News Archive

Outstanding Western Australian researcher, Associate Professor Kevin Pfleger, has won the Endocrine Society of Australia's Mid-Career Research Award.

The award is the latest in a series of honours for The University of Western Australia's Associate Professor Pfleger who heads the Molecular Endocrinology and Pharmacology Laboratory at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

Associate Professor Pfleger said that he was humbled to be recognised in this manner by Australia's premier learned society for endocrinologists.

"We are extremely proud of Kevin and his highly innovative research," said the Director of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Winthrop Professor Peter Leedman.

"His work takes on new challenges and he is able to take novel ideas from discovery through to development and clinical trials," he said.  "His use of cutting edge technology to address key biological questions is a major strength for Kevin and his team, and sets him apart from most others."

"Kevin is an outstanding scientist with a fantastic future ahead of him.  He is definitely one to watch", said Professor Robyn Owens, UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

Associate Professor Pfleger's innovative work has focused on G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), proteins on the surface of our cells that respond to many different stimuli from light and taste to neurotransmitters.  In terms of endocrinology, it is how these receptors respond to hormones that is important.

Associate Professor Pfleger has made significant contributions to understanding GPCRs that control multiple facets of the endocrine system, his most recent work focusing on the implications for chronic kidney disorders.

The Mid-Career Research Award will be presented following his award lecture at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Endocrine Society of Australia in Melbourne on 26 August.

Media references

Associate Professor Kevin Pfleger (Head, Molecular Endocrinology and Pharmacology, UWA Centre for Medical Research, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research)  (+61 8) 6151 0734
David Stacey (UWA Media Manager)  (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716