More than two years after his death from motor neurone disease (MND), Professor Justin Yerbury AM continues to inspire his community and leave a lasting legacy on the Illawarra region he loved. Born and raised in the Illawarra, Professor Yerbury was a determined young basketballer who achieved his dream of playing for the Illawarra Hawks in the 1990s. However, a ticking time bomb in his family's DNA changed everything. Over just six weeks in 2002, he lost his mother, grandmother and aunt to MND, followed later by his sister, uncle and cousin.
Rather than be defeated, he channelled his grief into a powerful drive for discovery. Leaving professional sport behind, he turned to science, determined to understand and one day cure MND. After earning his PhD from the University of Wollongong (UOW) in 2008, Professor Yerbury became a respected molecular biologist whose research gained international recognition. His work focused on understanding the molecular process that causes the clumping of proteins in nerve cells, the pathological hallmark of MND.
His leadership of the Yerbury Lab at UOW attracted a growing team of scientists equally committed to the cause. Professor Heath Ecroyd, a UOW researcher in neurodegenerative disease, recalls being encouraged by Professor Yerbury to broaden his focus. 'Justin came up to me and said, 'Have you ever thought about studying MND?' He had no hesitation in asking, and his passion was contagious,' Professor Ecroyd said. 'He inspired so many researchers to join the cause and, in doing so, brought together an incredible pool of research talent.'
Today, the Yerbury Lab is home to an exceptional team, including Dr Luke McAlary, Dr Christen Chisholm and Dr Jeremy Lum, who are building on the scientific and human foundations laid by their mentor. Finding a cure for MND remains one of medical science's toughest challenges. About 10 per cent of cases are linked to genetics, while the rest have no clear cause. The disease involves multiple biological mechanisms, making it difficult to pinpoint how it begins, or how to stop it.
Researchers in the Yerbury Lab are exploring MND from many angles - investigating proteins, genes and cells - to unravel its many threads. They are developing new imaging tools, improving diagnostics and collaborating globally to find effective treatments, all from the state-of-the-art facilities at UOW. But it's a race against time and funding in the face of a disease known for its devastating speed.
At the heart of the lab is the resilience and hope that defined Professor Yerbury himself. 'The lab is full of people who wanted to join Justin on this journey and make a difference,' Professor Ecroyd said. 'Fulfilling Justin's purpose and building on his legacy keeps us going. I'm so proud of how the team continues to push forward.' Supported by a proud Illawarra community, the Yerbury Lab stands as a testament to how one person's promise can ripple through generations, bringing hope to families affected by MND everywhere.
