Menzies Institute for Medical Research

23/01/2026

💬 Come along to Island of Ideas: Beyond Cure, a thought-provoking discussion on the future of care for people with progressive health conditions.

You'll hear from two of our leading researchers, and three colleagues from the Wicking Dementia Centre:

💡Doctor Larissa Bartlett's work focuses on mental health, behaviour change and public-health interventions to reduce dementia risk.

💡Professor Michele Callisaya's research focuses on falls, frailty and neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease, dementia and stroke.

💡Professor Jane Alty uses digital and AI-based approaches to improve early detection, monitoring and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

💡Doctor Joanna Sun explores how physical, social and built environments shape ageing and wellbeing.

💡Pauline Marsh examines how connection with nature supports quality of life, with a focus on the benefits of outdoor environments for people living with health challenges.

Ticket are free but limited. Register now so you don't miss out! https://www.utas.edu.au/events/2026/february/beyond-care

22/01/2026

🎉 We’re thrilled to share that Dr William Reay from our MS Research Flagship has been awarded a 3‑year Translational MS Research Project Grant from the Trish MS Research Foundation.

Dr Reay and his team will lead an innovative project titled “Using genetic data to identify drugs to combat progressive multiple sclerosis.” Their research aims to fast‑track potential treatments by using genetic data to identify existing medications that could be repurposed to slow or reverse MS progression - a faster, more cost‑effective pathway than developing new drugs from the ground up.

🔬 By harnessing genetic insights and testing promising drug candidates in lab‑grown neuron‑like cells to refine the list before moving to clinical trials, this project has the potential to bring new therapeutic options to people living with progressive MS sooner.

A huge congratulations to Dr Reay and his team, and our sincere thanks to the Trish Foundation for supporting this important work.

20/01/2026

🧠 Free online course: Deciding about Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) for MS.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects many Tasmanians, and understanding treatment options can make a real difference for individuals, families and our broader community. Our MS Research Flagship offers a free, self‑paced online course that explains what DMTs are and how they work.

Whether you’re living with MS, supporting someone who is, working in health, or simply interested in learning more about a condition that has a significant impact in Tasmania, this course offers clear, evidence‑based information.

Across three modules, you’ll hear from neurologists, MS nurses, researchers and people with lived experience. The aim: supporting clearer conversations and more confident, informed decision‑making.

✨ Course details:
• Self‑paced learning (1.5–2 hours per module)
• Certificate of completion
• Developed in collaboration with the MS community
• Completely free

🔗 Follow the link below to enrol or learn more

Deciding about Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a free online course that aims to increase understanding about DMTs and help people living with MS make informed decisions about using them.

19/01/2026

Did you catch our researchers on ABC yesterday? 👀 Our Cancer Theme Leader, Associate Professor Phillipa Taberlay, and local medical oncologist and Menzies researcher, Dr Rosemary Harrup, spoke to the ABC as part of a moving story looking at brain cancer.
The pair discussed their work, why brain cancer is so complex to treat and the promising new therapies that may become available in the future.
In the video below A/Prof Taberlay shows how small some of the volumes the researchers are working with - about half of a microlitre!
Sadly, too many Tasmanian families are affected by brain cancer and other cancers. That’s why cancer research is one of our key priorities — and we’re excited about the progress our team is making. We hope these discoveries will one day be applied across many cancer types.
To read the story online, see the first comment on this post.

13/01/2026

👏Congratulations to Professor Bruce Taylor of our MS Research Flagship, who has been named co-recipient of MS Australia's 2025 MS Research Award. This award recognises his more than 25 years of leadership in advancing multiple sclerosis (MS) research and improving outcomes for people living with MS.

Professor Taylor has led national and international studies that have shaped our understanding of MS prevalence, genetics, biomarkers and disease progression. His work has informed earlier diagnosis and improved everyday clinical care, and he is a key contributor to the internationally recognised Understanding Multiple Sclerosis - MS course.

Professor Taylor was humbled to be recognised but stressed that collaboration and community have been at the heart of his career. He said:

“What we do in MS research is only possible because we work together, and none of our work happens in a silo. Collaboration has driven every step forward, and that makes the work incredibly rewarding.”

Professor Taylor shares the award with Professor Helmut Butzkueven from Monash University and Alfred Health.

Read more below 👇

07/01/2026

💓Our Cardiovascular Research Flagship marked its second anniversary in December - you read about that and more in the latest edition of the newsletter right here ➡ www.cardiovascularresearchflagship.createsend1.com/t/j-e-ydyhhujd-l-yk/

06/01/2026

New Year, new skills? Do you know how to perform CPR or use a defibrillator (AED)? If not, why not make it a goal for 2026!
Survival rates of cardiac arrest in Australia are only about 10%, but with CPR and an AED, they can jump to 60–70%!

That’s why our Cardiovascular Research Flagship team re-released Shock Verdict – it's a powerful yet fun video featuring the cast of ABC’s Rake, and Tasmanian cardiologist Dr Paul MacIntyre on how to save a life. Watch it here ➡ www.utas.edu.au/menzies/research/cardiovascular-research-flagship/shock-verdict

Tasmania has a high incidence of cardiac arrests, but sadly, a low rate of bystander
intervention - it's time for us all to learn what you can do to save a life:

✅ Recognise a cardiac arrest
✅ Call 000
✅ Start chest compressions
✅ Use an AED - it's simple and you don't need training!

Most cardiac arrests happen at home -or away from a hospital. Watch the video now, and please help us spread awareness by sharing it with your friends and family. It could save a Tasmanian life!

05/01/2026

🔅Warmer weather has finally arrived here in Hobart today - have you had a chance to relax and read the summer edition of our quarterly Bulletin yet?

We share details from some of our favourite events and highlights exciting projects - find the link in the comments to read and sign up to receive the Bulletin straight into your inbox 📧

31/12/2025

🎊 Happy New Year!

Menzies is back on deck from Monday 5th January.

We look forward to bringing you news of our research impact, community involvement and opportunities to connect with us in 2026.

See you all soon!

21/12/2025

Thanks to all of our supporters for another incredible year of research, community and connections.

📆The Institute will be closed from lunch time on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026.

Have a happy and safe festive season and we look forward to seeing more of you in 2026!

17/12/2025

We’re hiring!
The MS Research Flagship at Menzies is looking for a Consumer and Community Involvement Manager to establish and manage consumer partnerships throughout the research life cycle.

This is an exciting opportunity to:
✅ Lead meaningful consumer partnerships shaping impactful multiple sclerosis (MS) research
✅ Connect communities, researchers and lived experience to drive better MS research and outcomes

If you have a demonstrated passion for consumer and community involvement with a proven track record of cultivating diverse, collaborative, productive and effective relationships in a cooperative and genuine manner to achieve desired outcomes, we’d love to hear from you!

📌Applications close Monday 12 January 2026, so apply now or share this opportunity with someone who would be a great fit. Head to the link in the comments to learn more 👇

17/12/2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been involved with Menzies this year!

It has been a fantastic year working alongside consumers and community members to make health research in Tasmania more relevant, meaningful and impactful. From those who helped lead our consumer involvement plan, to advisory committee members collaborating across programs and projects, to community conversation attendees shaping our research - thank you for your commitment and contributions.

We’re excited to continue this partnership in 2026 and invite all Tasmanians to register and get involved.

👉 Register here:

Consumer and Community Involvement is about recognising the importance of lived experience in research. Get involved in research as a person with lived experience of a health condition, either personally or as a carer, family member, or friend, to help shape decisions today.