Menzies School of Health Research

28/03/2026

Menzies Timor-Leste, hamutuk ho Ministériu Saúde, Action on Poverty, no World Mosquito Program, sai uma-na’in ba Workshop Enserramentu ba Implementasaun Programa Wolbachia iha Dili, Timor-Leste.

Eventu ida-ne'e marka marku importante ida iha ita-nia esforsu koletivu sira atu prevene moras sira ne'ebé hada'et hosi susuk hanesan dengue, Zika, chikungunya, no Yellow Fever liuhosi métodu Wolbachia.

Workshop Enseramentu ne’e halibur parseiru sira hodi fahe rezultadu, subliña impaktu inisiál sira no lisaun sira ne’ebé aprende ona, no esplora futuru prevensaun dengue nian iha Timor-Leste, hodi rekoñese importánsia husi parseria forte no apoiu komunidade nian.

Eventu ne’e lidera husi S.E. Vise Ministru Saúde ba Fortalesimentu Institusionál, Sr. Jose dos Reis Magno, hamutuk ho reprezentante Ministru sira, dirijente no reprezentante governu nian hanesan Ministériu Administrasaun Estatal, Adjuntu Embaixadór Austrália, Autoridade Munisípiu Dili, Ministériu Agrikultura, Pekuária, Peskas no Floresta, Institutu Nasionál Saúde Públika, no mós parte interesada programa xave sira husi Menzies, Action on Poverty no World Mosquito Program.

Apoiu hosi Governu Austrália liuhosi Parseria sira ba Rejiaun Saudúvel ida nomos hosi Fundasaun Grupu Macquarie, susuk sira ne'ebé lori Wolbachia husik ona iha área sira ne'ebé maka rejista ona kazu númeru dengue aas.

Eventu ida-ne'e reflete kompromisu hodi harii reziliénsia komunidade nian ba tempu naruk hasoru dengue no hametin sistema saúde públika liuhosi solusaun sira ne'ebé orienta ba siénsia, no lidera hosi lokál.

Menzies Timor-Leste, together with Ministériu Saúde, Action on Poverty, and the World Mosquito Program, hosted the Closing Workshop for the Wolbachia Implementation in Dili, Timor-Leste.

This event marked an important milestone in our collective efforts to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever through the Wolbachia method.

The Closing Workshop brought partners together to share results, highlight early impacts and lessons learned, and explore the future of dengue prevention in Timor-Leste, acknowledging the importance of strong partnerships and community support.

The event was led by H.E. Vice Minister of Health for Institutional Strengthening, Mr Jose dos Reis Magno, along with Ministers, leaders and government representatives relating to State Administrators, Australian Ambassador, Dili Municipal Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, the National Institute of Public Health, as well as key program stakeholders from Menzies, Action on Poverty, and the World Mosquito Program.

Supported by the Australian Government through Partnerships for a Healthy Region and the Macquarie Group Foundation, mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia have been released in areas that have historically recorded the highest burden of dengue cases.

This event reflects a shared commitment to building long-term community resilience against dengue and strengthening public health systems through science-driven, locally led solutions.



Palácio das Cinzas World Mosquito Program Action on Poverty Australian Embassy, Timor-Leste INSP Timor-Leste

27/03/2026

Shout out to Menzies researchers and cardiac sonographers Jacqui Williamson and Lucy Law who visited the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) team to progress the development of training for rheumatic heart disease screening using echocardiograms - an ultrasound for the heart.

Jacqui and Lucy are part of the Menzies team who have developed course content to train Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote health workers to do heart scans using handheld echocardiography equipment, to screen for, and detect rheumatic heart disease.

This work forms part of Menzies NEARER SCAN study and has been made possible thanks to support from Rotary Club of Kiama, Rotary International and a Medical Research Futures Fund (MRFF) grant.

It was great having the team from Menzies School of Health Research visit us last week to collaborate with us on ultrasound education - watch this space!

26/03/2026

Join our team | Darwin-based role

Are you passionate about storytelling and making an impact through communication?

Join our Communications team and help bring important health research to life. Working closely with researchers and project teams, you’ll uncover compelling stories and translate complex ideas into clear, engaging and accessible content across multiple platforms.

From shaping our storytelling approach to developing website and corporate content, your work will help ensure our research connects with - and resonates across - diverse audiences.

To find out more about this role:https://careers.menzies.edu.au/job-details/query/Communications+Officer+%28Content%29/in/Australia/9716836/

25/03/2026

Great to see the Menzies team at the first Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre showcase at Parliament House.

Led by Menzies' Associate Professor Deb Russell, the team highlighted the strength of digital tools for accessibility, efficiency and coordination of primary care, to help reduce avoidable travel and reliance on fly‑in, fly‑out services.

