Menzies Institute for Medical Research 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S
4
Grants and Fellowships
6
Financial Report
Staffing Profile
7
8
Research Themes
10
Excellence Awards
Multiple Sclerosis Research Flagship
12
Major Grants and Competitive Funding
16
Philanthropy Community Engagement Media Mentions
2 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
17
Board Members
Menzies exists to perform internationally significant medical research leading to healthier, longer and better lives for Tasmanians.
3 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
286
Number of Grants
Grant Value
41
$24,886,576
Major Grants - 21
Major Grants - $24,381,190
Minor Grants - 20
Minor Grants - $505,386
T H E N U M B E R O F P E E R R E V I E W E D R E S E A R C H P U B L I C AT I O N S
( A 1 R E F E R E E D A R T I C L E I N A S C H O L A R LY J O U R N A L ) F R O M M E N Z I E S I N 2 0 1 9
4 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
S TA F F A N D S T U D E N T P R O F I L E
99
75 57 Higher Degree Research Students Masters
PHD
Honours Students Academic Staff 18 Professional Staff
3
Casual staff On average, each week we had casual staff working the equivalent of 8.36FTE through 2019. Casual staff reported as total FTE to avoid double counting due to the high number of casual staff having other roles within our organisation.
Staff by gender
7
50
Academic Staff
Professional Staff Male staff
27
Female staff
5 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
48
FINANCIAL REPORT 1 January to 31 December 2019
2018 Actual
2019 Actual
Commonwealth Government Research Support
$ 5,015,212
$ 4,835,322
Teaching Income
$ 617,467
$ 611,288
Commonwealth Government Research Grants
$ 3,856,354
$ 4,775,131
Tasmanian Government grants
$ 1,762,148
$ 1,537,763
Other Contracts and Agreements
$ 4,847,207
$ 4,520,703
Donations
$ 2,088,616
$ 1,862,898
Bequests
$ 1,540,392
$ 2,827,679
Investment Income
$ 34,298
$ 3,420,353
Sales
$ 358,294
$ 381,597
Other Income
$ 452,694
$ 384,859
UTAS Contributions
$ 123,616
$ 160,743
$ 20,696,299
$ 25,318,337
Salaries and On-Costs
$
13,721,410
$
13,683,395
Depreciation, Equipment and Infrastructure
$
861,285
$
1,037,193
Medical and Laboratory Materials
$
1,411,082
$
2,192,799
Travel and Training Related Costs
$
742,048
$
601,890
Scholarships
$
1,028,037
$
1,221,727
Research Sub-Contractors and Consultants
$
734,841
$
1,024,920
Other Expenses
$
804,964
$
802,928
$
19,303,667
$
20,564,853
$
1,392,631
$
4,753,485
Income
Expenses
Surplus/(Deficit) before University Central Over-heads
As at 31 December 2019, Menzies held Trust Funds valued at $26,367,594. The capital amount of this trust was valued at $17,844,679. Investment return distributions provide a source of research income for Menzies. The non-capital component of these trust funds is available for use in accordance with the benefactors’ instructions. The University of Tasmania’s Advancement Office manages a number of trusts on behalf of Menzies. As at 31 December 2019, the value of these trusts was $1,007,007. Distributions are made by agreement between the Advancement Office and Menzies in accordance with the benefactors’ instructions.
6 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
RESEARCH THEMES
Public Health, Primary Care and Health Services We work to better prevent and manage important health problems that impact large sections of our population. We focus on multiple sclerosis, obesity, environmental and mental health.
Brain Health and Disease Our research focuses on brain diseases that affect many Australians, including multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease. We work to help guard the nervous system against movement and memory disorders.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health and Disease We aim to improve the prevention and management of cardiovascular and respiratory disease in the community. We focus on the risk factors that contribute to heart attacks, stroke, and lung disease.
Musculoskeletal Health and Disease Our musculoskeletal research focuses on osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. We work to make a difference to people with musculoskeletal disease, including by testing treatments in clinical trials.
Genetics and Cancer We aim to understand how genes contribute to disease with a focus on cancer and eye disease. Our research seeks to diagnose, prevent and treat diseases using personalized, precision medicine based on genetics.
