Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Menzies Institute for Medical Research The Menzies Institute for Medical Research performs internationally significant medical research leading to healthier, longer and better lives.

See what's possible when lived experience shapes research: https://youtu.be/FSonBQqIV3E Menzies is renowned internationally for its innovative research that utilises the unique competitive advantages Tasmania offers, including our island geography, stable population and our extensive genealogical records. We are at the forefront in the fight against disease and intensely committed to this global c

all for action through ongoing advances in research excellence. We focus on a range of common diseases within the community including Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, dementia, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, cystic fibrosis, mental health, multiple sclerosis (MS), osteoporosis, mot or neurone disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and renal disease. Menzies is tackling these diseases head on, bringing us one step closer to the vision of a healthier future.

The rise of bird flu has brought renewed attention to wildlife vaccination. But what does it take to fund, develop and a...
13/08/2026

The rise of bird flu has brought renewed attention to wildlife vaccination. But what does it take to fund, develop and approve a vaccine for wildlife?

The CSIRO is interviewing Associate Professor Andy Flies on exactly this topic, using the Tasmanian Devil vaccine program as a case study in what it takes to move from concept to real-world deployment.

🗓 Join the free webinar 1pm next Tuesday18th
🔗 Details in the comments

What makes a child go blind?👁 Professor Kathryn Burdon leads our Eye Genetics group. She is using genomics to uncover th...
12/08/2026

What makes a child go blind?

👁 Professor Kathryn Burdon leads our Eye Genetics group. She is using genomics to uncover the causes of childhood cataract and glaucoma. Her GenCat Project is identifying the genes behind childhood cataracts, paving the way for genetic tests that give families answers and guide treatment.

Hear her story at the Menzies Research Roadshow.
Tickets are free, get yours using the links in the comments 👇

On Sunday, our researchers brought their work out of the lab and into the hands of prospective students for UTAS open da...
11/08/2026

On Sunday, our researchers brought their work out of the lab and into the hands of prospective students for UTAS open day.

🩸 We had Dr Xin Lin who was showcasing his research on proteins in blood that may help diagnose Multiple Sclerosis earlier

🚌 Dr Iresha Withanage ran an activity about her research on access to public transport and how that influences our health.

💪 Bedru Jemal Abafita, musculoskeletal researcher, did grip strength testing.

🧠 Dr Dino Premilovac shared his research on using ultrasound to deliver drugs to the brain.


From blood biomarkers to sound waves that cross the blood-brain barrier, it's a snapshot of just how varied medical research careers can be.

Know someone who'd thrive in a research career? 👇 Find out about Honours, Masters and PhD opportunities with us - link in the comments!

The world's population is getting older. By 2030, one in six people globally will be aged 60 years or over, according to...
10/08/2026

The world's population is getting older. By 2030, one in six people globally will be aged 60 years or over, according to the World Health Organization.

As researchers work to better understand healthy ageing, it's important that people have access to evidence-based information to support their health and wellbeing.

For people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), ageing can bring unique challenges and opportunities. That's why our MS Research Flagship developed Ageing Well with MS, a free online course offering practical information and evidence-based strategies to support healthy ageing, wellbeing and quality of life.

The course is free, online and self-paced.

Learn more or enrol today: https://ms.mooc.utas.edu.au/i/ageingf

This Sunday, we’re participating in the University of Tasmania’s Hobart Open Day. Join us and dive into the fascinating ...
07/08/2026

This Sunday, we’re participating in the University of Tasmania’s Hobart Open Day.

Join us and dive into the fascinating world of medical research! Learn more about what we do and why we do it, chat with our researchers and take part in hands-on activities that demonstrate a few of our recent discoveries as part of the Biomedicine Research Expo.

If you've ever been interested in trying medical research yourself, come and talk to our researchers about doing honours or a PhD at Menzies.

Find the Hobart Open Day Program in the comments below.

