QIMR Berghofer

12/06/2026

🌿 Help shape the future of mosquito monitoring in Queensland 🦟

Recently QIMR Berghofer and Metro South Health hosted the first Mozzie SHIELDS Community Workshop!

Led by Associate Professor Gordana Rašić at QIMR Berghofer, the Mozzie SHIELDS project is funded by the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund and delivered in partnership with Metro South Health, QUT (Queensland University of Technology) and Brisbane South State Secondary College. Together, we aim to design a state-wide mosquito surveillance network powered by citizen science.

Backyards across Queensland will be critical to detecting invasive disease-carrying mosquito species early and acting quickly to protect our communities.

Nine enthusiastic community members — including experienced citizen scientists, past and present science teachers and those simply curious about science — took part in the session.

Together, we explored questions like:
📃What would motivate you to join a citizen science project?
🌴Would you feel comfortable setting a mosquito trap in your backyard?
🧑‍🤝‍🧑How can researchers better connect with people who want to be involved?

✅ Mozzie SHIELDS still needs your input!

We’re planning more co-design workshops with at-risk communities in Townsville, Rockhampton and across Queensland throughout 2026 and 2027.

If you're interested in contributing to real-world research and helping shape this important program, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can build a safer, more informed community. 💚



Queensland Health Queensland Department of Education

11/06/2026

My name is Professor Bryan Day and 20 years ago, I was starting out as a young researcher.

Back then, hardly anyone else in Australia was working in brain cancer research. I didn’t know then how evasive a cure would be. Brain cancer truly is like super villain.

That’s how I’ve come to think of the disease because it’s so hard to fight.

In that time, there have been more than 1,200 clinical trials around the world trying to find new drugs and therapies for brain cancer. Almost all of them have failed.

That’s not for lack of trying.

But finally, the tide is turning.

New drugs are being designed that have the capability of passing the blood-brain barrier.

One of them, called CT-179, has shown so much promise that it’s about to be trialled with patients for the first time in Australia. This presents an amazing opportunity to learn and accelerate treatment for brain cancer patients.

But we need to move fast. You can help us raise vital funds for medical research: https://donate.qimrb.edu.au/don

11/06/2026

🧠 39 new genes linked to anxiety, proof that anxiety exists on a spectrum 🧬

QIMR Berghofer Complex Trait Genomics Team Head Dr Brittany Mitchell and the team at King's College London have published the most comprehensive study into the of anxiety to date, revealing just how many genetic associations are linked to anxiety symptoms.

Details of the study, analysing the genetics of 700, 000 people with European ancestry, was published in Nature Human Behaviour and show as a biological continuum, ranging from normal stress responses through to a severe .

There were also genetic correlations with 64 of 105 traits tested, including physical health conditions, highlighting the strong connection between mental and physical health.

It’s hoped this research will open new avenues for understanding risk and tailoring future therapeutic interventions based on quantitative analysis rather than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ anxiety diagnosis.

Read more about the research here: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/whats-on/news/new-genetic-links-with-anxiety-symptoms-uncovered-in-largest-study-to-date

10/06/2026

Mosquito Control Team Head Adjunct Associate Professor Leon Hugo was featured in The Conversation Australia + NZ recently, offering his perspective on new research into mosquito behaviour and insect repellents.

Read: https://theconversation.com/mosquitoes-learn-to-link-the-smell-of-deet-with-a-blood-meal-new-study-283695

In the article, Leon explored emerging findings from overseas showing that mosquitoes can be conditioned to be attracted to DEET.

DEET has long been considered a gold standard insect repellent - widely used, highly effective and a critical tool in protecting against mosquito-borne .

However, the research highlights that there are still important gaps in our understanding of how works, and that mosquito responses may be more flexible than previously thought.

This doesn’t change current public health advice that repellents like DEET remain a vital against bites and the diseases they carry.

10/06/2026

Congratulations to Associate Professor Michelle Lupton on being awarded the Australian Dementia Network ( ) Mid-Career Researcher Award at the Australian Dementia Research Forum last week.

This recognition highlights Michelle’s significant contributions to advancing research, as well as her commitment to improving outcomes for people living with dementia and their families.

Her work continues to drive meaningful progress in understanding, diagnosing and treating this complex condition.

Find out more about Michelle’s work here: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/researchers-and-labs/neurogenetics-and-dementia

09/06/2026

Cardiac Bioengineering Team Head Professor James Hudson has made Courier Mail’s list of most influential scientists and tech entrepreneurs, coming in at #33.

