Bulletin #0099
SUMMER 2019
Research into blood pressure and obesity receives welcome boost Shedding light on how obesity from childhood to midlife is linked to later life risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and using exercise to improve the identification of abnormal blood pressure, is the focus of two Menzies researchers to receive Heart Foundation Fellowship Funding. The fellowships support Dr Jing Tian and Dr Martin Schultz, who were among 67 successful recipients announced recently by the Heart Foundation. Dr Schultz received close to $540,000 as part of a Future Leader Fellowship to look more closely at the benefits of using exercise to highlight blood pressure inconsistencies, which often go undetected in traditional assessments. “An abnormal blood pressure response to a clinical
Support: Dr Jing Tian and Dr Martin Schultz were among 67 successful recipients of Heart Foundation funding.
exercise test is a signal of high blood pressure that has gone undetected by traditional assessments undertaken at rest,” Dr Schultz said. “Despite this, the clinical value of exercise BP is not being fully realised. My research program aims to change this and improve the detection and management of high blood pressure.”
The clinical value of exercise BP is not being fully realised. My research program aims to change this and improve the detection and management of high blood pressure.
Dr Schultz said the funding was a great support to continue this important research into improving the detection and management of high blood pressure; one of Tasmania’s (and the world’s) biggest health problems and a primary risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Dr Tian received close to $152,000 in funding as part of a Postdoctoral Fellowship to research the predictors and cardiometabolic risks associated with different obesity trajectories over the life course from childhood. The research will use long-term population data to look closely at how obesity tracks from childhood to midlife, the importance of this to future heart and blood vessel disease risks, and the predisposing factors to these trajectories. Most importantly it may help identify intervention opportunities where people on a high-risk weight trajectory could be diverted to a healthier path.
Summer Appeal
HELP US HELP THOSE LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS Tasmania is well known for its clean, green image and enviable lifestyle – but sadly, not everyone in our community gets to appreciate these benefits. In Tasmania we have the highest number of people in the country living with chronic disease and two or more illnesses. This puts increased pressure on our already struggling health system. With your support, we can focus on conditions that most
impact the lives of Tasmanians. In line with our vision at Menzies for a healthier Tasmania, our researchers led by Professor Tania Winzenberg, are focused on providing practical assistance to medical professionals treating patients with multiple medical conditions.
“This research will directly impact clinical practice and health policy in an area in tremendous need of improved care,” Professor Winzenberg said. By donating to our Summer Appeal you can support our researchers to assist GPs and other medical staff, to ensure their patients’ conditions are
HOW TO DONATE
managed in the best way possible. Together we can help reduce pressure on the struggling health system and improve lives. Making a donation to Menzies in support of our research is a direct way to make a positive impact. Please consider a gift today.
Go to the Donate tab at menzies.utas.edu.au, or return the donation slip attached to this Bulletin. You can also call 1800 638 124 or 03 6226 7700.
Menzies Bulletin Summer 2019
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Director’s message Welcome to the Summer Bulletin for 2019-20. As 2019 comes to an end, we at Menzies reflect on the gains we continue to make towards improving the health of Tasmanians and research globally.
Our research is also enabled through the generous support of the Tasmanian community.
All our research efforts are channelled deliberately and strategically into specific health areas, working with important partners, to make sure we are making the greatest impact. Broadly our research efforts are organised around five themes: Brain Health and Disease; Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health and Disease; Genetics and Cancer; Musculoskeletal Health and Disease; and Public Health, Primary Care and Health Services. We encourage our researchers to work in cross-disciplinary ways within and across themes to foster innovation. Our multiple sclerosis flagship demonstrates what can be achieved when talented researchers partner with people living with MS and those involved in providing care and support services. This year, we celebrated the announcement by the Prime Minister of a $10 million funding commitment
to the flagship and the first two iterations of the Understanding MS Massive Open Online Course that attracted more than 8,300 participants worldwide. We are pleased to report that we have been successful in securing highly competitive grants throughout the year to support research across all our themes. Funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Heart Foundation and other organisations supporting disease-specific research is essential for us to continue our work. Our research is also enabled through the generous support of the Tasmanian community. Our recent Thank You Day acknowledged many of our wonderful supporters, without whom our research would not be possible. Research into multimorbidity (the co-occurrence of two or more chronic diseases)
FESTIVE SEASON
There’s still time!
