Menzies Institute for Medical Research

08/05/2026

As we approach our MS Research Flagship's Research with Connections event on Friday 29 May, this is a reminder to book your place.

Bringing together leading researchers and members of the MS community, this free event offers a day of presentations, discussion and connection in recognition of World MS Day.

📍 MyState Bank Arena, Hobart
☕ Lunch and refreshments provided | 🅿 Free, accessible parking

Registrations close Tuesday 20 May.
Register via the link below 👇

Celebrating 10 years of our MS Research Flagship and the power of community connections driving research excellence.

07/05/2026

Yesterday, our Director Tracey Dickson and Community Engagement Officer Caitlin McLeod were visited at Agfest Field Days, Tasmania by young Louis and his family, who took part in some of our fun activities and learned more about our research.

We have digital microscopes where visitors can look at their own skin and hair magnified on screen, and the DNA decoder challenge, where upper primary and high school students can solve riddles with answers hidden in genetic sequences. Visitors can also see the vaccine dispenser technology used to protect Tasmanian devils from facial tumour disease.

From DNA to devil vaccines and everything in between, you can find the Menzies Institute for Medical Research table in the University of Tasmania pavilion (I-J). You can also ask us about our current studies and sign up to participate in vital research to help us create better health and better lives for Tasmanians.

07/05/2026

New research has found that the commonly prescribed drug Diacerein does not improve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.

Led by Associate Professor Dawn Aitken, the national DICKENS trial, the largest of its kind, showed no benefit for pain, function, or inflammation, even in patients most likely to respond.

While the findings are disappointing, the study’s publication in JAMA Internal Medicine highlights the importance of rigorous research in the global search for better treatments.

With osteoarthritis affecting 1 in 5 Australians over 45, researchers say the focus remains on effective strategies such as exercise, weight management, and education, while the hunt for new therapies continues.

Read more in the comments 👇

06/05/2026

Our research shows that being physically active plays an important role in preventing many chronic conditions and diseases. That’s why changes in how people use public transport are of interest to our preventative health and cardiovascular researchers.

From 30 March to 1 July 2026, the Tasmanian Government is offering free travel on buses and ferries across the state. Our researchers are seeking to better understand whether this free fares initiative has led Tasmanians to use public transport more, and how this may be impacting physical activity.

You can support our research by completing our quick 10‑minute survey, open until midnight on 31 July 2026. Participants can also choose to enter a draw to win one of five $100 gift cards.

🔗Access the survey via the comments 👇

This study has been approved by the University of Tasmania Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC ).

05/05/2026

In part two of our Menzies student experience series, Alumnus Dr Xin Lin and first-year PhD student Luca Brodribb share their perspectives on studying at Menzies as domestic research students 👨🏼‍🔬🔬⚕

05/05/2026

❤ To mark Heart Week 2026, we’re proud to share findings from our Cardiovascular Research Flagship’s “Love Your Heart, Love Your Community” project.
More than 100 Tasmanian citizen scientists from urban, regional and rural communities explored how their neighbourhoods support heart health- using the Heart Foundation's 'Community Walkability Checklist'.
Participants assessed their local areas for walkability and wheelability; safety and accessibility; access to fresh, healthy food; opportunities for social connection; and overall wellbeing.
🔍 Key findings
🚶 Walkability varied widely, with gaps in footpaths, crossings and safety features limiting everyday walking.
🥕 Access to fresh, healthy food was inconsistent — particularly in regional and outer‑suburban areas.
🏘️ Well‑designed streets and public spaces supported stronger social connection and encouraged physical activity.
❤️ Heart health was closely linked to local environments — not just individual lifestyle choices.
👥 Citizen science proved a powerful way to engage communities and inform healthier planning decisions.

📘 Read the full report on our website via the link in the first comment below👇

Thanks to funding from Heart Foundation Australia, the project demonstrated how small, simple, place‑based improvements could empower more Australians to keep cardiovascular disease at bay.

01/05/2026

Our free online course Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms and Diagnosis returns for World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day 2026.

Developed in collaboration with Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, and supported by MS Australia and MS Plus, the course explores one of the most important moments in the MS journey - diagnosis.

It’s for anyone with an interest in MS, including people living with MS, family and friends, and health professionals.
✅ Free | Online | Enrol now 👇

Learn about multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, how its diagnosed and the experience of people living with MS in this free short course that has been curated in support of the World MS Day campaign My MS Diagnosis.

29/04/2026

In part one of our four-part student experience series, hear from some of our current and past students about their time at Menzies, why they chose to study with us and what it means to be a part of a community working together to create better health and better lives for Tasmanians 🎓🧬👩🏾‍🔬

27/04/2026

Are you coming to AgFest 7-9 May at Quercus Park?
🤚Come say hi to our friendly researchers at our stall in the University Pavilion.
Read more on the UTAS website https://www.utas.edu.au/about/events/agfest

24/04/2026

Join Tasmania Parkinson's project on 11th May for an inspiring webinar with Professor David Blacker—neurologist, researcher, and person living with Parkinson’s—as he shares the initiatives he’s leading across WA.

Drawing on clinical expertise and lived experience, Prof Blacker will explore:
🥊 The impact of boxing & yoga
📘 Early support clinics for newly diagnosed people
🔬 Updates on the Probucol study
🤝 Peer support, including Doctors with Parkinson’s
🌏 What he’s learned from Parkinson’s communities across WA

We’ll also hear a short update from Prof Michele Callisaya on Parkinson’s research opportunities in Tasmania.
💬 Live Q&A to finish
📧 Send questions in advance to parkinsons@utas.edu.au

Register via the link in the comments

23/04/2026

𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
Menzies, in partnership with MS Australia and MSWA, is running a three-day in-person workshop on Multi-state Modeling of Changes in Longitudinal Health Outcomes.

Who is it for? This workshop is ideal for students, researchers, clinicians, and at staff with a basic understanding of statistics. While some experience with R is helpful, you are welcome to register and attend even if you do not have prior R programming skills — step-by-step guidance and annotated R codes will be provided throughout.

📅 When: Monday 25 May 9am-3pm, Tuesday 26 May 9am-3pm, and Wednesday 27 May, 9am-3pm
📍 Where: Room 205 MSP1, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart
💰 Cost: Free
🧑‍🎓 Certificate of completion: Yes
☕ Morning tea and lunch provided: Yes
📝 Registration required: Yes

Register here 👇
https://forms.office.com/r/V6tKN5HPFa

📧 For more information, email ValeryFuh.Ngwa@utas.edu.au