The recognition highlights the growing impact of his research focused on developing human heart models and new therapeutic approaches to treat cardiovascular disease. James co-founded Dynomics, a startup to discover new heart failure drugs, and earlier this year, with PhD student Andrew Laskary, launched biotech company Ibnova Therapeutics to advance the development and commercialisation of stem cell-based treatments for heart failure.

Being included in a statewide power list reflects not only James' leadership and innovation, but also the broader role QIMR Berghofer plays in driving scientific discovery, economic growth and health outcomes across Queensland.

Congratulations James on this well-deserved recognition.

Find out more about James' work here: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/researchers-and-labs/cardiac-bioengineering

09/06/2026

🧬Cancer Bioinformatics Australia Symposium success! 🎉

Congratulations to QIMR Berghofer scientists Drs Nic Waddell, Jasmin Straube and Olga Kondrashova, Associate Professor Quan Nguyen, Kiran Gnana and their colleagues across the national organising committee on a successful third annual Cancer Bioinformatics Australia Symposium.

Held last week at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Education Centre, the symposium was an opportunity to present and discuss the latest advancements and achievements in cancer bioinformatics.

There were also high-profile invited speakers, selected oral and poster presentations.

08/06/2026

We at QIMR Berghofer join the global research community in mourning the loss of Professor Richard Scolyer AO.

Richard’s work fundamentally transformed melanoma and skin cancer research and diagnosis. He was an extraordinary advocate for medical research and leaves a lasting impact on our community.

Even while fighting an aggressive brain cancer, Richard selflessly volunteered to trial new approaches to treatment. His incredible generosity has generated many new insights for scientists that we all hope will directly benefit other people with cancer in the future.

Our sincere condolences to Richard’s family, friends and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the deeply sad news that our cherished colleague Prof Richard Scolyer AO passed away yesterday 7th June 2026.

Richard was a renowned pathologist and a world authority on skin cancer and melanoma diagnoses. His broad knowledge of and passion for pathology, along with his generous mentorship and teaching, have inspired many and transformed melanoma and skin cancer research and diagnosis across the globe.

Richard was an integral and esteemed part of Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and the melanoma community for over two decades. His commitment to and advocacy for his profession, coupled with his enthusiasm for life and his genuine humanity, resonated broadly, and has left a lasting positive impact.

“I am deeply saddened to lose such a cherished colleague. Richard was a truly extraordinary pathologist - the 'pathologists' pathologist' - who also made generous time for clinicians navigating complex diagnostic cases, understanding that an accurate tissue diagnosis was critical to patient care. His knowledge was vast, his skill exceptional, with an unparalleled eye for accurate tissue diagnoses, and the precision to apply decades of experience where it mattered most.”

“He shared his expertise widely: through consultation on external specimens, through diagnostic and classification frameworks now used worldwide, and as a devoted teacher and mentor. Richard has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working alongside him.” - Professor Georgina Long

MIA is proud to have instituted the Richard Scolyer Pathology Fellowship, honouring Richard's legacy, and his commitment to shaping the next generation of melanoma pathologists.

Our thoughts are with Richard's family during this difficult time, especially his wife Katie and children Emily, Matthew, and Lucy.

As we mourn the passing of Richard, we also reflect on a remarkable life that touched so many. Please consider sharing a tribute message for Richard on our MIA website> https://bit.ly/3QnnYsh

Richard's legacy will live on, continuing to inspire us all, as we continue working toward our vision of zero deaths from melanoma.

05/06/2026

Representatives from QIMR Berghofer’s RAP Working Group were proud to attend the UQ Poche Centre National Reconciliation Week 2026 event this week — an important opportunity to listen, learn and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in health and research.

A powerful and truth-filled Welcome to Country by Baringa Barambah, cultural songs by Fred Leone and a performance by the Wagga Torres Strait Islander Dance Company offered powerful examples of the diversity of Australia’s First Nations.

Then a panel featuring Professors Jackie Huggins and Tom Calma, moderated by Dame Quentin Bryce explored the every day actions that help support reconciliation.

Attendance at events like this is one of the ways the Institute is delivering on its Reconciliation Action Plan, and strengthening relationships and deepening our understanding as we work towards better health outcomes for First Nations communities.

Thank you to the UQ Poche Centre of Indigenous Health for bringing people together for such a meaningful session during National Reconciliation Week.

04/06/2026

Can you help HA reach 2,000 Registry participants?

The Australian Haemochromatosis Registry helps improve understanding of diagnosis, treatment access, health outcomes and the lived experience of people with haemochromatosis.

If you are 18 or older with a confirmed diagnosis, your experience can help strengthen research, advocacy and future care pathways.

Join here: registry.ha.org.au