From the Director

As the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic comes to a close, what are you reflecting on?

I keep returning to the importance of inflammation, not just as it relates to COVID-19, but its role in so many diseases, and the equally important part it will no doubt play in future pandemics. I’m also motivated by the incredible potential resulting from Hudson Institute’s co-location with Victoria’s largest public health service, Monash Health. Being on a hospital site means our researchers can more quickly respond to healthcare needs and likewise progress their discoveries to patients through our clinical partnerships.

What were your highlights of 2022?

I was delighted we could contribute to a feature in Good Weekend magazine shining a light on inflammation and its impact on our health. Our scientists are making a profound difference to a multitude of diseases, from cancer, lung, kidney and liver diseases to asthma, infertility, endometriosis, neurodegenerative conditions and autoimmune diseases like diabetes, not to mention long COVID. Our plans for a National Centre for Inflammation Research (NCIR) will accelerate that progress.

What excites you about the year ahead?

I’m looking forward to seeing the latest developments in children’s cancer from our dedicated team of paediatric cancer researchers. We are proud to be a leading partner of the Victorian Paediatric Cancer Consortium (VPCC), a collaborative effort that would not exist without the vision and backing of the Children’s Cancer Foundation. There is now more hope than ever for better outcomes for children with cancer and their families.

As Director and CEO, what’s your vision for the future of Hudson Institute?

Independent medical research institutes, especially those co-located with a healthcare service, focus on targeting research to areas of patient need. Our plan for the NCIR will focus on the rapid translation of our research discoveries in inflammation into the public sphere to enable a fast response during times of need, like a pandemic, but also to address the ever growing burden of chronic disease. This initiative is an Australian first where the investments we make today will pay us all back with tomorrow’s healthcare breakthroughs.

I can’t wait to see what we will achieve together.

Professor Elizabeth Hartland Director and CEO