The Fulbright Gala, held in the Great Hall at Parliament House, Canberra brought together scholars, leaders and influencers to recognise this year’s Fulbright Scholars.
Professor Iona Novak, Dr Madison Paton and Professor Michael Fahey – the clinical and research leaders behind Australia’s first compassionate umbilical cord blood infusion in April 2025 – delivered a joint keynote address. The address recognised their substantial contributions towards progressing research and access to cord blood treatment for cerebral palsy, supported by their three Fulbright Scholarships. This helps raise awareness of CPA’s work and the promise of cord blood treatment as a treatment option for cerebral palsy in front of a distinguished national audience.
Iona previously held a Fulbright scholarship in 2013, during which she helped establish collaborative stem cell research networks, while Madison’s 2024/25 Fulbright Fellowship saw her spend 6 months at Duke University in the USA, building expertise in cord blood science and advocacy.
In Australia, CPA helped support the first compassionate cord blood infusion for a child with cerebral palsy in 2025, marking an important milestone in clinical translation of this emerging science.
CPA’s leadership in this field reflects our mission to drive prevention, new treatment pathways and cures for cerebral palsy. As our researchers continue to build international partnerships and evidence, we are also working to ensure that equitable access to promising therapies becomes a reality for families here in Australia and beyond.
This work come from long-term investment in research and global collaboration, and it’s only possible thanks to the support of our community.
If you’d like to support CPA’s ongoing research and the efforts to expand cord blood access and accelerate translational clinical trials, please consider making a gift to the CPA Research Foundation. Your support helps bring promising therapies closer to families who need them.
