“I’m very grateful to have been able to compete in this year’s early career research competition and delighted to have won.
“This however, has always been a team effort and I could not have achieved anything without the ongoing support, encouragement and wisdom of my supervisors A/Professor Elizabeth Clarke, Professor Christopher Little and Dr Carina Blaker.”
As the Director of the Murray Maxwell Biomechanics Laboratory, A/Professor Clarke said Dylan’s award represents a significant achievement.
“This prestigious award is a great opportunity to recognise the research achievements of our rising stars and to highlight the fantastic, industry-linked, translational musculoskeletal research underway at the Kolling Institute,” she said.
The award will also highlight the research assessing the suitability of kangaroo tendons to treat ACL injuries.
“As a sport loving country, Australia is seeing a consistent rise in the number of ACL injuries, particularly in children between 5 and 14 years, and a rise in surgical reconstructions,” Dylan said.
“If you were to rupture your ACL today, your surgeon would source a tendon from either your own leg or a tissue donor.
“However, each has inherent limitations which has driven research into alternative graft sources.
“Off-the-shelf synthetic grafts aim to address these issues but release synthetic particles which can lead to spontaneous failure.
“Our team is working with orthopaedic company Bone Ligament Tendon to develop a natural graft using kangaroo tendon which is superior, environmentally sustainable and uniquely Australian.
“We have welcomed the opportunity to discuss this important program of research.”
