13/06/23 - Clinical Professor David Blacker’s recognition as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to medicine and neurological research is an honour truly deserved, said Perron Institute Chief Executive Officer, Steve Arnott.
“Professor Blacker is an inspiring role model, renowned for his dedication to improving the lives of people suffering from neurological conditions, and we are fortunate and proud to have his services as the Perron Institute’s Medical Director.
“As one of Australia’s leading neurologists, he has made an outstanding contribution in expanding scientific knowledge in this field.”
Professor Blacker AM is a Clinical Professor of Neurology at The University of Western Australia and a consultant neurologist and stroke physician at Sir Charles Gairdner and Hollywood hospitals.
In 2018, he received the Stroke Foundation Award for Excellence in Stroke Care Delivery in WA.
As a consultant neurologist and clinical research fellow at the Perron Institute, Professor Blacker has contributed to stroke rehabilitation projects including psychological approaches with mindfulness, direct current brain stimulation, robotics and virtual reality.
He also has an ongoing collaboration with the Perron Institute’s Experimental Stroke group (Professors Meloni and Knuckey) working on neuroprotection.
“The current neuroprotective studies with Argenica Therapeutics, if successful, will open the way for a huge advance in stroke management, protecting the brain from deterioration while patients are transferred from remote sites to centres where intervention therapies can be performed,” Steve Arnott said.
Professor Blacker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five years ago and began researching innovative techniques to slow its progression. He led the FIGHT-PD study of non-contact boxing exercise with Golden Gloves boxing champion Rai Fazio, showing the beneficial effect of high-intensity training for people with early-stage Parkinson’s.
“Professor Blacker is an outstanding advocate for the fight against this disease and many others,” Steve Arnott said.
“All at the Perron Institute congratulate him on his recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours 2023.”
Pictured: Clinical Professor David Blacker AM at the Perron Institute.
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