7 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
M U LT I P L E S C L E R O S I S R E S E A R C H F L A G S H I P The Menzies MS Research Flagship was established in 2016, bringing together our significant research capacity and leaders in the field. Tasmania has the highest prevalence of people living with MS in Australia and the aim was to increase the scope and impact of MS research. Five research themes make up the MS Research Flagship, including Brain Health, Genomics, Clinical Trials, Epidemiology and Health Economics, employing over twenty researchers and professional staff, as well as a number of PhD students. The breadth of MS research conducted in 2019 includes 21 projects across the five theme areas from a variety of funding sources, totalling over $17.6 mil in competitive award funding.
MS Projects by Research Theme
1
1
Includes externally led
6
Brain health Clinical Trials
6
Geonomics Epidemiology Health Economics
5
2
1
Cross Disciplinary
MS Projects by Funder
1
Excludes externally led
Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia
6
MS Limited Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation (RHHRF)
4
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
2
1
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IOOF Foundation
MEDICAL RESEARCH FUTURE FUND $10 MILLION FUNDING
E M E R G I N G P R I O R I T I E S CO N S U M E R - D R I V E N R E S E A R C H I N I T I AT I V E
Funded over 4.5 Years this funding will expand the scope of the MS Research Flagship and accelerate discoveries in MS Research by supporting five key activities; 1. Establish ‘MS Stem’ – a stem cell bank specifically designed to advance MS research 2. Gain a better understanding of the regeneration of brain cells and myelin repair 3. Expand our understanding of the rare genetic variation underpinning MS using genome sequencing of MS families and ‘MS Stem’ cell bank samples
awareness of MS. Members of the public increase their knowledge of MS-related issues and those in the MS community will be empowered to create and contribute to personalised MS management plans. The course is a partnership with MS Limited and the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre and uses a multimedia approach with experts and people living with MS sharing their knowledge and insights; • To date, more than 7,600 people from 128 countries have enrolled in the course • Approximately 80% are female and about 50% are people living with MS or friends and family of people living with MS
4. Develop a treatment economic model that can identify cost-effective treatments and interventions for MS
• The Understanding MS free online course was rated first among over 2,400 MOOCs (massive open online courses) offered in 2019 worldwide
5. Develop education tools and online resources, including an App specifically for people living with MS This work leverages the unique critical mass of MS research in Tasmania connected with Australian MS researchers, collaborators, MS societies and people with MS to address the gaps in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of MS.
Our work to date shows that 97% of course completers are satisfied with the course overall and 98% rate the quality of the course as above average. Further, 63% of course completers report that they have applied information from the course by the time they completed it.
Understanding MS Free Online Course: Understanding MS is a free online course for people all around the world to improve understanding and
9 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
MENZIES EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2019
BEST OF THE BEST
P O P U L AT I O N H E A LT H
For outstanding research achievement, evidenced through publication in a scholarly journal.
Hoang Phan ‘Sex Differences in Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life Among Survivors After Stroke: The INternational STroke OutComes Study (INSTRUCT).’ Published in Stroke.
Dr Amanda Patchett ‘Two of a Kind: Transmissible Schwann Cell Cancers in the Endangered Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus Harrisii)’ - published in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. Amanda’s paper demonstrates that the two known Devil facial tumours, DFT1 and DFT2, have originated from a similar cell type and that the mechanisms of tumorigenesis are likely to be different between the two. Both of these pieces of information are important for understanding the susceptibility of devils to transmissible tumours and in developing strategies to mitigate the risk and progression of the disease in this endangered species. Historically, most of the genetics and genomics work relating to Tasmanian Devils and the DFT disease has been led by research groups overseas and interstate. The skills demonstrated in executing this research to such a high standard are a notable achievement.
L A B O R ATO RY R E S E A R C H Carlie Cullen ‘Low-Intensity Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Promotes the Survival and Maturation of Newborn Oligodendrocytes in the Adult Mouse Brain.’ Published in Glia. Kimberley Pitman and Raphael Ricci ‘The Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel CaV1.2 Promotes Adult Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Survival in the Mouse Corpus Callosum but Not Motor Cortex.’ Published in Glia.
