Menzies exists to perform internationally significant medical research leading to healthier, longer and better lives for Tasmanians.
In 2024, Menzies completed a review of its structure, resulting in the reinvigoration of our research themes.
Perform internationally significant medical research leading to healthier, longer and better lives for Tasmanians
Our research is structured around the following themes, focusing on the major diseases affecting the Tasmanian community. Our flagships in Cardiovascular Research and Multiple Sclerosis Research intersect with all themes.
Brain diseases like dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease affect many Australians and result in movement and memory disorders. Our research aims to guard the nervous system against these diseases, and discover causes and effective treatments.
We work to improve the prevention and management of important health problems affecting large sections of our population, focusing on multiple sclerosis, lifestyle, obesity and mental health.
We aim to improve the prevention and management of cardiovascular disorders in the community, focusing on the risk factors that contribute to heart attacks and stroke.
We work to understand how environmental factors and crises impact human health and healthcare systems, and how to improve the management of respiratory diseases for infants, children and adults.
Our priorities are to understand the genetic and molecular cause of diseases important to Tasmanians, and translate this knowledge to prevent, diagnose and treat. Our focus is on cancer, blinding eye diseases and multiple sclerosis. The Cancer and Genomics theme also includes research into a vaccine for the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour disease.
Celebrating $10 million Medical Research Future Fund investment impact since 2019
Established world’s first MS Stem biobank supporting global research efforts.
Completed MS Family study examining 20 families with high MS incidence.
Conducted groundbreaking TAURUS clinical trials testing magnetic brain stimulation for brain repair.
Launched health economics simulation model for MS intervention assessment.
Delivered award-winning Understanding MS online course to 50,000+ participants across 180+ countries.
Developed comprehensive education platform including MS WorkSmart course and My SymptoMS app.
The MS Research Flagship received a $3 million National Health and Medical Research Council grant to establish the MS Centre of Research Excellence at Menzies, with the aim of making MS a disease without disability. The Centre, launched on the 1st of November 2024, will focus on:
• Identifying and evaluating brain protection and repair treatments for progressive MS.
Identifying and validating biomarkers that predict disease onset and progression.
Identifying gene variants and biological pathways responsible for MS development.
• Strengthening already well-developed collaborations with national and international research institutions, industry and not for profit partners, and the MS community.
• Training the next generation of MS research leaders.
Focused on two key priorities: reducing cardiovascular disease risk and improving patient outcomes.
Established robust governance through Steering Committee and 13-member Lived Experience Advisory Group.
Recruited 300+ Tasmanians for GetBusActive! study examining public transport use and physical activity.
▶ Cardiovascular Research Flagship Academic Lead Professor Seana Gall with Heart Failure Research Nurse and Study Coordinator Kristyn Whitmore.
Launched Tasmanian Parkinson’s Project in collaboration with the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre with 600 attendees and 1,400 recruited participants.
Received $250,000 philanthropic support for global Parkinson’s MOOC development.
Founded the National Parkinson’s Alliance and received $800,000 in government funding to create Australia’s first National Action Plan for Parkinson’s disease.
Evaluated Australia’s first government-funded School Lunch Project across 30 Tasmanian schools.
Led Communities for Walkability project, empowering rural communities to advocate for active environments.
Conducted statewide mental health benchmarking workshops to help shape the 2024 Tasmanian workplace study.
◀ Professor Verity Cleland led the Communities for Walkability and GetBusActive! studies.
Awarded major Wellcome Trust grant for CANBREATHE project studying wildfire smoke impacts.
Secured $3.6 million NHMRC funding for safer automated oxygen therapy for pre-term infants.
Participated in the Lancet Commission on Sustainable Healthcare.
Represented on the World Health Organisation Technical Advisory Group on Economics for Environment, Climate Change and Health.
Hosted community conversations on healthcare sustainability and climate change.
Identified genetic risk factors for developing diabetic eye disease and discovered rare genetic changes that cause cataracts in children.