Kindest regards,
Distinguished Professor Alison Venn Director
Packs of 12 cards are just
Menzies’ 2019 greeting cards are still available to buy. This year’s collection features 12 original artworks kindly donated by acclaimed Tasmanian artists and all proceeds go directly to supporting medical research at Menzies. To view and purchase cards call into Menzies reception on the corner of Liverpool and Campbell Streets, Hobart, or visit http://www.menzies.utas.edu.au/
represents a new strategic direction at Menzies. More than 65 per cent of Australians live with multimorbidity with these figures expected to rise as our population ages. Multimorbidity brings extra challenges to the lives of people affected and complexity to the provision of appropriate health care. Our research will aim to improve outcomes for individuals and reduce the burden on the health care system. I look forward to sharing more of our research news with you in 2020 and wish you all a safe and festive holiday season.
$10
Striking: Michael Weitnauer’s New Dawn.
Would you prefer to receive our publications and invitations by email? If so, simply let us know by sending an email to enquiries@menzies.utas.edu.au. Alternatively, to update postal details please tick the box on the tear-off slip attached to the Bulletin and return it to us. If you use the Reply Paid address at the bottom of the tear-off slip you won’t need a stamp.
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Menzies Bulletin Summer 2019
NEUROBIOLOGY
Gaining a global perspective in neurobiology Menzies PhD candidate and Multiple Sclerosis Flagship team member Renee Pepper has secured a scholarship to the United States in April 2020 to investigate the effects of stress hormones on sensory circuit function. “I will be looking at how stress peptides released in the brain affect sensory information processing and behaviour,” Ms Pepper said. “This is a great opportunity and will be a really exciting experience.” The scholarship follows on from an opportunity Ms Pepper had earlier this
Opportunity: MS Flagship team member Renee Pepper.
This is a great opportunity and will be a really exciting experience.
year to attend an intensive neurobiology course held in the US at Brown University’s Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL). The eight-week course brought together 17 students from around the globe. Ms Pepper said both opportunities were a chance for her to build on highly usable skills as part of her MS flagship research. “My studies at the MBL neurobiology course earlier this year provided me with fundamental techniques for
studying neuroscience and this chance to return will allow me to really consolidate what I have learnt and lay the
Our Understanding Multiple Sclerosis free online course has just finished its second run. More than 8,300 people enrolled this year alone.
MOOC
Listed below are our Everyday Angels, who make regular gifts to Menzies.
Ms Julie Bradley Mr George Conomos Mrs Nina Dobie Mrs S Downey Mr Tim Freestone Mrs Rosemary Hogg Mr Paul Jones Mrs Margaret Kay Mr Stephen Lovell Mrs Janine Marr Ms Helen Prineas Mrs Sarah M Rackham Ms Elizabteh Reid Ms Pam Scammell Ms Gaylene Tuson Mrs Dorothy Venosta
Mr Timothy Albion Ms Juliet Allen Ms Anita Allie Ms Kylie Anderson Mrs T Archer & Mr A Archer Mrs Jennifer & Mr Lionel Banks Ms Jess Bannister Mr Callan Barber Ms Janet Beadle Mr Tobi Beard Mrs Pamela Blunt Mr P Bonusiak & Mrs B Robinson Mr Paul Boucher Ms Jessica Bradley Ms Kathleen Brient Ms Beverley Brown Mrs Jane Burrell & Mr Lloyd Sokvitne Ms Katrina Calder Ms Jill M Cassidy Dr Susan R Cherry Mrs Emma & Mr Timothy Claridge
It has also been ranked as seventh in Class Central’s Top 100 Free Online Courses offered globally. We thank everyone for being involved and sharing their feedback and encourage you to enrol for next year’s iteration which will begin on March 16.
To enrol or to find out more go to https://ms.mooc.utas.edu.au/
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DONORS FOR YOUR ONGOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT TO MENZIES The following individual and community supporters donated for the first time.
foundations for me to continue to research MS as I move throughout my career.” Renee was supported by Menzies, the Frank Morrell Endowment fund and the Gerald D. & Ruth L Fischbach Endowed fund from the University of Chicago, the Grass Foundation, Marine Biological Laboratory and Promega.
