Menzies Institute for Medical Research

22/07/2025

Join our free public talk in Launceston on August 7 where three of our leading researchers - Professor Seana Gall, Professor Michele Callisaya, and Dr Rosie Clark - will share their latest discoveries in heart and brain health, including new insights into Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia, and Motor Neuron Disease.

https://www.utas.edu.au/menzies/get-involved/event-registration-form?bbeml=tp-n5oOa3f-rUKDMQMTwyFO6g.j3ihlpB49iEaIdqUsGc1nbQ.rlVUfZD_d9EOWeDYMxOW2Nw.ld2V-SCyPH0unQxlys1FEkw

22/07/2025

🧠 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex neurological condition with no known cause. It’s the most common acquired chronic neurological disease affecting young adults, typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. Over 33,000 Australians live with MS, with Tasmania recording the highest prevalence in the country.

Our Understanding MS free, online course aims to help raise awareness and deepen understanding, and is designed for anyone with a personal or professional interest in MS. The course returns this September, and enrolments are now open.

Sign up today here 👇
https://ms.mooc.utas.edu.au/i/mssm



Understanding MS was developed by Menzies in partnership with MS Plus and MS Australia, and in collaboration with theWicking Dementia Centre.

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a free online course that aims to improve understanding and awareness of MS worldwide, and empower people to create and contribute to personalised MS management plans.

06/07/2025

Where do you buy your medicine?

The aim is to learn more about online purchasing habits of medicine. We are looking for people 18 years or older to volunteer to take part, regardless of whether you have bought medicine online or not.

To be part of the study click here:
https://redcap.utas.edu.au/surveys/?s=WMLFW7LCAEE9N77T

Taking a disease prevention approach, our research is aimed at improving patient care and clinical outcomes for the community by translating knowledge into clinical and policy actions.

05/07/2025

❤ Do you have type 2 diabetes, or know someone who does? Individuals aged over 65, who live in Tasmania, might qualify for a new study by researchers from our Cardiovascular Research Flagship.

We are conducting a study on the early detection of heart disease in people living with diabetes, by examining cardiac scans and exercise testing to determine if any damage has occurred.

If we find evidence of heart damage, participants may be able to receive exercise training and medications that could help their heart for free ❤

To be eligible you must:
1. Have type 2 diabetes
2. Be aged over 65 years
3. Reside in Tasmania

For more information about this study please follow this link https://redcap.utas.edu.au/surveys/?s=4EK8RA7ND3MY7NJJ
Or you can contact our Research Nurse, Kristyn Whitmore, directly
☎️ 6226-4235
📧cvimagingresearchteam@utas.edu.au

03/07/2025

Please join us at the Multicultural Council of Tasmania 's Womens Expo this Saturday from 11am - 3pm at the Moonah Arts Centre - and we can check your blood pressure for free!

A simple check could help save your life! Did you know that high blood pressure is a leading cause of death in Australia, and world-wide. It can cause strokes, heart attacks and other complications - but most people don't even know they have it.

This event is part of the 2025 blood pressure monitoring program by our Cardiovascular Research Flagship team and May Measurement Month Australia.

27/06/2025

Small steps can lead to big changes. That’s why we’re sharing our top 10 health tips. Simple, research-backed actions many of us can take to stay well.

Donate today and receive a free fridge magnet as a thank-you. A daily reminder to look after your health.

https://bit.ly/4e99SCr

27/06/2025

Chronic plantar heel pain is a condition that causes pain under the heel, especially when taking the first steps after resting or when standing or walking for extended periods. Despite its common occurrence, the exact causes of this pain remain unclear.

This week, PhD researcher, Dr Wardah Malick was pleased to engage with the group at U3A Kingborough and provide an overview of chronic plantar heel pain, the gaps in our understanding of its causes, and how her research aims to address these gaps and contribute to the development of more effective treatment options. This research could pave the way for new insights into the condition and improve treatment strategies.

26/06/2025

The Menzies Institute for Medical Research was pleased to represent consumer advocacy and involvement in medical research at the inaugural Voices for Health Summit held in Launceston this month. Organised by the Health Consumers Tasmania, this event highlighted collaboration and advocacy by bringing together health consumers, community members, health service staff, and government representatives 📣

If you are interested in getting involved with health and medical research through your lived experiences, learn more at https://www.utas.edu.au/menzies/get-involved/consumer-and-community-involvement

24/06/2025

Help shape the future of Australian health and medical research—your voice matters! 💬📣

The Menzies Institute for Medical Research is proud to support upcoming Roundtables in Tasmania as part of a national initiative led The Kids Research Institute Australia, in partnership with the National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC and Consumers Health Forum of Australia.

Join us in person or online to share your insights as we review the draft Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research.

Community attendees receive a $50 thank you. Limited spots available—register your interest today and help us build a stronger, more inclusive future for health research.
https://www.thekids.org.au/roundtables

Taking a disease prevention approach, our research is aimed at improving patient care and clinical outcomes for the community by translating knowledge into clinical and policy actions.

19/06/2025

💙Building Awareness for Motor Neurone Disease💙
Ahead of MND Awareness Day this Saturday, our MND researchers were joined by friends from Motor Neurone Disease Association of Tasmania and the Dementia Centre for morning tea 💙

We also hosted a seminar looking at the initial impacts of the recently launched MND Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and other key MND research taking place at Menzies.
🧠Brain Health is one of our key research themes, focusing on the major diseases affecting the Tasmanian community- including MND, Stroke, Alzheimer's Disease and MS. 🎓 Interested in learning more about MND? You can register for the free MND MOOC here 👉 http://bit.ly/3I3JtJZ

17/06/2025

Last week, we were pleased to take members of the Pandani Walking Club on a tour of our research lab 🔬

Our research thrives when community members are actively interested in our work- be it about new projects, about consumer involvement, research participation or even the really curious scientific questions that even we don't have answers for ❤

Get involved and to sign up for the Bulletin here- https://www.utas.edu.au/menzies/get-involved.

16/06/2025

📢 Our MS Research Flagship's June newsletter is out now!

To find out more about its World MS Day celebrations, new courses, events with the MS community and the lived experiences driving its research forward, go here 👇

Our World MS Day celebrations included a new course and events with the MS community, plus we share more about the lived experiences driving our research and awareness forward.