Biomedical engineer Dr Jiao Jiao Li has taken out the 2024 Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science for her research using the healing powers of stem cells to treat chronic diseases like osteoarthritis.
Dr Jiao Jiao Li. Photo: Andy Roberts
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that wears down cartilage and bone in the joints. With no known cure, this debilitating condition causes pain, mobility problems and increased risk of death for more than 2.2 million Australians.
Medical researchers around the world have been exploring stem cell therapies as a new avenue to try to treat the condition.
“Current clinical trials of stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis may show short-term improvements, but struggle to show consistent results or sustained, long-term benefits, even after multiple injections,” Dr Li explains.
“Rather than using stem cells directly, I’m examining the potential of the nano-scale packages they produce."
"These nano-scale packages contain a wealth of bioactive factors which I’m looking to optimise as an off-the-shelf ‘magic potion’ for treating osteoarthritis."
- Dr Jiao Jiao Li
"In parallel, I’m looking into biomaterial solutions to effectively deliver these into patients.”
Dr Li is continuing to refine her techniques using a multi-disciplinary approach.
“It’s exciting to be working at the frontiers of stem cell science, where we’re bringing together the diverse fields of engineering, nanotechnology, computational science and regenerative medicine to help people in need,” she says.
Her promising research follows on from her earlier work in co-inventing a ceramic-based bone scaffold to help regrow sections of bone using a patient’s own resident stem cells. It has been licensed by an Australian orthopaedics company to translate to the clinic.
She hopes her new discoveries will follow a similar trajectory to be progressing to clinical studies in the next eight years.
Dr Li’s innovations have attracted a slew of major national awards, now including the 2024 Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science.
This followed from her 2023 Metcalf Prize from the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia, only awarded to one male and one female stem cell researcher each year, and the Australia China Alumni Award for Research and Science; as well as her 2022 Premier’s Prize for NSW Early Career Researcher of the Year (Physical Sciences) and NSW Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year.
“I’m so proud to have won a Eureka Prize this year," Dr Li says.
"I’m passionate about increasing gender and cultural diversity in STEM careers, and love talking to young people about how rewarding it can be."
“When I do school outreach, I like to let kids know that they’re just like stem cells. A stem cell can grow into any kind of cell in the human body.
"Likewise, kids can choose to be whatever they want to be when they grow up – irrespective of their gender and skin colour.”
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Chris Turney, paid tribute to the outstanding achievements of Dr Li.
"The Eureka Prizes are Australian's top science awards, celebrating the brightest minds and world-changing innovations. Jiao Jiao's wonderful work in regenerative medicine is having such a significant impact on those with bone and joint diseases, and also inspiring the next generation of researchers," he says.
"Her amazing success is a fabulous example of the crucial role universities play in advancing research and improving lives in our communities."
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes is Australia's most prestigious science and technology awards, with 19 categories research, innovation, leadership, sustainability and science education.
UTS had four other finalists in the 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes:
Associate Professor Cherine Fahd - Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion: The CLOAK Project
Associate Professor Marian-Andrei Rizoiu - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia: Behavioural data science combating misinformation
Professor Qilin Wang - Eureka Prize for Environmental Research: Sustainable wastewater treatment
Dr Wei Wei - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher: Advancing environmental biotechnology
Dr JJ Li was presented her Eureka Prize by legendary Australian science journalist Robyn Williams. Photo courtesy Australian Museum.