Developed a viral vector-based vaccine for Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour disease, discovered a genetic mechanism of devil disease resistance, identified potential human drug treatments and received a permit for vaccine trials.
Discovered new epigenetic factors driving brain tumour progression and treatment resistance.
Created laboratory and computational models around genetic, epigenetic and neurobiological factors to understand brain tumour mechanisms and family inheritance risks.
Provided precision medicine for high-risk prostate cancer patients, developed a consumer co-designed genetic testing tool and successfully returned genetic information to over 80 Tasmanian men.
Developed models to study genetic mechanisms in pulmonary fibrosis and conducted consumer consultation to co-design a framework for implementing genetic testing in clinical care.
Professor Tom Marwick was the first Australian to receive an honorary doctorate from Wroclaw Medical University in Poland.
PhD candidate Ella Smalley: Tasmanian Young Achiever of the Year Award.
Professor Kaylene Young: Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award.
Environmental Health Team: Resilient Australia Business Award for Tasmania.
Dr Laura Laslett and Dr Lieke Scheepers ‘Krill oil for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial,’ published in JAMA
Dr Julie Campbell and Glen Henson
‘Estimation of Transition Probabilities from a Large Cohort (> 6000) of Australians Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for Changing Disability Severity classifications, MS Phenotype, and DiseaseModifying Therapy Classifications ’, published in Pharmacoeconomics
Dr Zemene Demelash Kifle
‘MRI-derived abdominal adipose tissue is associated with multi-site and widespread chronic pain,’ published in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
Dr Jack Evans
‘Is public transport a promising strategy for increasing physical activity? Evidence from a study of objectively measured public transport use and physical activity,’ published in The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
Dr Yaxing Meng
‘Blood Pressure at Different Life Stages Over the Early Life Course and Intima-Media Thickness.’, published in JAMA Pediatrics
CLINICAL RESEARCH
Professor James Sharman
‘Blood Pressure Lowering in Patients with Central Hypertension: A randomized Clinical Trial,’ published in Hypertension
Professor Tom Marwick
‘Strain surveillance during chemotherapy to improve cardiovascular outcomes: the SUCCOUR-MRI trial,’ published in European Heart Journal.
Eleanor Clapham
‘Home Blood Pressure Measurements Are Not Performed According to Guidelines and Standardized Education Is Urgently Needed,’ published in Hypertension
Dr Laura Laslett and Dr Lieke Scheppers
‘Krill oil for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial,’ published in JAMA
LABORATORY RESEARCH
Dr William Reay
‘Understanding the Genetic Architecture of Vitamin Status Biomarkers in the Genome-Wide Association Study Era: Biological Insights and Clinical Significance,’ published in Advances in Nutrition.
Phuong Tram Nguyen
‘Low intensity repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation enhances remyelination by newborn and surviving oligodendrocytes in the cuprizone model of toxic demyelination,’ published in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Alastair Fortune and Vimarsha Kodithuwakku
For exceptional performance and contribution to Menzies that aligns with the University’s mission to make a difference for Tasmania, and from Tasmania to the world; and Menzies’ purpose to perform internationally significant medical research leading to healthier, longer and better lives for Tasmanians.
For translation and end user uptake of research that has had a demonstrable benefit to society.
Professor Verity Cleland and Dr Kim Jose
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
General – Chantal Woodhams
For an outstanding contribution to the leadership of Menzies and an exceptional commitment to the delivery of its mission to perform significant medical research leading to better lives for Tasmanians.
Clinical – Dr Annie Brennan
For an outstanding contribution to Menzies through her leadership and management of the InforMS Project.
Laboratory – Dr Jyoti Chuckowree
For exceptional performance and contributions to the Dickson Lab Group.
Population Health – Philippa Scanlon and Leanne Chisholm
For exceptional performance and contributions to Menzies through their outstanding leadership and commitment in the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry – Tasmania.
