Menzies Institute for Medical Research 2021 Highlights
Table of Contents
4
5
Grants and Fellowships
Staff and Student Prof ile
6
7
Financial Report
Research Themes and Impact
8
9
11
Multiple Sclerosis Research Flagship
Excellence Awards
Major Grants and Competitive Funding
14
15
Philanthropy
Board Members
Media Mentions
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Menzies exists to perform internationally significant medical research leading to healthier, longer and better lives for Tasmanians.
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Grants and Fellowships
309
Number of Grants
Grant Value
44
$11,225,845
Major Grants - 15
Major Grants - $10,265,567
Minor Grants - 29
Minor Grants - $960,278
The number of peer reviewed research publications. This is the interim number of refereed articles in scholarly journals from Menzies in 2021. The final number for 2020 was 349.
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Staff and Student Profile
78
Higher Degree Research Students
82
Masters
64 8
PhD
Honours Students Undergraduate Project Students Academic Staff
13 6
Professional Staff
Casual staff on average, each week we had a casual staff working the equivalent of 6.06 FTE through 2021.
Staff by gender Professional Staff – 64
Academic Staff – 82
18% 37%
Male staff Female staff
82%
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63%
Financial Report
1 January to 31 December 2021
2020 Actual
2021 Actual
Commonwealth Government Research Support
$4,988,202
$5,094,156
Teaching Income
$399,204
$299,091
Commonwealth Government Research Grants
$9,389,538
$8,677,401
Tasmanian Government grants
$1,559,032
$2,292,612
Other Contracts And Agreements
$5,768,211
$5,585,247
Donations
$1,887,342
$2,404,896
Bequests
$2,368,491
$985,213
Investment Income
-$386,120
$4,536,588
Sales
$313,638
$303,999
Other Income
$438,002
$732,019
UTAS Contributions
$198,098
$506,058
$26,923,638
$31,417,279
Salaries and On-Costs
$15,009,381
$16,445,541
Depreciation, Equipment and Infrastructure
$794,833
$1,036,664
Medical and Laboratory Materials
$1,593,629
$1,983,387
Travel and Training Related Costs
$116,973
$143,043
Scholarships
$941,545
$655,719
Research Sub-Contractors and Consultants
$1,945,447
$2,059,403
Other Expenses
$872,395
$1,041,265
$21,274,203
$23,365,023
$5,649,435
$8,052,257
Income
Expenses
Surplus/(Deficit) before University Central Overheads
As at 31 December 2021, the University of Tasmania held investment funds valued at $32,411,073 for the purpose of supporting research at Menzies. Investment returns provide a source of research income for Menzies and these funds are disbursed in accordance with donors’ wishes. The investment portfolio is managed by the Investment Advisory Panel, comprising of University staff and industry professionals, which provide oversight and stewardship of the investment portfolio and advice on investment strategy and policy.
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Research Themes and Impact
Public Health, Primary Care and Health Services We work to improve prevention and management of important health problems that affect large sections of our population. We focus on lifestyle and environmental risk factors, obesity, multiple sclerosis and mental health. A highlight from this theme is a new feature of the popular AirRater smartphone app which harnesses the power of citizen science to help reduce the impacts of bushfire smoke on Australian communities. The updated AirRater app now includes a ‘smoke reporting tool’ to crowd source reports of smoke from bushfires and planned burns.
Brain Health and Disease Brain diseases like multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease affect many Australians and impact movement and memory. Our research focus is to discover the causes of each disease and develop effective treatments to guard the nervous system. A highlight from this theme was a new discovery revealing a previously unknown mechanism that allows our brains to adapt to lifelong learning. In the brain, nerve cells form circuits that transmit and process information in the form of electrical signals. These circuits are insulated by a fatty substance called myelin that acts as insulation and ensures electrical signals travel reliably along the nerve. Very small changes to the structure of this insulation can speed up or slow down the electrical signal and influence learning.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health and Disease We focus on the prevention and management of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Our aim is to reduce the impact of stroke, heart and lung disease. A highlight from this theme was the prestigious UK Queens Award for Innovation recognising the OxyGenie™ technology of delivering oxygen to premature babies. The ability to breathe normally is often the biggest challenge facing pre-term infants, and many require respiratory support for some time after birth. The OxyGenie™ is now being used in 43 countries.