Bringing together policymakers, health leaders, researchers and industry, the showcase was a great opportunity for Menzies researchers and collaborators to contribute their experience in co-design and digital health for rural and remote communities.

Pictured at the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre showcase: Karina Coombes, Vishnu Khanal, Leander Menezes (CEO Pintupi Homelands Health Service), Deborah Russell, Kureisha Wilson and Matt Hare.

Read more: https://digitalhealthcrc.com/digital-health-crc-showcases-evidence-to-inform-accessible-and-equitable-technology-enabled-healthcare-at-parliament-house/

24/03/2026

A special shout out to Dr Ella Meumann, recognised for her work advancing infectious disease surveillance.

She uses genomic sequencing to make disease tracking faster and more accurate in the Northern Territory, strengthening surveillance of key bacteria, including Burkholderia pseudomallei (which causes melioidosis), invasive Group A Streptococcus (which can be associated with necrotising infections and septic shock), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (which causes tuberculosis).

Knowing how diseases spread and move helps communities and health services better prevent and respond to these diseases.

World Tuberculosis Day reminds us of the importance of innovation in tackling infectious diseases.

At Menzies School of Health Research, Dr Ella Meumann is leading a 2025 Investigator Grant exploring how genomic sequencing can transform infectious disease surveillance in the Northern Territory.

Dr Meumann’s research uses genomics to track and trace tuberculosis—alongside melioidosis and invasive Group A Streptococcus—strengthening public health responses and boosting genomics capability in northern Australia.

23/03/2026

Kapa’as tebes atu hare’e Prof Nelson Martins foin lalais ne'e reprezenta Menzies Timor-Leste iha Simeira Rezisténsia Antimikrobiál (AMR) 2026 iha Sydney, hamutuk ho peritu globál, peskizadór no polítiku sira ne'ebé servisu atu aselera asaun hasoru AMR.

Hanesan parte ida husi Simeira, Prof Martins subliña nesesidade atu haforsa sistema vijilánsia sira, promove uzu antimikrobiál ne'ebé responsavel no hari’i parseria sira ne'ebé forte hodi apoia resposta nasionál ba AMR iha Timor-Leste.

Nia mós ko'alia kona-ba impaktu ekonómiku sira iha sistema saúde no oinsá instabilidade finansial hasa’e dezigualdade, partikularmente iha komunidade remota sira, iha ne'ebé ai-moruk esensiál sira sempre hotu uluk. Nia partilla oinsá pasiente sira tenki buka alternativa privadu sira ne'ebé karun ka simu tratamentu sira ne'ebé ladún efetivu, iha ne'ebé kontribui ba AMR. Atu rezolve ida-ne'e, Prof Martins subliña presiza duni teknolojia sira ne'ebé apropriadu tuir nesesidade kontestu, jestaun terapeutiku ne'ebé forte liu no polítika ekuidade nian hodi proteje populasaun sira ne'ebé vulneravel.

Iha sesaun prinsipál enseramentu nian, Prof Martins hamutuk ho painél ida husi oradór internasionál ne'ebé ida-idak ko'alia kona-ba relasaun maka'as entre vasinasaun, seguransa saúde globál no AMR, no papél krítiku ne'ebé vasina sira iha hodi prevene infesaun sira no hamenus uzu antibiótiku ne'ebé la nesesáriu.

Obrigado Prof Martins ba fahe ita-bo’ot nia matenek, kontribui ba diálogu kona-ba AMR no ajuda forma solusaun sira ne'ebé relevante ba konfigurasaun rekursu ki'ik sira hodi hasoru dezafiu globál ida-ne'e.

Great to see Prof Nelson Martins recently represent Menzies Timor-Leste at the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Summit 2026 in Sydney, joining global experts, researchers and policymakers working to accelerate action against AMR.

As part of the Summit, Prof Martins highlighted the need to strengthen surveillance systems, promote responsible antimicrobial use and build strong partnerships to support the national response to AMR in Timor-Leste.

He also spoke about the economic impacts on the health system and how unstable financing deepens inequality, particularly in remote communities, where essential medicines disappear first. He shared how patients are then forced to seek costly private alternatives or accept less effective treatments, which contribute to AMR. To address this, Prof Martins emphasised the need for context-appropriate technologies, stronger stewardship and equity first-policies to protect vulnerable populations.

At the closing keynote session, Prof Martins joined a panel of highly regarded international speakers who each spoke about the powerful connection between vaccination, global health security and AMR, and the critical role vaccines have in preventing infections and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.

Thanks Prof Martins for sharing your expertise, contributing to the dialogue on AMR and helping shape solutions relevant to low resource settings to tackle this global challenge.

19/03/2026

Today, we recognise National Close the Gap Day, which advocates for health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Though our research, we are committed to working in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to help tackle longstanding health inequities, address community priorities and support the implementation of community-driven solutions.

This year’s campaign focuses on the power of community voices - read the report below.

