Aldwin Suryo-Rahmanto wins a Poster Presentation Prize

Aldwin Suryo-Rahmanto, a PhD Student of the Free Radical Group, has won a prize for the best poster presentation at the Biennial Faculties of Health Research Conference held at the York Fairmont Resort at Leura in the Blue Mountains.

Aldwin’s research, entitled ‘Mechanistic studies of cellular damage during and post-photodynamic therapy’, won the best poster prize award for the category of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, presented at the conference dinner.

Aldwin’s work investigates the role of hydroperoxides at a cellular level in inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, an accumulation of fats within the arteries that cause heart attacks and strokes. By examining the process by which oxygen generates hydro- peroxides, Aldwin was able to discover how these hydroperoxides cause cellular damage. “The fact that the hydroperoxides cause cellular dysfunction is important since these compounds are known to be generated under inflammatory conditions, such as during the development of atherosclerosis”, said Aldwin.

Cardiovascular disease is currently the single biggest cause of preventable death in Australia. Other HRI scientists also presented at the conference including Amanda Lane, Omar Akram, Lani Li, Eleanore Liong and Joanne Tan of the Free Radical and Gene Regulation Research Groups.

The conference, consisting of 14 different areas of study, is the premier biennial gathering for Health Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing postgraduate research students held by the University of Sydney. Over 300 MSc and PhD students who attended the conference, showcased their research findings in a thematic poster format. Some of the best medical research from the university was presented through a series of 9 symposia, 2 workshops and a master class training session. The conference provided researchers, students and supervisors from various disciplines with a chance to meet and actively participate in a fruitful exchange of ideas.

The York Fairmont Resort in the Blue Mountains, where the conference was held.