SCS researcher and Early Career Practitioner Fellow receives VC Commendation

Dr Chris Moran

Congratulations Dr Chris Moran, recipient of the 2015 Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence.

Under the supervision of Professor Velandai Srikanth and Professor Thanh Phan from the Stroke and Ageing Research Group in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Chris investigated the links between type 2 diabetes and dementia.

“With our ageing population and obesity epidemic, diabetes and dementia are both very common diseases,” said Dr Moran, a geriatrician at Monash Health.

“Around 10 to 15 years ago, we started to realise diabetes increases the risk of dementia,” said Dr Moran. “I’m interested in the how and the why that happens.”

Dr Moran hopes that gaining an understanding of these pathways may help explain why dementia is so common, and not just in people with diabetes.

“This Commendation is an honour and a testimony to the great support I received from my supervisors and the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health,” said Dr Moran.  “And my wife deserves special thanks for putting up with me during thesis writing!”

Having recently received postdoctoral support as an NHMRC-ARC Early Career Dementia Research Fellow, Dr Moran is continuing his work into exploring the mechanisms through which type 2 diabetes contributes to an increased risk of dementia.

“This recognition by the Faculty of Chris' work reflects his enthusiasm, curiosity, and hard work in a new and exciting field,” said Monash Health Specialist Geriatrician and Head of Stroke and Ageing Research Professor Srikanth.

“It is richly deserved and underscores the tremendous value of young and aspiring clinical academics.”

Dr Moran is also a recipient of the SCS Early Career Practitioner Fellowship, a scheme that enables early career practitioners to have protected research time.