10 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Jingyi Shao ‘Early Life Exposure to Coal Mine Fire Smoke Emissions and Altered Lung Function in Young Children.’ Published in Respirology. Julie Campbell ‘Change in Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence Over Time in Australia 2010-2017 Utilising Disease Modifying Therapy Prescription Data.’ Published Multiple Sclerosis Journal. Johanna Wilson ‘An Eating Pattern Characterised by Skipped or Delayed Breakfast is Associated with Mood Disorders Among an Australian Adult Cohort.’ Published in Psychological Medicine.
CLINICAL RESEARCH Bennet McComish ‘Association of Genetic Variation with Keratoconus’. Published in JAMA Ophthalmology. Matthew Armstrong ‘Brachial and Radial Systolic Blood Pressure Are Not the Same’. Published in Hypertension. Feng Pan ‘Pain at Multiple Sites Is Associated With Prevalent and Incident Fractures in Older Adults’. Published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
MENZIES EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2019
R ESE A RCH I M PAC T PR IZE To recognise research that has had demonstrable benefits to society. Professor Peter Dargaville for GREMLINS (Group of Engineers and Medics Laboriously Investigating Neonatal Systems). In collaboration with partners in engineering and industry, Professor Peter Dargaville and his team developed new technology that has improved breathing in babies in neonatal intensive care.
AC ADEMIC MENTORING AWA R D Professor Tracey Dickson For recognition of the significant and ongoing contributions made to the career and professional development of staff and students.
P R O F E S S I O N A L S TA F F AWA R D For outstanding achievement through exceptional performance and contributions to the Institute. Emerson Easley Administrative Assistant, Environmental Health Team and the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study Team.
AWA R DS A N D R ECOGN ITION Dr Carlie Cullen 2019 Tasmanian Young STEM Researcher Award Professor Graeme Jones and Lachlan Tegart Fulbright Future Scholarship Associate Professor Fay Johnston Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand “2019 Air Quality Champion Award” Niamh Chapman and Matt Armstrong 2019 Tasmanian ASMR Medical Research Week Student Awards
11 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
MAJOR GRANTS AND COMPETITIVE FUNDING In 2019, we were awarded the following nationally competitive grants and fellowships.
Funding body
Grant category
Menzies researchers
Project title
Value $
MAJOR COMPE TITIVE GR ANTS
MRFF
Accelerated Research
Professor Bruce Taylor, Associate Professor Kaylene Young, Dr Jac Charlesworth, Assoc Professor Ingrid van der Mei, Professor Andrew Palmer
NHMRC
Synergy
Associate Professor Seana Gall, Professor Mark Nelson
Synergies TO Prevent stroke STOPstroke
5,000,000
NHMRC
Investigator Grant
Dr Costan Magnussen
The Long-Term Effects of Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cholesterol Levels on Future Cardiovascular Disease
1,449,339
NHMRC
Ideas
Professor Kathryn Burdon, Dr Bennet McComish
Identifying the Genetic Causes and Modifiers of Paediatric Cataract
1,011,130
NHMRC
Partnership Project
Professor James Sharman, Distinguished Professor Alison Venn, Professor Mark Nelson
Improved Cardiovascular Disease Health Service Delivery in Australia (IDEAL Study)
1,003,230
NHMRC
Ideas
Professor Peter Dargaville
Prediction and Detection of Apnoea in Preterm Infants
823,982
MRFF
Accelerated Research
Professor Alex Hewitt
Pre-clinical validation, optimisation, and safety profiling of CRISPR/Casbase editing for PCDH15-related disease.