Musculoskeletal Health and Disease Our research focuses on common bone and joint diseases, including osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. We work to improve pain and musculoskeletal health A highlight from this theme was the development of a new project called IMPACT-TAS which aims to reduce pressure on elective surgery waiting lists by providing osteoarthritis patients with access to high-value, non-surgical alternatives. This public-private partnership will evaluate how best to implement an evidence-based education and exercise program in the Tasmanian health system.
Genetics and Cancer Our priorities are to understand the genetic and molecular cause of cancer, blinding eye diseases and multiple sclerosis, and share this knowledge to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases. A highlight from this theme was the discovery of two new genes involved in the development of prostate cancer. Inherited genetic changes in these genes (EZH2 and RAD51C) partly explain the high incidence of prostate cancer. Drugs directly targeting each of these genes are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer, therefore this knowledge will help guide next steps in determining whether these drugs are potential new treatments for prostate cancer.
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Multiple Sclerosis Research Flagship
The Menzies MS Research Flagship was established in 2016, bringing together our significant research capacity and leaders in the field. 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 & Research, Epidemiology & MS Education, and Health Economics.
2021 Highlights
$5.9 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING
16
STA K EH O L DER E N G AG EMEN TS
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Over
50
staff and students
MORE T HAN
20,000
enrolments since the establishment of the Understanding MS online course
+40 publications
Excellence Awards 2021
L A B O R ATO R Y R E S E A R C H Kelsie Raspin ‘A rare variant in EZH2 is associated with prostate cancer risk,’ published in the International Journal of Cancer Johanna Jones ‘A 127 kb truncating deletion of PGRMC1 is a novel cause of X-linked isolated paediatric cataract,’ published in the European Journal of Cancer
P O P U L AT I O N H E A LT H Emily Hemstock BEST OF THE BEST Carlie Cullen ‘Periaxonal and nodal plasticities modulate action potential conduction in the adult mouse brain,’ published in Cell Reports
CLINICAL RESEARCH Zhen (Lucy) Zhou ‘Effect of Statin Therapy on Cognitive Decline and Incident Dementia in Older Adults,’ published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology Feng Pan ‘Muscle function, quality, and relative mass are associated with knee pain trajectory over 10.7 years,’ published in Pain
‘Associations between respiratory and vascular function in early childhood,’ published in Respirology Feitong Wu ‘Childhood and Adulthood Passive Smoking and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver in Midlife: A 31-year Cohort Study,’ published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology Matthew Armstrong ‘Association of Non–High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Measured in Adolescence, Young Adulthood, and MidAdulthood With Coronary Artery Calcification Measured in Mid-Adulthood,’ published in the Journal of the Americal Medical Association Bruna Silva Ragaini ‘Temporal trends in the incidence rates of keratinocyte carcinomas from 1978 to 2018 in Tasmania, Australia: a population-based study,’ published in Discover Oncology Brooklyn Fraser
RE SE ARCH IMPAC T PRIZE To recognise research that has had demonstrable benefits to society Dr Suzi Claflin on behalf of the Understanding MS Massive Open Online Course team
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‘Health-related criterion-referenced cut-points for musculoskeletal fitness among youth: a systematic review,’ published in Sports Medicine
Excellence Awards 2021
P R O F E S S I O N A L S TA F F AWA R D Jocelyn Darby For outstanding achievement through exceptional performance and contributions to the Institute
AC A D EMI C MEN TO RIN G AWA R D Professor Ingrid van der Mei For recognition of the significant and ongoing contributions made to the career and professional development of staff and students
AWA R D S A ND R ECO GNI T I O N
Professor Peter Dargaville The OxyGenie™ won a prestigious Queen’s Award for Innovation in the United Kingdom. OxyGenie™’s patented algorithm technology was developed over nine years by a team of scientists led by Professor Dargaville, and Dr Tim Gale, a biomedical engineer in the University of Tasmania’s School of Engineering. It is now saving newborns’ lives in 43 countries around the world.
