Young researcher Dr Scott Ayton scores top medal
He has managed to attract an impressive $3 million in grants and fellowships and has already supervised numerous PhD and honours students.
Dr Ayton’s current research is focused on trying to understand the role of iron in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and the influence that an individual’s genetic make up exerts on the disease process.
The BGRF young researcher of the year medal was awarded to Dr Ayton at the awards ceremony by his friend and mentor, Professor Ashley Bush, who said, “it has been an absolute pleasure to watch Scott mature into an outstanding young research Fellow and I’m sure he will continue to have a great impact on the Alzheimer’s field in years to come.”
Professor Bush recently established the Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, and Scott has just been appointed as one of four deputy directors.
The Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation was established in 1994 through a very generous bequest from the estate of the late Mr Glen W A Griffiths, in appreciation for the care he received at Calvary Health Care Bethlehem for motor neuron disease (MND).
His will provided for the establishment of a foundation, independent of the hospital, to fund Victorians researching life-threatening neurological illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and MND as well as palliative care and stroke. New methods of treatment resulting from the $5 million plus provided since it commenced are now used routinely to alleviate suffering.