Burnet Institute

22/08/2025

Burnet Institute recently signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Department of Health (NDoH) aimed at strengthening co-operation in healthcare and medical science in PNG.

The Burnet/NDoH MoU provides for collaborations to improve health evidence, services and outcomes in accordance with relevant national policies and agendas, including:
• Development and implementation of the National Health Research Policy
• Policy and practice associated with improved disease control including COVID-19, malaria, HIV and tuberculosis
• Policy and practice associated with improved family health including maternal, child and adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, men’s health and nutrition, and
• Policy and practice to strengthen surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance, Antimicrobial Consumption, and Antimicrobial Use

“The NDoH MoU stipulates Burnet’s alignment to support Papua New Guinea’s national research agenda and national health plan to 2030,” Brendan Allen, Burnet Director, Funding Partnerships, said.

The signing ceremony included Mr. Ken Kandap Wai, Acting Secretary for Health; Dr. Fredrick Charles, Burnet Country Director, PNG; Dr. Daoni Esorom, Acting Executive Manager, Strategic Policy, marking the renewed commitment to collaborative health initiatives in Papua New Guinea.

14/08/2025

Congratulations to the 22 winners of Burnet’s Travel Awards for 2025 who’ll share in funds totalling $140,000 to attend international conferences in their respective fields over the coming months.

This year’s prizes include a special new award, the Princess Srinagarindra PhD Scholarship, generously facilitated by Burnet’s Professor Caroline Homer AO.

Professor Homer dedicated prizemoney she received for an award from the Thai Royal Family in 2024 to enable scholarship winner Kara Blackburn to start a PhD focused on midwife-assisted vaginal births in low- to middle-income countries.

“I was fortunate to be supported to do my PhD as a clinical midwife more than 25 years ago, and I really want to support the next generation of midwives to have the same opportunity,” Professor Homer said.

Burnet Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC said the travel awards are an essential part of Burnet’s work.

“It's not enough to just do the work in the laboratory or field research and write it up and publish it, you need to be a very active participant in the global world of research in person for what's going to come that you couldn't have predicted even when you started,” Professor Crabb said.

“This event really is a chance to see the impact of philanthropic support and to hear how these experiences are shaping the future of our research.”

Find out more about the awards and all the award winners …
https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/special-focus-on-thailand-in-burnet-travel-awards/

13/08/2025

Burnet and NDRI drug epidemiologist Professor Paul Dietze spoke with ABC Australia about harm reduction following the release of new data from the Coroners Court of Victoria.

Professor Dietze said there is strong evidence that supervised injecting facilities save lives and reduce non-fatal overdoses, and stressed the importance of making other effective responses readily available.

These include naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose and treatments such as opioid agonist therapy.

“We are really concerned about the potential for synthetic opioids to emerge in the Australian drug market, and so drug checking [services] may play a really vital role in surveillance and early warning around those substances,” he said.

12/08/2025

Burnet Institute and the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCD PHA) in Papua New Guinea have formalised their partnership with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding at the NCD PHA offices.

The agreement was signed by Dr Robin Oge, Chief Executive Officer of NCD PHA and Dr Fredrick Charles, Country Director of Burnet Institute PNG, marking a significant step in strengthening collaboration for improved public health outcomes in the nation’s capital.

The signing was witnessed by Dr Amos Lano, NCD PHA Director of Public Health Services, and Dr Shahidul Islam, Burnet's Deputy Country Director Programs, PNG.

This MOU reinforces both organisations' shared commitment to enhancing health service delivery, fostering research and supporting initiatives that address priority health challenges in Papua New Guinea.

Find out more at https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/new-mous-to-advance-healthcare-and-medical-science-in-png/

11/08/2025

The Burnet Institute Port Moresby team was proud to take part in the recent Islands Petroleum Colour Run under the inspiring theme "We are One".

The Islands Petroleum Ltd Colour Run is a fun, community-focused event where participants run or walk through various colour stations, getting showered with colourful powders along the way.

It's a joyful celebration of unity, generosity and the enduring national spirit, bringing together people from all walks of life in a burst of colour and camaraderie.

Amidst laughter, bright hues, and the shared energy, the team ran/walked in solidarity with the wider community, contributing to a cause bigger than themselves.

Their participation helped raise vital funds for life-saving medical equipment, reflecting Burnet’s commitment not only to health research and service, but also standing alongside the community in creating a healthier, stronger Papua New Guinea.