Dr Carlie Cullen 2021 Tasmanian Tall Poppy The Tall Poppy Campaign recognises the achievements of Australian scientists through the prestigious annual Young Tall Poppy Science Awards.
Dr Bruce Neill
Dr Niamh Chapman was awarded the Tasmanian STEM Communicator of the Year award for her advocacy shifting the stereotype of what it means to work in STEM.
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Our former Chair of the Board, Bruce Neill, received an Honorary Degree from the University of Tasmania for his ongoing advocacy, philanthropy and fundraising which has been critical in shaping the Menzies Institute as we know it today. His support for Menzies and the University of Tasmania has had a profound impact on our capacity to undertake world-class medical research, and this major contribution will have a legacy of improving the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians for generations.
Grants and Competitive Funding In 2021, we were awarded the following competitive grants and fellowships.
Funding body
Award
Menzies researchers
Project title
Value $
Type
National Health and Medical Research Council
Fellowship: Investigator Grant
Professor Bruce Taylor
Improving outcomes for people with Multiple Sclerosis
2,335,378
Major
National Health and Medical Research Council
Fellowship: Investigator Grant
Professor Alex Hewitt
Harnessing genetics to halt the sneak thief of sight
2,072,570
Major
National Health and Medical Research Council
Grant: Ideas
Dr Carlie Cullen; Dr Kalina Makowiecki
Myelin: wrapping up neural network function and behaviour
794,211
Major
National Health and Medical Research Council
Grant: Ideas
Dr Barbara de Graaff; Dr Julie Campbell; Dr Karen Wills; Professor Andrew Palmer
Eliminating hepatitis B in remote Indigenous settings: generating health economic evidence
750,738
Major
Medical Research Future Fund
Grant: 2020 Silicosis Research
Professor Graeme Zosky; Dr Yong Song
The role of particle size in the pathogenesis of engineered stoneassociated accelerated silicosis
665,843
Major
National Health and Medical Research Council
Fellowship: Investigator Grant
Dr Rachel Climie
Primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease from childhood
650,740
Major
Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia
Fellowship: Senior
Professor Ingrid van der Mei
Improving outcomes for people with MS through digital technologies
650,000
Major
Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia
Fellowship: Senior
Assoc Prof Kaylene Young
Multiple Scelorosis - Pathways to protecting and repairing the central nervous system
650,000
Major
Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia
Grant: Targeted Call
Dr Kalina Makowiecki; Assoc Prof Kaylene Young
Identifying the missing link between myelin loss and neurodegeneration
428,232
Major
Australian Research Council
Grant: Discovery Projects
Assoc Prof Kaylene Young; Dr Carlie Cullen ; Dr Nicholas Blackburn
Old brain cells perform new tricks to allow life-long learning
428,000
Major
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Grant: Williams Oncology
Dr Liesel Fitzgerald; Professor Joanne Dickinson; Dr Marketa Skala
Utilising large Tasmanian families to determine the impact of rare genetic variation on prostate cancer
349,920
Major
Maddie Riewoldt's Vision
Bridging Fellowship
Dr Kirsten Fairfax
Uncovering genetic and epigenetic drivers of gene expression changes in blood cells
270,427
Major
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Grant: Research
Dr Jessica Fletcher
Identifying novel phosphorylation events to drive myelin repair
119,121
Major
Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management [TAS]
Grant: NDRRGP
Professor Fay Johnston; Ms Sharon Campbell; Dr Penelope Jones; Dr Belle Workman
Reducing the health risks of bushfire and smoke - An online education initiative empowering Tasmania’s most vulnerable communities
100,387
Major
Heart Foundation
Fellowship: Future Leader
Dr Rachel Climie
Primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease from childhood
0*
Major
Motor Neurone Disease Research Australia
Grant: Innovator
Dr Rosie Clark; Assoc Prof Kaylene Young
The Many Paths to Inhibitory Dysfunction and Excitotoxicity in ALS: Glial cells, not just innocent bystanders?