It’s National Close the Gap Day!

We’re proud to launch the Close the Gap Campaign 2026 Report — Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing.

This year’s report is clear: When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities lead, outcomes improve — but without urgent legislative and public sector reform, progress will remain fragile and unequal.

Grounded in community leadership and solutions, the report calls for resourced, community-led action and government accountability to deliver real change.

Be part of it:

🎥 Join the online launch TODAY
📖 Read the report👉🏿 closethegap.org.au
📢 Share the call for action

Together, we can close the gap for justice, equality and healing.

12/03/2026

We’re proud to share that a new phase of the Manayingkarirra (Maningrida) Healthy Women’s Project is underway, which is continuing to support women to live well, and prevent and manage diabetes.

In this next phase, the Menzies-led DIABETES across the LIFECOURSE: Northern Australia Partnership, alongside Mala'la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation and the community will co-design resources relating to type 2 diabetes in local Aboriginal languages.

Learn more about this, and the success of the first phase of this project which has seen more than 140 women engaged in activities - like fortnightly health education and physical activity sessions.

The project has a clear focus - supporting women in Manayingkarirra to lead strong, health lives.

Read more: https://www.menzies.edu.au/page/News_and_Events/Latest_News/

Thanks to Diabetes Australia for their support of this new project phase through a Community Priorities Grant.

11/03/2026

Menzies Timor-Leste sai uma-na'in ba Workshop End of Fleming Fund Project (2019–2026), ne'ebé marka impaktu durante tinan hitu atu haforsa vijilánsia Antimikrobiál liuhusi aprosimasaun One Health.

Fundu Fleming investe iha haforsa sistema vijilánsia AMR liuhusi portofólio subvensaun nasaun, subvensaun rejionál sira, no bolsu estudu sira ne'ebé jere husi Mott MacDonald no projetu globál sira ne'ebé jere husi DHSC.

La’os de’it hanesan eventu enserramentu ida, maibé workshop ne'e sai hanesan oportunidade signifikativu ida atu reflete fali kona-ba atinjimentu prinsipal sira, fahe deskobrimentu peskiza importante sira no selebra kolaborasaun forte ne'ebé hari’i iha setór saúde umana, saúde animál, no laboratóriu.

Abertura ofisialmente husi Dr. Raimundo dos Santos, Diretór Jerál Servisu Hospitalar ba eventu ne’e halibur reprezentante governu, parseiru no peritu tékniku sira, hamutuk hodi haforsa esforsu ba kombate rezisténsia antimikrobiál iha Timor-Leste.

Menzies Timor-Leste hosted the End of Fleming Fund Project Workshop (2019–2026), marking seven years of impact on strengthening Antimicrobial surveillance through a One Health Approach.

The invests in strengthening AMR surveillance systems through a portfolio of country grants, regional grants, and fellowships managed by Mott Macdonald, and global projects managed by DHSC.

More than a closing event, the workshop was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on key achievements, share important research findings, and celebrate the strong collaboration built across human health, animal health, and laboratory sectors.

Officially opened by Dr. Raimundo dos Santos, General Director of Hospital Services the event brought together government representatives, partners, and technical experts, united in strengthening efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance in Timor-Leste.

Palácio das Cinzas The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

10/03/2026

Congratulations to Dr Donna Ah Chee on her appointment as CEO of Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT)!

A proud Bundjalung woman and highly respected health leader, Dr Ah Chee brings decades of experience, including more than 26 years with the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, where she served as CEO for over a decade.

As a former Menzies Board Member, and the 2024 recipient of the Menzies Medallion, her dedication to advancing Aboriginal health has been formally recognised, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with her and AMSANT to strengthen Aboriginal health and wellbeing.

09/03/2026

BALANCE THE SCALES | The UN Women Australia’s theme for International Women’s Day is - calling for greater equality so that every woman is safe, heard and free to shape their own life.

Menzies Senior Research Fellow Dr Michelle Fitts, and the Head Health and Healing team highlight this through their work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI) including concussion from violence.

Their work calls for the need to have improved care and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have experienced this injury - which is supported by existing research, and the current Head Health and Healing project.

Learn more about this project: https://www.menzies.edu.au/page/Research/Indigenous_Health/Preventive_health/Head_Health_and_Healing/

25/02/2026

Sending a special shout out to Menzies Project Officer in the DIABETES across the LIFECOURSE: Northern Australia Partnership, Seileshia Calma Goodrem, whose deeply personal reflection on weight stigma and working in health research has been published in MJA Insight+.

Sharing her experience so openly gives us a meaningful first-hand understanding of the challenges people face when navigating social settings, infrastructure and health research.

Read her powerful insights below.

This week in InSight+

Seileshia Calma Goodrem shares her experience of weight stigma while working in health research

Read more: https://buff.ly/Y6YVjPG