It’s no secret the more regional you live, the harder it can be to access all the healthcare you need. That’s why Assoc...
07/08/2026

It’s no secret the more regional you live, the harder it can be to access all the healthcare you need.

That’s why Associate Professor Quan Huynh is researching how to improve access to high-quality cardiovascular care in regional Tasmania.

His work is looking at how innovative models of care, using Telehealth, technology-enabled health services and community partnerships can ensure people have access to healthcare, no matter where they live.

🎤 Join us in Launceston or Burnie to hear Quan’s talk Bringing Better Heart Care Closer to Home: Improving Health in Regional and Remote Tasmania.

🎟️ Tickets are free, book your seat using the links in the comments.

From bolsters to barbells, which exercise is the best and most affordable for treating knee osteoarthritis? Our PhD stud...
06/08/2026

From bolsters to barbells, which exercise is the best and most affordable for treating knee osteoarthritis?

Our PhD student, Bedru Jemal Abafita, recently presented the findings of his research on the effectiveness of yoga compared to strengthening exercises for people with knee osteoarthritis.

He found that yoga was just as good as strengthening exercises, and even showed additional benefits in some clinical, quality-of-life, and mood outcomes. It was also found to be a bit less expensive, making it a cost-effective, safe, and evidence-based treatment option for people with knee osteoarthritis.

Whether you’re a gym ju**ie or a yoga master, one thing is clear: exercise is one of the most effective therapies for treating osteoarthritis.

Point to Pinnacle registrations open tomorrow at 7am and this year, you can choose Menzies as your charity.Choosing us m...
31/07/2026

Point to Pinnacle registrations open tomorrow at 7am and this year, you can choose Menzies as your charity.

Choosing us means every dollar you raise goes straight to research tackling the diseases affecting Tasmanians most, like cardiovascular disease, cancer and MS.

You might also spot some of our researchers out on the course, running, walking, and fundraising for a great cause.

🏔️ Sign up here: https://pointtopinnacle.com.au/

Grab a spot, grab a mate, and let's take on the World's Toughest Road Half Marathon together. 💪

See you on the course! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

🎙️ Our MS Research Flagship's Professor Bruce Taylor is featured in the latest episode of MS Australia's Raw Nerve podca...
30/07/2026

🎙️ Our MS Research Flagship's Professor Bruce Taylor is featured in the latest episode of MS Australia's Raw Nerve podcast.

In a discussion with previous MS Australia Award recipients, Professor Taylor reflects on decades of MS research, the growing role of people with lived experience in shaping research, and the possibility of making MS preventable.

The conversation also explores the impact of recognition, the strength of the MS community, and the many ways people contribute through research, advocacy, nursing, fundraising, volunteering and lived experience.

🎧 Listen: https://www.msaustralia.org.au/raw-nerve/85/

📷 Photo: MS Australia

🦴Tasmania has some of the longest joint replacement wait times in the country, and one of the highest rates of opioid pr...
28/07/2026

🦴Tasmania has some of the longest joint replacement wait times in the country, and one of the highest rates of opioid prescribing for pain. But surgery and painkillers aren’t the only path forward for people with osteoarthritis.

Join us at the Menzies Research Roadshow and hear from Associate Professor Dawn Aitken about her work to improve osteoarthritis care across Tasmania.

Dawn founded the IMPACT-TAS project to increase access to physiotherapy and digital healthcare for Tasmanians living with osteoarthritis.

In her talk, Dawn will explore:
✅ Why exercise is one of the most underused first-line treatments for osteoarthritis
✅ How physiotherapy programs could ease pressure on our overstretched health system
✅ Practical ways to stay active and pain-free for longer

Dawn is one of three speakers featured at this event, all sharing research to improve the health of Tasmanians.

Ticket are free but limited – register using the link in the comments 👇

Address

17 Liverpool Street
Hobart, TAS
7000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61362267700

Website

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