98,339
Minor
*Funding was not provided as Dr Climie was also awarded an NHMRC Investigator Grant.
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Grants and Competitive Funding Continued
Funding body
Award
Menzies researchers
Project title
Value $
Type
Heart Foundation
Fellowship: Postdoctoral
Dr Rachel Climie
Novel vascular ageing biomarkers for prediction of cardiometabolic disease and related mortality in high-risk populations
77,500
Minor
Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment
Grant: National Environmental Science Prgm (NESP)
Dr Penelope Jones; Professor Fay Johnston
NESP 2 Sustainable Communities and Waste hub : IP4
74,000
Minor
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Grant: RACGP/HCF Research Grant
Professor Mark Nelson; Dr Zhen Zhou
Understanding the impact of serum lipid profiles on disability-free survival, cardiovascular disease, and other major geriatric-related diseases in the healthy elderly
57,511
Minor
Centre for Air Quality and Health Research Evaluation
Grant: Seeding
Professor Fay Johnston
Creating an Australian wood heater emissions inventory and calculating the annual mortality burden
56,666
Minor
Arthritis Australia
Grant: Project
Dr Feng Pan; Professor Graeme Jones
Unravelling Metabolic Mechanisms in Knee Osteoarthritis Pain
50,000
Minor
Centre for Air Quality and Health Research Evaluation
Grant: Seeding
Professor Fay Johnston; Dr Belle Workman
Knowledge Broker role for the Centre for Air pollution, energy and health Research
41,967
Minor
University of Tasmania Foundation Inc
Grant: Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Grant
Dr Andy Flies; Ms Ruth Pye; Assoc Prof Guei-Sheung Liu
Development of a devil facial tumour disease vaccine
40,000
Minor
Retina Australia
Grant: Research
Professor Alex Hewitt
Strong, fast, then none: development of novel promoters for gene-editing therapies
38,000
Minor
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Darwin Living Lab
Professor Fay Johnston; Ms Sharon Campbell
Using AirRater to evaluate heat stress guidance for outdoor workers
37,772
Minor
University of Tasmania Foundation Inc
Grant: Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Grant
Dr Amanda Patchett; Dr Andy Flies
Cancer Shapeshifters Deciphering the contribution of tumour plasticity to DFT vaccine failure and tumour emergence
35,000
Minor
Brain Foundation
Grant: Research
Dr Jessica Fletcher; AssocProf Kaylene Young
Does a familial gene variant drive neurodegeneration in Multiple Sclerosis?
33,000
Minor
University of Tasmania Foundation Inc
Grant: Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research Grant
Dr Andy Flies; Ms Ruth Pye
Development of a field diagnostic test for DFT1/2
25,000
Minor
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Grant: Project
Dr Niamh Chapman; Professor James Sharman
Implementation and evaluation of the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic (RACPC) a process evaluation.
