Translational medicine more than ‘bench to bedside’ research
Translational medicine is usually thought of as taking medical discoveries from the lab and applying them to patient care: or ‘bench to bedside’ research. But it is a much broader concept than that.
“Translational medicine also includes the application of science to policy, and for me, is driven by community need,” says Associate Professor Aparna Lal, the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Tony Ayers Award. The Award celebrates translational medicine, and for the first time, recognises research that aims to protect people and our planet.
With experience in multiple scientific disciplines, Lal approaches health from a systems perspective.
“My first degrees were in Zoology and Wildlife Science, as I had a fierce desire to protect nature,” says Lal.
Originally volunteering for the Wildlife Protection Society of India, Lal witnessed the fundamental need of poachers to support their families, and the struggle that ensued between conservation and public health. It also highlighted to Lal how top-down solutions to complex problems fail when enforced by those without real world experience.
This experience prompted Lal to undertake a PhD in Public Health where she explored how environmental and social processes interact to influence disease transmission.\
Now, as a researcher at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH), Lal focuses on predicting disease patterns in response to environmental change. Lal’s innovative research identifies the unequal impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on populations, and how community health and well-being can be improved by policies that promote environmental restoration and mitigate climate change.
Invited by the Mogo Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), Lal co-led the design and implementation of a water-sampling regime with Indigenous Rangers to test for contaminants following bushfires. The LALC then shared this with the NSW Environmental Protection Agency and the Eurobodalla Shire Council to develop policies that protect the river system for community well-being.
Lal says that one of the challenging aspects of working on these cross disciplinary projects is finding a common goal that addresses concerns for both human health and the environment. As such, research not only needs to be translated for policy makers, but between scientist and health professionals as well. Lal is thrilled this year’s Award celebrates this collaboration.
“I believe that translational medicine is a team sport,” she says.
Working with environmental scientists, psychologists, visual communication specialists, data analysts, and health practitioners, Lal aims to lead research that fosters collaboration between researchers, stakeholders, and end-users to deliver high-impact research outcomes.
“We can’t look at biodiversity loss in a silo if we want to make prevention and preparedness a priority. We know that climate extremes are impacting biodiversity loss, and this in turn will influence the risk of emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. We have to address all these aspects together,” says Lal.
In the case of Lal’s research, the important step is translating the evidence for policymakers.
“I could sit in my office running statistical models, which I do enjoy, but there would be no translational aspect to that,” says Lal.
“Policies need to be relevant to the community and their needs and based on robust science. Policy makers need to widen their approach to consider climate change policy that includes public health.”
“It’s about connecting the dots, and finding solutions as opposed to constantly reframing the risk. I think we've done enough of defining the problem. We need solutions.”
**The Tony Ayers Award is awarded for Excellence in Research in Translational Medicine and is named in honour of long-term John James Foundation Board member Mr Tony Ayers AC.