733,314
683,290
The Menzies Multiple Sclerosis Flagship Program
10,000,000
NHMRC
Ideas
Dr Guei-Sheung Liu
Losing the Needle: Using Eye DropBased Switchable Gene Therapy as a Non-Invasive Controlled Intervention in Neovascular Blindness
NHMRC
Investigator Grant
Dr Yuan Zhou
Elucidating The Genetic Architecture Of Multiple Sclerosis To Influence Improvements In Disease Outcomes
562,013
ARC
Discovery Projects
Professor Tracey Dickson
Microfluidic Models of the CNS: Understanding Cells, Circuits & Synapses
545,563
NHMRC
Ideas
Dr Owen Marshall
There and Back Again: Understanding the Epigenetic Remodelling That Turns Gila Into Glioma
536,847
Grant
Fellowship
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MAJOR GRANTS AND COMPETITIVE FUNDING CONTINUED Grant category
Funding body
Menzies researchers
Project title
Value $
MAJOR COMPE TITIVE GR ANTS CONTINUED Heart Foundation Australia
Future Leader Fellowship
Dr Martin Schultz
Exercise Physiology to Improve the Detection of High Blood Pressure
535,120
Australian Coal Association Research Program
Grant
Professor Graeme Zosky
The Physicochemical Properties of Coal Dust and the Risk of Black Lung
411,600
210,000
Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia
Postdoctoral
Dr Julie Campbell
Economic Impact of MS: Creating Independent Standards for Health Economic Evaluation of MS Interventions Aimed to Prevent MS or Halt Disease Severity
Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia
Postdoctoral
Dr Kalina Makowiecki
How Does Myelin Plasticity Impact Neural Circuit Function in Multiple Sclerosis?
210,000
MRFF
Targeted Health System and Community
Dr Barbara de Graaff, Dr Julie Campbell, Dr Karen Wills, Professor Andrew Palmer
ANCHOR Project: Health Economics and Epidemiology of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
155,000
153,850
National Heart Foundation
Postdoctoral
Dr Jing Tian
Understanding the Determinants and Cardiometabolic Consequences of Divergent Adiposity Trajectories from Childhood to Midlife: the InternationalChildhood Cardiovascular Cohort (i3C) Consortium
Maddie Riewoldt's Vision
Alex Gadomski
Dr Kirsten Fairfax, Professor Alex Hewitt
Functional Interrogation of Loci Associated with the Regulation of Haematopoiesis
149,512
MRFF
Keeping Australians Out of Hospital
Professor Thomas Marwick, Professor James Sharman, Kristyn Whitmore
Risk-guided Strategy for ReducingReadmission for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (RiskHELP)
107,400
Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation
Grant
Dr Benny Eathakkattu
A Randomised Comparative Effectiveness Clinical Trial of Yoga for Knee Osteoarthritis
100,000
Grant
Fellowship
13 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
MAJOR GRANTS AND COMPETITIVE FUNDING CONTINUED
Funding body
Grant category
Menzies researchers
Project title
Value $
MINOR GRANTS NHMRC
Postgraduate
Professor Peter Dargaville, Dr Kathleen Lim
Detection, Prediction and Mitigation of Apnoea in Preterm Infants
90,793
Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia
Research
Professor Alex Hewitt
Engineering a Synthetic Microbial Treatment for Gyrate Atrophy
50,000
Lung Foundation Australia
PhD
Professor Andrew Palmer, Dr Barbara de Graaff, Ingrid Cox
The Epidemiology and Health Economics of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
45,000
Arthritis Australia
Project
Dr Feng Pan, Professor Graeme Jones
The Role of Systemic Inflammation In Osteoarthritis Pain Trajectories
44,000
Arthritis Australia
ARA
Dr Saliu Balogun
A Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating Community Walking for Knee Osteoarthritis
30,000
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Project
Dr Barbara de Graaff, Dr Julie Campbell, Professor Andrew Palmer, Dr Stella Lartey
NAFLD-Screen (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease: Prevalence and Screening for Type 2 Diabetes Patients)
24,999
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Project
Professor Jo Dickinson, Dr Guei-Sheung Liu, Dr Liesel Fitzgerald, Professor Alex Hewitt
Gaining New Insights Into Metastatic Bone Tumours
24,925
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Project
Dr Bennet McComish, Professor Kathryn Burdon
