Research X-Factor

The Sydney Institute for Women, Children and their Families (the Institute) is proud to present our 2025 Seed Funding event, the Research X-Factor!

Earlier this year, the Institute announced its third Seed Funding Program, with seed grants of up to $20,000 available for Institute affiliates working in Sydney Local Health District.

Nine applicants have been shortlisted after a competitive review process, and these finalists will pitch their research and quality improvement ideas to a judging panel, for their chance to win a share of $80,000. The judging panel will decide who has the Research X-Factor, and award funding on the day.

The Research X-Factor event will be opened by the District’s Chief Executive Deb Willcox AM, with Dr Amelia Lewis serving as Master of Ceremonies. Highlights include a keynote address from Professor Michelle Barakat-Johnson and presentations from past seed funding winners. Morning tea will be provided, with an opportunity for networking.

All are welcome to join us in person, or to attend online via live streaming.

Master of Ceremonies

Dr Amelia Lewis

Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist, Disability Specialist Unit, Community Paediatrics, Sydney Local Health District

Amelia is a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist with the Disability Specialist Unit in Community Paediatrics at Sydney Local Health District (the District). She holds a Bachelor of Liberal Studies (Honours), a Doctor of Psychology, a Master of Philosophy (Psychology) and a Master of Health Policy. Amelia is an experienced clinician researcher with particular interests in neurodevelopmental conditions and models of care for paediatric assessment and diagnosis. She enjoys mentoring other allied health staff who are undertaking their own clinical projects, and is a firm believer that any health worker with passion and a curious mind has what it takes to be a great researcher!

Keynote speaker

Professor Michelle Barakat-Johnson 

Conjoint Professor of Wound Care and Skin Integrity, and Clinical Lead Skin Integrity and Wound Care, Sydney Local Health District and the University of Sydney

Michelle is the conjoint Professor of Wound Care and Skin Integrity and Skin Integrity Clinical Lead at Sydney Local Health District (the District) and the University of Sydney (USYD) Faculty of Medicine and Health. She is also the Director of the Tissue Repair Institute (a newly established institute at the District and USYD), which is dedicated to advancing research in skin integrity. 

Michelle is the founder of the Wound Care Command Centre at the District, which is expanding to service across NSW. She received an NHMRC Partnership Grant in 2024 to expand on the Digital Wound Model of Care. With over two decades of experience in wound care clinical settings, research and leadership, Michelle specialises in innovative, evidence-based approaches that improve patient outcomes, enhance clinical practices, and reduce healthcare costs. 

Past seed funding winners and their projects

Dr Arianne Sweeting

Low carbohydrate breakfast for improved gestational diabetes mellitus management.

Jenni Jones

Reducing the effects of smoking and vaping ​on pregnancy and newborn outcomes: Exploring the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of clinicians and women.

Dr Sarah Taki and Danielle Jawad

Taking health literacy and cultural context into consideration in developing a web-based Healthy Beginnings program for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Finalists and their pitches

Clinical Professor Alexander Holden    

Toxic Smiles: Misinformation, Motherhood, and Distrust of Dentistry.

Dr Belinda Bruce

INFiLL-II: Implementation and iNvestigation of maternal FLuid balance in Labour – Improving documentation and Insight.

Louise Treloar                        

ANTICIPATE: ANTEnatal Care Improvement for Prediction and Treatment of Adverse Pregnancy Events – “Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for Prevention of Pre-eclampsia and Pre-term Birth”.

Rebecca Karmas                    

Sparkling Smiles for Brighter Beginnings- Turning early decay detection into daily protection — expanding supervised toothbrushing in priority early childhood centres to stop cavities before they start.

Rheannwynn Sneesby          

Safe and Calm: Safe supports for parents and their crying baby.

Dr Romy Ehrlich

Comparing outcomes of a trial of labour after caesarean with an elective caesarean section in women who have had one previous caesarean delivery.

Rowena Yamazaki                 

Training youth co-researchers to codesign a participatory study in food and agency at a Sydney Youth Health Service.

Dr Tamara Morris                  

Evaluating Youth-led Nicotine Cessation Strategies for Young People Attending Schools and Youth Health Services in Sydney Local Health District.

 Dr Tina Barez                          

The SLIP-OUT Trial: Satisfaction with Labour Induction using oral Prostaglandins: OUTcomes for women and babies.