PA/05/10 22 January 2010
Indian-origin researcher of Alzheimer’s disease is Western Australia State Australian of the Year 2010
An Indian-origin Australian researcher of Alzheimer’s disease, Professor Ralph Martins, has been named Western Australia’s Australian of the Year 2010.
Born to parents who were from India, Professor Martins moved to Perth at 16 years of age. Along with three other Western Australian award winners, he will join recipients from all other Australian States and Territories as finalists for the national awards to be announced on 25 January 2010 in Canberra.
“The award signals Professor Martins’ contributions to research on Alzheimer’s disease. It is a recognition of the contribution by Professor Martins to medical science,” said Mr Peter Varghese, Australian High Commissioner to India.
“I am particularly delighted that Professor Martins has been honoured. His Indian background speaks of the contributions of the diaspora in Australia and stands testament to the multicultural nature of Australian society,” added Mr Varghese.
He shares Australia’s breakthrough research on Alzheimer’s disease with specialists in India. Currently Professor Martins is collaborating with Dr. Jacob Roy, who is President and Founder of the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI). ARDSI is involved in running Alzheimer-related clinics and research centres in India.
He works closely with Indian researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore; the National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Gurgaon, and with Dr. Benny Antony of Arjuna Natural Extracts Ltd, based in Kerala with whom clinical trials will begin shortly in Australia to evaluate a novel formulation of the Indian herbal extract curcumin.
Professor Martins is also collaborating with Dr. Radha Murthy and her Nightingales Foundation, which is involved in understanding risk factors for Alzheimer's disease in the Indian population. Dr. Murthy is currently building a 70-bed Alzheimer's Care Centre with training and research facility in Bangalore which will become functional by March 2010.
Professor Ralph Martins is recognised as a leader of research in Alzheimer’s disease. His team made the first significant discovery, showing that the beta amyloid protein that coats the brain is the foundation of Alzheimer’s. He has been instrumental in bringing to Perth new technology that makes it possible to determine if a patient has deposits of the toxic beta amyloid. Professor Martins continues to work to develop an early diagnostic blood test.
Professor Martins has through his Alzheimer's Centre of Excellence awarded PhD scholarships to outstanding Indian students to undertake postgraduate studies at Edith Cowan University under his supervision. In addition he has recruited Indian postdoctoral scientists to work as key members of his research team in Australia.
As Director of Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Care, Research Director of the Sir James McCusker Unit for Alzheimer’s Disease Research for over 20 years, and Inaugural Chair for Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease at Edith Cowan University, Professor Martins is working to develop an early diagnostic blood test. His team, along with researchers in Melbourne, is undertaking the largest study of its kind in the world to develop the early blood test to identify the role of lifestyle factors which affect Alzheimer’s disease.