Understanding Individual Differences in Response to Treatment for Diabetic Eye Disease
24,888
University of Tasmania
Research Enhancement Program
Dr Saliu Balogun, Associate Professor Dawn Aitken, Professor Tania Winzenberg, Dr Laura Laslett
Assessing the Australian Osteoarthritis Landscape - GPs’ Surgeons’ and Patients Attitudes Towards and Understandings of Osteoarthritis
24,824
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Project
Dr Liesel Fitzgerald, Professor Jo Dickinson
A Clinical and Biospecimens Prostate Cancer Resource for Biomarker Research in Tasmania
22,664
University of Tasmania
Research Enhancement Program
Dr Penny Jones, Associate Professor Fay Johnston, Professor Jo Dickinson
Human health and the Aerial Microbiome: Uncovering Interactions Across Australia
19,989
University of Tasmania
Research Enhancement Program
Professor Graeme Zosky
In Utero Exposure to Bushfire Smoke and Post-Natal Health
17,171
Grant
Fellowship
Scholarship
14 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
MAJOR GRANTS AND COMPETITIVE FUNDING CONTINUED
Funding body
Grant category
Menzies researchers
Project title
Value $
MINOR GRANTS Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Project
Dr Carlie Cullen, Associate Professor Kaylene Young, Professor Bruce Taylor
Clinical Safety Assessment of rTMS Application for the Treatment of MS
16,000
University of Tasmania
Research Enhancement Program
Dr Amanda Patchett, Dr Andy Flies
Identification of Host-Tumour Interactions Driving Immune Evasionand Survival of Devil Facial Tumor Disease
12,951
Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
PhD Top-Up Grant
Dr Cathy Blizzard
Neuronal Excitability in ALS a Focus on TDP43 mislocalisation
11,250
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Incubator
Associate Professor Fay Johnston, Dr Barbara de Graaff, Professor Andrew Palmer
Association Between Bush Firesmoke/Wood-Smoke and Hospital Usage in Tasmania
10,000
Centre for Air Quality and Health Research Evaluation
Project
Associate Professor Fay Johnston, Dr Penny Jones
Port Macquarie Rapid Response
10,000
University of Tasmania
Research Enhancement Program
Associate Professor Fay Johnston, Professor Andrew Palmer, Dr Penny Jones, Professor Graeme Zosky
What is the Economic Impact of Allergic Respiratory Disease in Tasmania?
10,000
University of Tasmania
Research Enhancement Program
Dr Andrew Flies, Dr Amanda Patchett, Dr Ruth Pye, Dr Guei-Sheung Liu
Development of a Devil Facial Tumour Bait-Vaccine for Landscape-Level Distribution
9,952
Cass Foundation (Contributing to Australian Scholarship and Science)
Travel
Dr Benny Eathakkattu
CASS Foundation Travel Grant
4,480
Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
Jenny and Graham Lang Collaboration Travel
Dr Katherine Lewis
Targeting ALS Cortical Excitability Dysfunction Through Nasal Delivery of Neuropeptide Y
1,500
Grant
Fellowship
Scholarship
15 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
PHILANTHROPY We gratefully acknowledge all the individuals and organisations who donated to us in 2019. Thanks to these philanthropic activities and our meaningful community connections and events we can continue to conduct and share internationally significant medical research that leads to healthier, longer and better lives for Tasmanians.
4.87 M IL L IO N
2 .8 MI LLI O N
12 E STATE S
2,660 P EOP LE
148 P EOP LE
TOTAL PHILANTHROPIC INCOME
INCOME FROM BEQUESTS
PLANNED GIFTS
INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS
EVERYDAY ANGELS
In 2019, the generosity of our donors supported eight researchers on full fellowships and four on partial fellowships as well as five honours students and eleven PhD students in their endeavours.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Community engagement (numbers engaged)
Number of community events
55
2
660
6
14
1,649 6,065
Community event
Community talk
43
Community tour
MEDIA MENTIONS = 1007 National and International Print, Television, Radio and Online Media.
16 | MENZIES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Menzies event
BOARD Mr Bruce Neill (Chair) Distinguished Professor Alison Venn (Director)
Professor Moira Clay
Ms Philippa Leedham
Professor Denise Fassett
Professor Stephen Tong
Professor Anthony Koutoulis
Professor Bob Williamson