RECOGNISING CLINICAL TRIALS AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE RESEARCH, NHMRC CEO signs off tenure with final co-presenter role at ACTA Trial of the Year Awards
With
Prof Christopher Reid, Board Chair
Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA)
Professor Steve Wesselingh, CEO
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Chandana Guha,
Australasian Kidney Trials Network
Dr Menglu Ouyang on behalf of Professor Craig Anderson
Australasian Stroke Trials Network with The George Institute for Global Health
Professor David Curtis
Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group
Delaine Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group
SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | August 2026
Australia’s clinical trials community came together to celebrate outstanding research and recognise the people and teams making a meaningful difference to healthcare at the 2026 ACTA Trial of the Year Awards.
Now in its 10th year, the awards continue to shine a light on investigator-led clinical trials and initiatives that are improving clinical practice, influencing healthcare policy and delivering better outcomes for patients across Australia and beyond.
This year’s awards showcased the breadth and strength of Australia’s clinical trials sector, with achievements recognised across six categories spanning clinical trials, statistics, health economics, implementation science, consumer involvement and clinical quality registries.
ACTA Chair, Professor Chris Reid, highlighted the contribution of the nominees and winners to the broader clinical trials community, noting the expertise, collaboration and commitment demonstrated through their work.
Since their establishment in 2016, the ACTA Trial of the Year Awards have provided an opportunity to recognise the impact of clinical research and celebrate the people behind the trials. The 2026 ceremony continued this tradition, highlighting the important role Australian researchers and collaborators play in advancing healthcare and improving the lives of patients.
Source: ACTA news story 19th August 2026 https://clinicaltrialsalliance.org.au/latest-news/celebrating-outstanding-achievements-in-clinical-trials/
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Thyroid health into pregnancy
‘Without an adequate amount of thyroid hormone mothers can be exposed to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia or eclampsia, which affect around 10% of pregnant women and are the leading causes of maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide. Mothers who suffer from hypertensive disorders during pregnancy are at increased risk of long-term cardiovascular consequences and hypertensive disorders in subsequent pregnancies. Evidence also indicates a risk of reduced cognitive ability to their offspring.
‘Knowing if you are genetically predisposed to Hashimoto’s or Graves’ Diseases, which are both thyroid autoimmune disorders is important to be aware of, to ensure all appropriate tests are ordered. Autoimmune disorders may predispose mothers to a thyroid problem during pregnancy’, says Professor Creswell Eastman, who also serves as the ATF’s Principal Medical Advisor.
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Study: First time stroke survivors have substantial immediate and accelerated long term cognitive decline
New evidence from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) indicates that older adults who experience a stroke for the first time will have substantial immediate and accelerated long term-cognitive decline.
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Addressing Pharmacy challenges at home and abroad
Paul Sinclair’s progression through the ranks of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) demonstrates the impact and influence he’s had in representing the pharmacy profession on a global scale. In this Australian Health Journal interview, Paul talks about the 4 themes in the upcoming FIP Congress in Brisbane this month. He also talks about the challenges facing pharmacy with remuneration, professional service delivery and the workforce coming out of the COVID era.