24,996
Minor
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Grant: Project
Dr Hoang Phan; AssocProf Seana Gall
Evaluation of StOP - a support program for better awareness and management of stroke risk factors after discharge in Tasmania
24,969
Minor
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Grants and Competitive Funding Continued
Funding body
Award
Menzies researchers
Project title
Value $
Type
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Grant: Project
Dr Martin Schultz; Professor James Sharman; Dr Philip Roberts-Thomson; Mr Petr Otahal
Assessing the clinical value of exercise stress echocardiography: an EXERcise stress Test collaboratION (EXERTION) study
24,951
Minor
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Grant: Project
Professor Andrew Palmer; Dr Barbara de Graaff; Dr Ingrid Cox
Lung cancer screening in Tasmania
24,945
Minor
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Grant: Project
Assoc Prof Dawn Aitken; Dr Barbara de Graaff; Professor Graeme Jones
Providing high-value care for osteoarthritis patients at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH)
24,943
Minor
Cancer Council of Tasmania
Grant: Small
Dr Liesel Fitzgerald; Professor Joanne Dickinson; Dr Kelsie Raspin
Understanding TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusions to improve prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment options
24,776
Minor
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Grant: Project
Professor Joanne Dickinson; Dr Sionne Lucas; Dr Kirsten Fairfax
Advancing Precision Medicine for Families with Haematological Malignancy
22,942
Minor
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Grant: Project
Professor Joanne Dickinson; Dr Jessica Roydhouse ; Dr Kelsie Raspin; Dr Liesel Fitzgerald
Precision Medicine for Men with Prostate Cancer
21,142
Minor
Australian Respiratory Council
Grant: Research
Professor Graeme Zosky; Professor Fay Johnston
The role of the placenta in determining the post-natal effects of in utero exposure to bushfire smoke
20,000
Minor
Centre for Air Quality and Health Research Evaluation
Grant: Seeding
Professor Fay Johnston
Driving technological innovation to reduce air pollution from wood heaters can Australia benefit from successful approaches pioneered in New Zealand?
16,666
Minor
Centre for Air Quality and Health Research Evaluation
Grant: Seeding
Professor Fay Johnston
The fire smoke exposure study (UTAS)
15,000
Minor
Cancer Council of Tasmania
Grant: Small
Dr Kelsie Raspin; Professor Joanne Dickinson; Dr Liesel Fitzgerald
Applying innovative 'omics' technologies to identify key molecular drivers of metastatic bone tumours
14,778
Minor
Perpetual Trustees
CF Betty Lowe Memorial
Dr Kelsie Raspin; Professor Joanne Dickinson; Dr Liesel Fitzgerald; Mr James Marthick
Advancing Precision Medicine for Men Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
10,470
Minor
Centre for Air Quality and Health Research Evaluation
PhD top-up scholarship
Professor Graeme Zosky; Miss Emily Hemstock
The Health Impacts of Exposure to Air Pollution in Early Childhood
10,000
Minor
Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation
Grant: Incubator
Dr Julie Campbell; Miss Qing Xia; Professor Andrew Palmer; Dr Barbara de Graaff
The health economic impacts of residential fires on the Tasmanian public healthcare system 2010 to 2020 using a mixed-methods approach
9,945
Minor
Heart Foundation
Award: Collaboration and Exchange
Dr Rachel Climie
Vascular ageing across the life course
5,000
Minor
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Media mentions = 932 National and International Print, Television, Radio and Online Media
Philanthropy Thank you to all who have supported our work this year with a donation; we are incredibly grateful for your generosity. You are helping us to develop and deliver our research as we strive for a world where the diseases that currently touch every Tasmanian – such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, arthritis, heart disease and cancer – are halted. How to prevent, treat and cure these diseases is known, and the benefits are available to everyone. Our continued work here at the Menzies is vital if we are to improve the health of Tasmanians. Our research addresses our high rates of preventable chronic disease and the social factors that affect health, leveraging Tasmania’s unique genealogical resources that support genetic research. We rely on your ongoing support to advance our research for the benefit of all. Your gift – be it large or small – when you donate to our appeal, make a planned gift in your will, or give a donation in memory of a loved one, makes a difference. Thank you for joining with with us here at Menzies to deliver world class research and better lives for all Tasmanians.
26
$9 8 5 , 2 1 3
$2,404,896
Philanthropically funded scholarships and fellowships
Bequests
Donations
1 , 229
3 ,1 7 2
138
Donors
Individual donations
menzies.utas.edu.au/get-involved All donations over $2 are tax deductible (in Australia). Donations can be made to Menzies Institute for Medical Research, at the University of Tasmania.
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Everyday angels Our recurring donors
Board Members Professor Moira Clay (Chair)
Professor Anthony Koutoulis
Professor Geoffrey Donnan
Distinguished Professor Alison Venn (Director)
Ms Philippa Leedham
Ms Rebecca Kardos
Professor Stephen Tong
Mr Edward Kemp
Professor Denise Fassett
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menzies.utas.edu.au