10/08/2025

Congratulations to the winners of Burnet’s 2025 Shark Tank grants to support early conceptual work by early career staff and students.

The grants are designed to support a scoping exercise, literature review, symposium, technical training, or a workshop to bring people together or to develop or explore an idea or advance an area of expertise in a cutting edge-technique.

This year’s Shark Tank grants worth $5,000 each have been awarded to:
* Aimee Altermatt, Research Assistant, Modelling and Biostatistics
* Alysha Literski, PhD student, Malaria Virulence, Drug Discovery and Resistance
* David Wang, Research Assistant, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention
* Schroeder, Senior Research Officer, Justice Health; Alcohol and Other Drugs; Infectious Diseases Implementation Science
* Stephanie Routley, Research Office; Arbovirology; Vector-borne Diseases and Tropical Public Health

Thank you to everyone who pitched at Shark Tank this year, and find out more about the winners' projects ... https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/theres-treasure-in-burnets-shark-tank/

08/08/2025

With support from TB Alliance and the Australian Government, Burnet is working with Papua New Guinea’s National Tuberculosis Program to roll out a new oral six-month treatment for drug-resistant TB — now available at pilot sites including Daru Provincial Hospital in Western Province.

We’re pleased of the progress so far, and to be assisting in offering people diagnosed with drug-resistant TB a faster, safer, and more effective pathway to recovery.

For more, read: https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/burnet-supports-papua-new-guinea-in-rolling-out-new-treatment-for-drug-resistant-tuberculosis/

06/08/2025

Burnet Research Pharmacist Kate Mackie presents our EXPAND-C project on the opening day of the Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference in Melbourne.

EXPAND-C places pharmacists at the centre of testing and treatment for hepatitis C.

"Today's discussion brought together more than 50 pharmacists, community organisations and members, clinicians and professional associations to harness energy for pharmacist-led hepatitis care," said Burnet Deputy Program Director for Disease Elimination, and President of Hepatitis Australia Professor Joe Doyle.

"There was energy and enthusiasm for joint education, resourcing and advocacy to expand access to testing and treatment."

EXPAND-C is one of the many ways Burnet is working towards the elimination of viral hepatitis.

Find out more about and our collective efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis by focusing on Real People, Real Action and Real Results ... https://www.hepatitis.org.au/

Liverwell Monash University Harm Reduction Victoria (Australia) Pharmacy Guild Of Australia - Victoria Branch Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

06/08/2025

A recent study found that Generation X (born between 1962 and 1982) is facing the highest risk of methamphetamine-related death in Australia.

Oisin Stronach, lead researcher and Burnet PhD candidate, said the findings reflect a combination of early drug exposure, changing drug markets, and age-related health issues.

In contrast to Gen X, Gen Z may be engaging in less risky drug use overall — possibly due to better education, changing social norms, and increased visibility of drug-related harm through social media.

“There’s some evidence in other research among young people that they are using drugs less, drinking less alcohol, and engaging in less risky behaviour in general,” he said.

Learn more via InSight+:

Experts call for urgent action to reduce stigma, improve treatment, and address rural inequities. Generation

05/08/2025

Clear information can help people to prepare for emergencies like fires, floods and storms. An exciting new study from Burnet Institute aimed to create tailored emergency resources with multicultural communities in regional Victoria.

Burnet researchers worked with NEMA - North East Multicultural Association based in Wangaratta, Victoria, local emergency service providers and community members to co-design communication resources for emergencies like fires, floods and storms.

A series of videos featuring community experiences and practical tips was created to convey three key messages – connect with the community; learn about local emergencies; and start an emergency plan – translated into three languages.

Find out more at: https://www.burnet.edu.au/news/multicultural-resources-for-regional-emergencies/

29/07/2025

Great to see MPs from all sides at State Parliament for today's Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, ready to stand with people living with viral hepatitis and pledging to support more accessible treatment and local care. Liverwell Harm Reduction Victoria (Australia)

29/07/2025

From all of us at Burnet Institute, thank you!

Donations towards our end of financial year appeal are already making a real impact.

Thanks to hundreds of generous supporters from our online community, we raised $150,000 to strengthen our HIV programs in Fiji.

We couldn’t have done this without you.

Below is a heartfelt thank-you message from Dean Cassano, Burnet senior international health project officer.