and has supported research in areas including paediatric vascular access, immunotherapy, chronic kidney disease, cerebral palsy, palliative care, and infectious disease.
The Mary McConnel Career Boost Program was established to honour Mary McConnel, a pioneer who pushed for the elevation of the care and treatment of sick children and young people. She founded Queensland’s first paediatric hospital in 1878.
Lucy Henry-Hicks, DISSH CEO, said the brand’s support of the program was designed to support women in paediatric research where they need it most.
“DISSH has proudly committed $450,000, to the Mary McConnel Career Boost Program over a three-year partnership, because we appreciate that when we trust women to know what they need, we fuel innovation and create change for generations to come,” she said.
More information about this year’s recipients:
Associate Professor Jasneek Chawla is an early-career researcher focusing on optimising sleep disordered breathing treatment for children with neurodisability.
Dr Trisha Soosay Raj is a novice researcher committed to improving learning practices in paediatric oncology across the Pacific region.
Tricia Kleidon is a novice researcher dedicated to exploring practice variation and outcomes of peripheral intravenous catheters and vein health across rural and tertiary paediatric healthcare.
Kristen Storey is a novice researcher exploring the use of negative pressure wound therapy in acute paediatric burns.