- $3.4 million fellowship awarded to Professor
Mirko Uljarevic
- Innovative program to transform autism clinical
pathways
- Jointly funded by the FHRI Fund and the Stan
Perron Charitable Foundation
- Cook Government working to support the wellbeing
of all Western Australians
A global leader in autism
research has relocated to Perth to help transform how children with autism are
diagnosed and supported, thanks to a $3.4 million fellowship.
The Cook Government has awarded
Stanford University Professor Mirko Uljarevic the 2024-25 Future Health
Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Distinguished Fellowship - jointly funded
with more than $1 million from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation.
Internationally
recognised as a clinical and data science researcher, Professor Uljarevic will
be based at The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western
Australia, joining the world-leading CliniKids team at The Kids Research Institute
Australia. Professor Uljarevic will be undertaking a 5-year program to improve
the accuracy and effectiveness of autism screening, diagnosis and care in
Western Australia.
His program, Transforming
the clinical pathway for children with autism: Using big data to improve
outcomes, will apply large-scale datasets to improve clinical practice and
quality of life for children with autism and their families.
Two emerging autism
researchers, Dr Lacey Chetcuti and Dr Emily Spackman, will also relocate to
Western Australia to join the program, strengthening local research capability
and contributing to WA's growing health and medical research workforce.
The FHRI Fund
Distinguished Fellows Program is a key initiative under the FHRI Fund Strategy
2025-30, supporting outstanding research leaders to contribute to WA's
long-term health, economic and innovation goals.
Comments attributed to
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Professor Uljarevic is a
world-class researcher whose expertise will significantly advance autism care
and understanding in Western Australia.
"About 3 per cent of
Australians are affected by autism, and this funding will support transformational
research to improve outcomes for children and families.
"The Cook Government
continues to invest in high-impact research programs through the FHRI Fund,
helping drive life-changing breakthroughs and strengthening WA's research and
innovation ecosystem."
