Two Hunter Medical Research Institute [HMRI] researchers have won grants of $55,000 and $57,000 to further their research.
Dr Myles Young and Dr Joel Petit were named among 40 AMP Foundation "tomorrow makers" for 2021.
Dr Young, an HMRI and University of Newcastle researcher, will use the funds to provide physical and mental health programs to more men, particularly those in regional and remote areas.
He is creating online versions of interlinking men's health programs. These include the Self-Help Exercise and Diet using Information Technology (SHED-IT) program, Workplace POWER, and SHED-IT Recharge, which specifically targets men with low mood.
He said the programs give men tools to feel mentally well, lose weight, become more active and improve their diet, without having to "eat like a rabbit or completely overhaul their lifestyle".
Dr Petit, a University of Newcastle PhD student, will use his funding for research on a bowel cancer test.
Having lost two young friends to the disease, he is personally motivated to develop a blood test for colorectal cancer.
He believes his blood test could also reduce the number of time-consuming and often cost-prohibitive colonoscopies. That's because the test has the potential to be a less off-putting and more effective alternative to current screening tests.
Dr Young is a lecturer in the University of Newcastle's School of Psychology and Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition. In 2019, he was named Bupa Health Foundation's national emerging health researcher of the year.
Dr Petit is completing his PhD in medical genetics at the University of Newcastle, as well as undertaking general surgical training with the Hunter New England Local Health District. In 2016, he completed his master's degree in medicine (paediatrics/pain medicine).
His research, based at HMRI, focuses on novel circulating tumour DNA biomarkers for the detection of early-stage colorectal cancer.
AMP's Tomorrow Fund offers $1 million in grants annually to Australians doing great things.
The grants are designed to help talented Australians take their passion projects to the next level.
"Every year, hundreds of hard-working and innovative individuals apply for grants from the AMP Tomorrow Fund," foundation chief Helen Liondo said.
"The beauty of this unique program is that it's open to any Australian from any part of Australia. All they need to have is an unrelenting commitment to what they're trying to achieve and to contribute to our community."
