Former Taree residents Barry and Joy Lambert were conferred with Honorary Fellowships at the University of Sydney's Great Hall in recognition of their support for medicinal cannabis research.
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Mr and Mrs Lambert are recognised for their ongoing support and advocacy for research into the efficacy and safety of what some people hope might be the next breakthrough treatment.
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The couple was conferred with Honorary Fellowships by Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence at the Faculty of Medicine and Health graduation ceremony.
The citation referred to their "substantial contributions to research excellence at the University through the establishment of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics".
In 2015, Mr and Mrs Lambert pledged $33.7 million to the University of Sydney for research into the therapeutic use of medicinal cannabis at the Brain and Mind Centre. Their gift is being used to fund the Lambert Initiative.
The citation reads: "Barry and Joy's continued financial and ideological support has transformed the University's research efforts in this area and allowed the University to lead Australia and the world in the science of cannabis and cannabinoids. The Lamberts' support has enabled the creation of state-of-the-art facilities that are now thriving with the research activity of around 40 researchers.
"Both Barry and Joy were driven by the need to alleviate the life-threatening seizures experienced by their granddaughter, Katelyn, who was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome at the age of two. Because of her treatment with medicinal cannabis, Katelyn can now go to school and experience life as a typical eight-year-old."
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