The Laurent Fellowship for Respiratory Health
Our purpose: to support research into the underlying causes of and novel therapeutic approaches to respiratory disease, in recognition of the contribution made by Professor Geoff Laurent. This includes through the exchange of researchers, initially between The University of Western Australia and University College London.
Professor Geoff Laurent was an incredible man: an acclaimed scientist and globally renowned world class researcher on every aspect of respiratory health. A lover of life, he was blessed with an ability to bring people together in the spirit of collaboration and innovation. He was driven by his passion and whether that was on the sporting field (football, golf, cycling to name but a few) or in a lab surrounded by the latest technology, his curiosity and energy were infectious.
Born in Western Australia, a place where medical science was responding to an alarming trend of respiratory failure caused by mining, Geoff was inspired to be part of the solution. He understood that better clinical outcomes would only stem from the pursuit of the underpinning science. Geoff completed his Bachelor of Science degree with first class honours at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in 1974, and his PhD in 1978.
From this early stage in his career, Geoff was driven to seek out the best scientific outcomes from across the world. He was given his first opportunity to travel overseas through a postgraduate travel scholarship when he studied at the National Heart and Lung Institute / Royal Brompton Hospital London. He eventually became Professor and Director of the Centre for Respiratory Research at University College London (UCL). Through this exchange, he quickly learnt that to advance in problem solving, academics from different institutions across the world had to be encouraged to work together, be open to partnership and inspire the future generation. He seamlessly combined the balance of scientific endeavour with leadership, creating teams of scientists and physicians working in partnership with industry to further the understanding of respiratory science via clinical trials.
Geoff published over 200 articles in international journals of biomedical research and was awarded the European Respiratory Societies Presidential Award for his contribution to lung science. In 2006 he was elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and President of the British Association for Lung Research.
Geoff’s scientific legacy has changed the course of lung health on a global scale. He demonstrated that collagen, one of the most abundant proteins in the body and considered hard to break down, was actually turned over rapidly. This was important because although collagen is required to hold tissues and organs together, it can form scars when excessive amounts are deposited, leading to tissues and organs not functioning normally. His discovery opened up the field of anti-scarring research, which subsequently provided the underpinning science which eventually led to numerous clinical trials. As a result, Geoff established himself as one of the world leaders in chronic lung disease research, focusing primarily on lung fibrosis.
Throughout his career, Geoff continued to push the boundaries of science, to expand his learning on a daily basis, embracing new theories, techniques and thinking in his research. His return to Perth in 2012 to take up an appointment as Director of the Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine and Director of the Institute for Respiratory Health at UWA was testament to his passion for remaining at the forefront of scientific discovery.
Many who worked with Geoff acknowledge his capacity to develop individuals and teams. He was instrumental in training a generation of leading respiratory scientists and physicians whose work led to clinical trials in partnership with industry. He graduated more than 50 PhD, MD and Masters Students and inspired many of the world’s leading lung researchers. Through his work in Perth and London, Geoff has made an enduring contribution to the growth of lung and fibrosis research.
A lifelong friend and mentor, Geoff inspired people to become the best they could be. To honour his life and the impact he made, a group of Geoff’s friends and colleagues have established The Laurent Fellowship for Respiratory Health that will inspire the next generation of medical scientists. The objective of the Fellowship is to advance the outstanding work of the late Geoff Laurent in understanding the basis of respiratory disease and in discovering novel therapeutic approaches through collaborative research.
The Laurent Fellowship for Respiratory Health will have attributes that reflect Geoff’s leadership and values. Applicants will be selected for their ability to demonstrate Geoff’s life-long passions for meaningful research, exchange of knowledge, and ability to lead academic partnership - in particular between his academic homes of Australia and the UK.
A collaboration has been established between the universities he was most involved with: UWA and UCL. The basis of the Travel Fellowship is:
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- to have researchers from UCL visit UWA and vice versa, to review progress in research, share best practice and promote further alliances to progress solutions relating to lung disease;
- to encourage talented young scientists to follow Geoff’s example of early international exposure and help them contribute to global solutions in the field of respiratory disease.
The Selection Committee overseeing the award will include some of Geoff’s good friends and longstanding scientific colleagues, with Professor Peter Klinken AC, Chief Scientist for Western Australia as Chair, and Professor Rachel Chambers of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology and Director of the Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair (CITR) within the Division of Medicine at University College London, as a Committee Member.
The fellowship has an open-ended capital target, with an initial goal of $500,000. Funds will be held and administered by the University of Western Australia in an endowed fund. Contributions will be tax deductible in Australia and eligible for Gift Aid donations in the UK. Donations may be pledged over a period of five years.
When considering your gift, I ask that you remember your friend, mentor and his passions. Together, we can ensure that his legacy will not be forgotten.
Thank you
Michael Chaney AO
Patron, The Laurent Fellowship for Respiratory Health
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View the Geoff Laurent Memorial Fellowship conditions
Thank you
The Geoff Laurent Memorial Fellowship Committee acknowledge the generosity of the following donors:
- Michael Chaney
Geoff Potter
Gillian Gallagher and Jamie Price
Vincent Perrott and family
Georgia Charles
Michael Beech
Peter Klinken
Helen Macartney
Fiona Cameron
Vern and Liz Reid
Harley Family
Craig McGown and Marcia Lewis
Jill and Phil Swarbrick
David Carter
Gilbert George
David Craig
- Bryce Denison
Jon and Grietje Doust
Alan and Gwen Robson
Kerry Sanderson
Tony and Felicity Ruse
Douglas and Patricia Young
Peter and Robin Cordin
Robert and Denise Campbell
Sarah Dunsmore
UWA Institute of Respiratory Health
Max Montgomery
Catherine Holmes à Court-Mather
Michael Peterkin
Rob Jewkes
Dick Porter and Tina Jensen
Alison Salt and David MacKinlay
- David McKenzie
John Adcock
Mal Harford
John Turnbull
David Williams
Frank Fergusson
Peter Murphy
Mal Thomas
Richard and Pia Young
Brad Moffat
William Moody
Peter Hood
Florian Irminger
Irmgard Irminger-Finger
Anonymous donors
My donation
For details of how to donate within the UK, please click here (PDF 237KB)
To make your donation via bank transfer, please see details below.
| Name of bank: |
Westpac Perth |
| Account name: |
The University of Western Australia - Donations |
| BSB: |
036-054 |
| Account Number: |
285958 |
| Swift Code: |
WPACAU2S |
| Reference: |
DAR/Your Surname |
NOTE: Please email development@uwa.edu.au when payment has been made to this account.