This recognised Communities for Walkability, a collaborative research project with state and local government authorities that used a citizen science approach. It has improved understanding of how local neighbourhood environments support or hinder active lifestyles in rural communities, and empowered community members to collect data, set shared priorities, and successfully advocate for walkable environments that promote physical activity and better health.
Associate Professor Barbara de Graaff
For recognition of significant and ongoing contributions made to the career and professional development of staff and students.
HIGH-IMPACT PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE PAPERS
In 2024, our researchers received a significant number of grants and fellowships, and collaborated on several others administered through collaborating institutions.
Project title
Devil facial tumour disease vaccine development and field trials
Development of an immunology toolbox to combat emerging marsupial diseases
Be prepared: rapid diagnostics and field-ready vaccines for wildlife
Power-lifting for people with young onset Parkinson’s disease: a feasibility trial
Bringing Precision in Prostate Cancer Medicine to Tasmania
AILDR-PLUS: Optimising the ability of the Australian Interstitial Lung Disease Registry (AILDR) to measure long term outcomes of treatments for ILDs through data linkage
Australian Research Council
Australian Research Council
Andy Flies (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Andy Flies (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Australian Research Council Andy Flies (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation
Cancer Council of Tasmania
Centre for Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis
Michele Callisaya (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Kelsie Raspin (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Ingrid Cox (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
$943,958.00
$470,124.78
$1,065,744.00
$3,000.00
$30,000.00
$98,020.00
Establishing the Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Variant Curation Database Centre for Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis Sionne Lucas (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $34,814.37
The QUOLL-CKD study: Quality use Of pathology for people Living with Chronic Kidney Disease
Department of Health and Aged Care
Oligodendrocytes and TDP-43 pathology in ALS FightMND
Let’s talk about smoke: co-designing effective behaviour change solutions to the winter wood smoke challenge
Reducing the impact of cardiovascular disease through better primary and secondary prevention
Addressing Multimorbidity to Improve Outcomes in People with Heart Failure Who Are Cognitively and Physically Frail
Healthy environments and Lives (HEAL) Network
Heart Foundation
Matthew Jose (School of Medicine) $279,792.00
Catherine Blizzard (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $137,334.00
Sharon Campbell (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $13,775.00
Seana Gall (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $642,799.92
Heart Foundation Quan Huynh (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $652,005.39
Project
Acquiring a 5-colour confocal microscope for research to improve health outcomes in Tasmania
Understanding how Epstein-Barr virus and other factors program multiple sclerosis onset and progression through epigenetic pathways to inform prevention and treatment with risk stratification
Applying OCCAMS molecular razor to study the role of EBV in MS pathogenesis
Treatable Traits in Interstitial Lung Disease (TTRILD) Study: The New Frontier
Implementation and evaluation of a co-designed exercise program to reduce falls in older people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
Implementation of a co-designed, community led exercise program to reduce falls in older people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities: a pilot trial
Implementing a novel model of management for glaucoma using polygenic risk profiling
How safe are new-generation low- and no-silica stone materials?
Australian Preclinical Research ALS (APRALS) Network: a roadmap for effective translation of therapeutics for sporadic MND
Targeting oligodendrocyte signalling for myelin repair
MissMS — finding the missing genetic architecture of multiple sclerosis
Ian Potter Foundation
Medical Research Future Fund
Medical Research Future Fund
Medical Research Future Fund
Medical Research Future Fund
Medical Research Future Fund
Medical Research Future Fund
Mining and Quarrying Occupational Health and Safety Committee
Motor Neurone Disease Research Australia
Multiple Sclerosis Australia
Multiple Sclerosis Australia
Kaylene Young (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Ingrid van der Mei (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Alex Hewitt (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Andrew Palmer (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Michele Callisaya (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Michele Callisaya (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Alex Hewitt (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Graeme Zosky (College of Health and Medicine)
Catherine Blizzard (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Jessica Fletcher (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
$150,000.00
$25,470.00
$2,000,000.00
$169,000.00
$20,384.00
$12,740.00
$278,124.25
$15,659.99
$99,966.96
$222,724.88
Nicholas Blackburn (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $222,463.87
Project
Pioneering innovative methods for personalised monitoring and management of disability in relapsing multiple sclerosis
Ageing better with MS towards evidencebased treatment and better monitoring of older people with MS
Advancing MS Health Economics: Novel Applications, Methodological Developments, and International Collaborations
Identifying MS biomarkers to improve MS diagnosis and treatment
The double burden of wage discrimination for marginalised groups with MS
Preparing for the future and learning from the past: the ISLAND Resilience Initiative
Counting what counts: using a national cohort study to develop, validate and apply an Indigenous Quality of Wellbeing Utility Index and quantifying key determinants of health
A randomised controlled trial in genetically at-risk individuals to determine the efficacy of early laser treatment in preventing glaucomatous vision loss.
