Prominent Wollongong scientist Professor Justin Yerbury paid tribute to others while celebrating the news he'd been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year's honours list.
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"I am humbled by the recognition; the AM is a great honour," he told the Mercury. "The award is a reflection of the effort and support of many people, without who my work would not be possible.
"First and foremost nothing would be possible without my wife Rachel, not even life itself. My daughters Talia and Maddy, family and friends have also been great supporters of my work.
"I also have an amazing research team and some close-knit collaborators that have all gone above and beyond what would normally be expected of them."
A Professorial Fellow in Neurodegenerative Disease at the University of Wollongong and the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Prof Yerbury is an international leader in Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research.
He continues that research, even while he lives with the disease - leaving him paralysed, unable to speak nor breath independently. He communicates using eye-gazing computer technology.
"The University of Wollongong and IHMRI have been tremendous supporters of me and my work, they have actively removed all barriers for me to keep working," he said.
"Lastly, the people of Wollongong and more recently people all across the country have been great supporters of our work, ranging from letters of encouragement to substantial donations."
Once a professional basketballer for the Illawarra Hawks, Prof Yerbury started a science degree at UOW after the death of several family members from MND.
He was diagnosed with the disease in 2016, and in 2018 underwent a tracheostomy and laryngectomy which extended his life expectancy and enabled him to continue his research.
"As a field, we need to better understand the molecular causes of MND in order to discover or design effective drugs," he said.
"I hope that our work has increased our understanding of the molecular processes that result in MND. Time will tell. We aim to use our knowledge and understanding to find effective drugs, and we are actively pursuing a few leads.
"Since my diagnosis, I can no longer get my hands dirty in the laboratory, and I do miss it. But I am lucky to have a team of staff and students who work tirelessly to perform the hands-on work in the lab. They are really the engine that drives our discoveries."
Prof Yerbury said there were around 2000 Australians living with MND.
"Each person and their family's situation is unique. The thing that unites us all is the hopelessness that an incurable disease brings," he said. "But I want to change that, I want a better life for people with MND, and I want to make MND a treatable disease."
UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings congratulated Prof Yerbury on his AM.
"Justin's visionary leadership and creative approach to research has driven fundamental new understandings of MND," he said.
"His dedication and tenacity in finding a cure for MND, and his bravery and determination in overcoming personal and family tragedy, are an inspiration for all Australians."
Professor David J Adams, IHMRI's CEO and executive director, also paid tribute to the scientist and his team for the national recognition.
"Justin has demonstrated enormous commitment to his career in research for MND while also living with the devastating disease, this is a well-deserved award," he said.