If you want a clear example of how directly your donation dollar is helping to shape the future of heart research, look no further than PhD student
Brad McEwen.
Brad is currently a PhD student investigating the effects of fish oil. There is a lot of talk about fish oil these days but there has been surprisingly little solid research done. Brad wants to address some of this knowledge shortfall.
He is going beyond the well-known idea of fish oil as a heart disease preventative. He wants to know – can fish oil make a difference to people who already have cardiovascular disease?
No PhD is easy and Brad's study has been demanding. But he's happy to put in the many long hours it takes to investigate this fascinating question.
The scholarship that is helping Brad focus on his research is a North Shore Heart Research Foundation PhD Scholarship valued at $30,000 per year.
Brad is just one of many inspiring researchers who have received this scholarship. This scholarship has also energised the early careers of a number of professionals now working in cardiac care and research.
"I'm always telling my friends how much I love research and enjoy doing it, but if it wasn't for the scholarship, I'd really struggle."
What is a PhD?
'PhD' means a Doctor of Philosophy from the Latin, philosophiae doctor. It is a post graduate academic degree awarded by universities. The reference to 'philosophy' is in the classical Greek sense of the word, meaning 'lover of wisdom'
Applicants for a PhD should hold a relevant master's degree or a bachelor's degree with first or second class honours.
PhDs are time intensive. Still, many students must take on work to pay the bills and a number of them struggle financially. This is why scholarships are so crucial – so they can dedicate their time to research, like with any job.
The Foundation PhD Scholarship is more generous than the government equivalent and is focussed on research that advances the cause of cardiac health.
Foundation PhD Scholarship program
The Foundation PhD Scholarship Program brings together a unique community of brilliant, cardiovascular explorers.
Where many other medical scholarships are more general, we specifically welcome people like Brad, who want to focus on the cardiovascular system.
Our assessment panel comprises of some of the top cardiac specialists in the country. People well qualified to recognise talent and an idea with potential.
The Foundation PhD Scholarship is more generous than the government equivalent and is focussed on research that advances the cause of cardiac health.
"Each Scholarship granted by the Foundation is like opening another door to the future of cardiac research. With brilliant young minds applying themselves to one of Australia's greatest health challenges – heart disease – anything is possible."
More about the role of PhD research >Why we need your help
Heart disease is the world's biggest killer. And, the way to fight it is by finding new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat it.
Providing the PhD Scholarships program to inquisitive, hard working people like Brad is one of the most valuable things the Foundation does.
It is a promise of great things to come.
It's giving an early career boost to people who may come up with advances in heart disease treatment that we can't even imagine today.
When you support the Foundation, you are helping put another piece of the puzzle in place. You are giving heart to future generations.