No-one left behind — Integrated Physical Health Care for People living with Severe Mental Illness
Using machine learning to predict fire smoke PM2.5 for enhanced fire and health policy in Australia
Let’s talk about air: co-designing air quality and health communication
Multiple Sclerosis Australia
Multiple Sclerosis Australia
Multiple Sclerosis Australia
Multiple Sclerosis Australia
Multiple Sclerosis Australia
National Emergency Management Agency
National Health and Medical Research Council
National Health and Medical Research Council
National Health and Medical Research Council
National Health and Medical Research Council
National Health and Medical Research Council
Valery Fuh Ngwa (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Yi Chao Foong (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Glen Henson (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Xin Lin (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Julie Campbell (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Duncan Sinclair (Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre)
Barbara de Graaff (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Alex Hewitt (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
David Castle (School of Psychological Sciences)
Nicolas Borchers Arriagada (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Penelope Jones (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
$225,000.00
$225,000.00
$225,000.00
$25,000.00
$24,833.14
$597,760.00
$107,157.39
$307,776.00
$916,273.51
$70,000.00
$20,000.00
Project
Automated titration of low-flow oxygen therapy in infants and young children
Centre of multiple sclerosis research translation
Improving the health of at-risk Australians: Co-designing a bushfire smoke health plan
Using genetics to improve the clinical management of common, chronic disorders and enable precision medicine
Safer oxygen therapy for pre-term infants through automated oxygen titration
The Absolute Q digital PCR system from Applied Biosystems to help improve clinical pathways and outcomes for all Tasmanians
Addressing financial challenges in prostate cancer
Establishing the Pulmonary Fibrosis Variant Curation Database
Priority-setting for the co-design of services for people with high healthcare service utilisation
Are literacy skills recorded during history taking in mental health services? An objective assessment of practice
Blood borne virus and sexually transmissible infections testing in Tasmania: a data linkage study
Investigating meta-inflammatory biomarkers associated with chronic plantar heel pain
Primary
National Health and Medical Research Council
National Health and Medical Research Council
National Health and Medical Research Council
National Health and Medical Research Council
National Health and Medical Research Council
Perpetual Trustees
Peter Dargaville (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Kaylene Young (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Sharon Campbell (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
William Reay (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Peter Dargaville (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Kelsie Raspin (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Pulmonary Fibrosis Australasian Clinical Trials (PACT) Network
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Jessica Roydhouse (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
$832,937.33
$2,810,000.00
$19,961.40
$662,040.00
$2,464,047.52
$40,000.00
$300,000.00
Sionne Lucas (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $29,994.10
Tania Winzenberg (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
Amanda Neil (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
$113,575.30
$24,988.00
Nicola Stephens (School of Medicine) $24,000.00
Tania Winzenberg (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
$13,480.12
Project
Selection of Patients undergoing Transcatheter AVR for Rehabilitation
Improving outcomes for Tasmanians diagnosed with lung cancer
Addressing the disease burden and health resource cost of pancreatitis in Tasmania
Prevalence and costs of Parkinson’s Disease in Tasmania and Australia
Genetics Adviser: A Digital Health Intervention to Increase Genetic Testing Uptake in Rural lutruwita/Tasmania
Putting people first: using stories of lived experience to improve health care for Tasmanians who frequently use healthcare services
Developing a computer test to detect and monitor Parkinson’s disease
