Bond University PhD student, Ekua Brenu, was last week awarded the Junior Investigator Research Award for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome from the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS/ME) in Ottawa, Canada.
The award was part of the 10th International Clinical and Research Conference of the IACFS/ME, bringing together world experts in the field.
Ms Brenu said the award was recognition for the strong scientific advancements her and lead researcher Dr Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, were making in identifying CFS/ME biomarkers.
“It is exciting about the progress we've made to date and this award recognises Bond University’s place as a world leader in immunological research for CFS/ME,” said Ms Brenu.
Dr Marshall-Gradisnik said figures suggest up to 180, 000 Australians suffer from CFS with only 16% of these people being properly diagnosed and receiving adequate treatment.
“Our research will help in the early detection of CFS, potential screening as well as the pathology, where we understand how people contract the disease,” said Dr Marshall-Gradisnik.
CFS is characterised by severe fatigue and an inability to function at optimal levels, however, diagnosis is a lengthy, complicated process involving the systematic elimination of other disorders, during which time sufferers often face years of uncertainty and ill health.
Dr Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, said Queensland Government Smart State funding has enabled them to advance their research and facilitated international collaboration with the Stanford University, Gene Technology Centre.
To date the Queensland Government’s $3.6 billion investment in research and development and innovation in the State has resulted in 39 new research institutes and more than 230 research-related projects, research scholarships and fellowships.