Menzies Institute for Medical Research

08/10/2026

Age is no barrier to helping shape life-changing research at Menzies, and this Seniors' Month you can discover how your unique lived experience can contribute.

Join us on 13 October for an inspiring and informative session about how older people can be part of medical research at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research.

You will hear from community members who work closely with researchers and share their lived experience of health conditions to help shape and improve Menzies’ research.

Through their stories, you’ll learn how consumer and community involvement makes medical research more relevant, useful and focused on what really matters.

👉 Learn more and register https://www.utas.edu.au/events/2026/october/seniors-shaping-research-at-menzies

05/10/2026

Did you know that Tasmania has some of the longest joint replacement wait times in the country, and one of the highest rates of opioid prescriptions? But surgery and painkillers aren't the only options for people with osteoarthritis.

This Thursday, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, join Associate Professor Dawn Aitken in person or online for an eye-opening look at how exercise is often underused as a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis, and how physiotherapy programs could ease pressure on our health system while helping people stay active, mobile, and pain-free for longer.

Whether you're managing joint pain yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about better ways to age well, join us for this thought-provoking talk.

Join us for this free event using the link in the comments below.

05/10/2026

This Mental Health Week, the Tasmanian theme "Appreciate the little things" shines a spotlight on the small everyday actions that can support mental health and wellbeing.

For people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), maintaining mental wellbeing can be an important part of managing life with the condition. The free Mental Health and MS online course explores the relationship between mental health and MS through expert insights, practical strategies and lived experience stories.

Developed by our MS Research Flagship, the course is free, online and self-paced.

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

01/10/2026

Fitter kids are less likely to develop depression as adults, according to research led by the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research in collaboration with Adelaide University.

Using data from the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health study, spanning more than 30 years, researchers found children and adolescents with better cardiorespiratory fitness had a lower risk of developing depression in adulthood.

Read more in the comments.

29/09/2026

Today is World Heart Day ❤

Did you know Tasmania has a 13% higher prevalence of heart disease than the national average?

That's why our Cardiovascular Research Flagship team is working to improve heart health outcomes for Tasmanians.

Would you like to learn more about how you can prevent cardiovascular disease?

Join members from our The Flagship team at the COTA (Council On The Ageing) Tasmania 'Ageing Together' Expo this week:

📍 C3 Convention Centre, South Hobart
🗓 Thursday, 1st October
🕙 10am–2pm
🌐 Find more information on the event in the first comment on this post

24/09/2026

Back by popular demand, our Student Experience series returns with new videos about studying at Menzies.

In this video, hear from final-year PhD student Maria Hobbs about her research in urban liveability and quality of life for people with disabilities, and her internship with the Tasmanian Department of Health’s Public Health Services team.

23/09/2026

🌏 More than 3 million people worldwide are now living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

New international research co-authored by our MS Research Flagship’s Professor Ingrid van der Mei highlights the growing global burden of MS and delivers the latest update from the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation's Atlas of MS, the world's leading source of global MS data.

🔗 Read more in the comments
Original paper here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/13524585261479954

22/09/2026

🫀 Calling all curious young minds!
Looking for something different these school holidays? Our research shows that long term heart health starts in childhood, and we want to share that message with our community members of all ages.

The 'Cardio Curious: What Makes Young Hearts Tick?' program will give 12-16 year olds the chance to step into the world of medical research and discover how the heart works.

Hosted by our Cardiovascular Research Flagship, this hands-on program lets participants:
✅ Meet real medical researchers
✅ Explore how the heart and blood vessels work
✅ Learn heart-healthy habits
✅ Use research equipment and take part in interactive activities
✅ Measure heart rate and blood pressure

📍 Hobart
👥 Ages 12-16 years

👉 See the comments to learn more and register your interest. Spots are limited, so don't miss out!

This study has been approved by the University of Tasmania Human Research Ethics Committee (H40877).

21/09/2026

Did you know Tasmania has the highest prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Australia?

To support greater understanding of the condition and its impacts, the free Understanding Multiple Sclerosis online course explores MS, from symptoms and diagnosis to risk factors, disease management and living well.

Developed by the our MS Research Flagship in partnership with MS Australia and MS Plus, the self-paced course features insights from researchers, healthcare professionals and people with lived experience.

Learn more or enrol: 🔗

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.

18/09/2026

Scholarship Opportunity: Ashdown Family Elite Research Scholarship in Medical Research

A generous PhD top-up scholarship is available for applicants seeking to undertake a research project with us or the Wicking Dementia Centre. The scholarship is supported by the Ashdown Family, established through a bequest from the late Mr Neil Clifford Ashdown — a proud University of Tasmania alumnus, respected industrial leader, and Member of the Order of Australia.

This prestigious scholarship honours Mr Ashdown’s lifelong commitment to scientific advancement, innovation, and community service. It supports future generations of researchers working to improve health outcomes through boundary-pushing inquiry.

The Ashdown Family Elite Research Scholarship in Medical Research provides:

- A $10,000 per annum top-up (in addition to the UTAS base stipend)
- Up to $30,000 in additional support funding

Eligibility:
- Open to PhD applicants only (not current candidates)
- Research must focus on neurodegenerative and/or musculoskeletal disease
- Must be based at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research or the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre

Find out more in the comments below.