Nomination forms for the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Science Awards will be sent directly to all of the Blacktown Local Government Area High Schools with students in Year 11.
Nominations close on Wednesday 23 July. For more information on the program, please contact the Community Events Team on 9839 6000.
The Award, which will take the form of framed certificate recognising the recipient for their achievements, as well as the opportunity for the recipient to spend time at the Institute to learn first-hand about its activities and about a career in science, is available to all Year 11 (or equivalent) Australian students. It is envisioned that the award will be presented towards the end of the school year.
Victor Chang was an outstanding cardiothoracic surgeon in Australia and South-East Asia, and one of the leading heart surgeons in the world. He pioneered the future of cardiothoracic surgery and research in Australia. He was responsible for developing Australia’s National Heart Transplant Programme and, at the time of his death, was working on the development of an artificial heart valve, which would be used to support seriously ill patients who were awaiting heart transplants.
Victor nurtured a vision to establish an internationally-recognised cardiac research centre at St Vincent’s. With his tragic and untimely death in 1991 efforts to realise Victor’s dream accelerated resulting in generous donations which enabled the establishment of The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI).
In addition to conducting fundamental heart research, the VCCRI is committed to providing excellence in biomedical research training and in the translation of basic science advances to bedside clinical treatments.