May 2005

Epilepsy work honoured

A leading epilepsy specialist has been honoured for his ground-breaking work.

Professor Sam Berkovic from Austin Health and the University of Melbourne has been awarded a Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science.

The academy comprises Australia’s leading scientists and recognises research excellence.

Fellowships are awarded every three years to contributors to the world’s scientific knowledge.

Professor Berkovic’s work at the Epilepsy Research Centre at the Austin led to a revolutionary change in basic research in epilepsy.

It resulted in radical changes in the clinical management of hereditary forms of epilepsy and new insights into their underlying biology.

Professor Berkovic received his Fellowship at an official ceremony at the academy in Canberra on May 4, where he also presented his current research into epilepsy.

He also attended a formal dinner at Parliament House in Canberra—in recognition of all the 16 newly-elected Fellows to the academy—on May 5.

The Fellowship allows Australian researchers to collaborate with overseas colleagues to exchange ideas and gain information and knowledge of techniques, advancing Australian research and enhancing the Fellows’ international recognition.

The Epilepsy Research Centre, directed by Professor Samuel Berkovic, is Australia’s leading clinical epilepsy research group.

It comprises several research teams from the University of Melbourne, the Brain Research Institute and Austin Health, working together to better understand the causes and treatment of epilepsy.

The centre has a strong international reputation in many areas, including the genetics of epilepsy, imaging techniques looking at both the structure of the brain and how it works, surgical treatment and psychological aspects of epilepsy.

The centre also incorporates the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, a coordinated clinical service providing specialist care to all patients with epilepsy—both adults and children.

Although much of the focus is on difficult-to-control epilepsy, the centre also developed a First Seizure Clinic, enabling rapid diagnosis and appropriate management from the onset of the seizures.