George Institute researcher wins NHMRC scholarship to tackle a hormone at the heart of Australia's hypertension crisis

The George Institute for Global Health is thrilled to congratulate doctoral researcher Dr Lauren Heath on receiving a prestigious Postgraduate Scholarship from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Lauren is one of 67 outstanding graduates to receive funding under the NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships 2025 scheme, backed by $10.1 million in Australian Government investment to support the next generation of health and medical researchers.

Her $163,400 scholarship will fund important new research into the role of the hormone aldosterone in driving high blood pressure and kidney disease - conditions that affect millions of Australians. Aldosterone is central to the development of hypertension and a new generation of medications targeting this pathway is currently under investigation.

While aldosterone-blocking therapies show promise, their clinical use can be limited by the development of dangerously high potassium levels in the blood. Dr Heath’s PhD research will examine the prevalence of elevated aldosterone levels in Australians with hypertension and assess how novel aldosterone-targeted therapies affect serum potassium, particularly in people living with chronic kidney disease.

The research addresses a critical but under-recognised area of unmet clinical need, with direct implications for the management of aldosterone excess, hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

Dr Heath said the scholarship is an opportunity to close significant gaps in understanding of how aldosterone affects Australian patients.

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High blood pressure and kidney disease are incredibly common but we still have significant gaps in understanding how aldosterone contributes to both conditions in Australian patients. This scholarship gives me the opportunity to investigate that link and help determine how we can use emerging therapies more safely and effectively.

By:

Dr Lauren Heath

Doctoral Researcher, The George Institute for Global Health

She said better understanding the risks of aldosterone-blocking medications could open the door to treatment for a much wider group of patients.

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One of the real barriers to using these newer aldosterone-blocking medications is the risk of potassium levels becoming dangerously high - which can be life-threatening. If we can better understand and manage that risk, particularly in people with chronic kidney disease, we open the door to treatments that could benefit a much wider group of patients.

By:

Dr Lauren Heath

Doctoral Researcher, The George Institute for Global Health

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The investment supports Australian researchers in driving innovation that improves care and saves lives.

The Albanese Government is investing in our brightest minds to push the boundaries of medical research and deliver tomorrow's health breakthroughs.

We are giving Australian researchers the tools to drive innovation that improves care, saves lives, and strengthens our health system for the future.

By:

Mark Butler

Minister for Health and Ageing

NHMRC CEO Professor Steve Wesselingh congratulated all successful scholars and highlighted the importance of nurturing emerging talent.

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Our health and medical research system relies on collaboration and sharing of knowledge to accelerate discoveries and their translation into practice to solve health challenges.

This investment through NHMRC's Postgraduate Scholarship program supports not just the individual researchers but also helps to build Australia's future research capacity.

By:

Professor Steve Wesselingh

NHMRC CEO