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
The MPST Foundation Ltd
The MPST Foundation Ltd
Tom Marwick (Menzies Institute for Medical Research)
$24,964.04
Ingrid Cox (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $449,997.00
Richard Turner (School of Medicine) -$2,909.75
Barbara de Graaff (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $16,079.50
Lauren Akesson (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $52,999.12
Tania Winzenberg (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $61,911.00
The MPST Foundation Ltd Jane Alty (Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre) $49,998.00
Discovery of Rare Prostate Cancer Risk Variants to Innovate Gene-Based Clinical Tests Tour de Cure
Discovery of devil facial tumour antigens from new sources for vaccine development
Development of a field ready DFT1/2 oral bait vaccine
Uncovering MHC-I antigens in devil facial tumour cells for vaccine advancement
Towards the development of a vaccine to protect Tasmanian devils against devil facial tumour disease
University of Tasmania Foundation Inc
University of Tasmania Foundation Inc
University of Tasmania Foundation Inc
Wildcare Tasmania
Liesel FitzGerald (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $99,894.00
Andy Flies (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $48,938.00
Andy Flies (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $41,891.00
Ruth Pye (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $45,385.00
Ruth Pye (Menzies Institute for Medical Research) $16,999.99
Staff by gender
PROFESSIONAL
Masters students
Established the 18-member MCIRCLE committee –this stands for ‘Menzies Community Involvement with Researchers, Consumers and Lived Experience’. The committee is embedding consumer involvement at the core of Menzies’ research strategy.
Hosted three community forums with 30 participants. The forums were on:
• Sustainability in healthcare Climate change and well-being Experiences of frequent healthcare users
Supported 15 research projects with integrated consumer involvement
• Launched Pre-Consumer Registry with 49 pre-registered participants
• Consumer and Community Involvement resource database accessed 919 times
Plain Language Workshop helped 20+ PhD students and researchers make research more accessible
Seminar on Co-Authorship in Research to strengthening consumer contributions in academic publishing.
Great Debate: “Your heart, your health; whose responsibility is it anyway?” hosted by ABC’s Bernie Hobbs and attended by more than 200 people
Agfest Virtual Reality: 300 people experienced “Stroke in Virtual Reality” demonstration
• World Stroke Day: focus on the benefit of sport and regular physical activity with Jack the Jumper, the Tasmania Jack Jumpers’ mascot, providing free blood pressure checks and other lifestyle advice to reduce the risk of stroke.
• Health Screening in the Community: Blood pressure monitoring for 500+ Tasmanians across 10 locations. Our blood pressure monitoring program took place in collaboration with colleagues in the University of Tasmania School of Nursing.
Philanthropy played a critical role in advancing research and supporting the next generation of medical scientists. Thanks to philanthropic support, 33 higher degree by research students and researchers benefited from scholarships and fellowships, equipped with the skills and resources needed to drive medical breakthroughs.
Donations fund cutting-edge projects, support emerging researchers, and enable the purchase of vital research equipment. Importantly, this generosity often provides the early-stage funding needed to attract the major national grants that amplify the impact of gifts.
1103 Donors
$1.81M Bequests
33 Philanthropically funded scholarships and fellowships
2,700 Individual gifts
$2.79M Donations
112 Recurring donors
Menzies Board
Dr Bruce Neill (Chair)
Professor Tracey Dickson (Director)
Professor Denise Fassett
Professor Anthony Koutoulis
Ms Pip Leedham
Professor Stephen Tong
Professor Geoffrey Donnan AO
Ms Rebecca Kardos
Mr Edward Kemp
Menzies continues to strengthen its position as a leader in medical research, with expanded community partnerships and sustained focus on translating research discoveries into better health outcomes for Tasmanians and beyond.
For more information about Menzies Institute for Medical Research, visit: utas.edu.au/menzies
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menzies.utas.edu.au