Mrs Anita & Mr Michael Clarkson Mr Peter Cochrane & Ms Miranda Harman Mr A M Cornish AO Mr R & Mrs G Cotgrove Mr Craig Coventry Ms Moya T Deigan Ms Carolyn Dunnewijk Mrs Patricia & Mr Donald Edwards Mr Josh & Mrs Felicity Ey Mrs Elaine & Mr Dennis Fairfield Dr Derek & Mrs Elizabeth Findlay Mr Simon Fleischmann Mr Peter Fountain Mrs Beverley Geard Mrs Judy & Mr Trevor Grant Mrs Brenda Haas Mrs Susan Haigh Mr Philip Hand Ms Paula Harvey Ms Judith Hastie Mrs Shirley & Mr Frederick Heath Ms Judy Hebblethwaite Ms Alison Hennessy Mrs Susan L Hinds Mr B & Mrs J Hortle Mr John W Hudson
Ms Shelley Hunter Ms Carol Hurst Ms Marni Hyland Mr Darrin Irvine Mr Gary & Mrs Susan Jacobson Mrs Wendy Jefferies Mr Raymond & Ms Dianne Jones Ms Tracey Jordan Mrs Margaret & Mr Alan Keogh Ms Margaret Knight Ms Sabina Lane Mrs Terry & Mr Ian Law Ms Anne & Mr Anthony Le Clerc Mr Mark Ley Ms Rebecca C Lipscombe Mrs Jane & Mr Nicholas Lovibond Mr David T MacLeod Mrs Marie Magill Mrs Betty M Marshall Mr Dugald McDougall Mr Marcus McEwan Mrs Helen McKibben Mrs Frances J McKinlay Ms Kate McQuaid Mrs Philippa Micklem Dr Kenneth & Mrs Yvonne Milton Mr Sam Mollard Ms Wendy Noye Mrs A & Mr T Nutting Mrs Astrid A O’Toole
Mrs Sally Oakley Miss Alison Parsons Mr Kim Paterson Mrs Glenda Paton Mr Andrew J Pitt Mrs Pamela Rabbidge Ms Jillian Reade Mr Alan & Mrs Jancis Rees Ms Hannah Richardson Mrs Margaret & Mr Brian Richardson Mrs Jill & Mr Eric Robinson Mrs Frances M Russon Mrs Susan Sluce Ms Chianti Spaulding Mr Richard Sperring Mr Alex Stanelos Ms Skye Stowe Miss Amber C Sturges Ms Carmel Taylor Mrs Cynthia Tennant Ms Karen Twynam-Perkins Mrs Rosemary Van den Berk Mr Walter & Mrs Robin Verth Mrs Anne Warren Ms Caroline Wells Mr John & Mrs Kathlyn Wheatley Mrs Kathryn Whitchurch Ms Barbara White Mr P & Mrs F Wigger Ms Mandy J Williams Ms Janice Wilson Mrs Elizabeth Woolley
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RESEARCH THANKS TO YOU
Supporters brave the chill for a warm Thank You Day The wintry conditions turned on by spring in Hobart did not impede another wonderful gathering this year for the annual Menzies Thank You Day held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor. One of the most important events on the Menzies calendar, Thank You Day gives us the opportunity to show our gratitude to the many volunteers, study participants, partners and donors who make the research we carry out possible. Menzies has the generous support and loyalty of more than 130 active volunteers who contribute more than $650,000 of value each year to the Institute, taking on a wide range of roles from providing a warm greeting to research participants coming into our clinic reception, to data entry and collection and filling envelopes for large mail outs. Menzies Director Distinguished Professor Alison Venn thanked our volunteers for their committed and ongoing support. “Many of our Menzies volunteers work closely with our staff and students and I know that in many cases have been
Giving back: Menzies Thank You Day 2019.
Thank You Day gives us the opportunity to show our gratitude with research projects from their commencement through to completion,” she said. “We thank you for your selfless commitment to advancing health outcomes for
Tasmanians.” Menzies research also receives significant support from generous donations and bequests which this year exceed $4.2 million. “Every donation and bequest received by Menzies, irrespective of size, goes directly towards medical research in Tasmania and these significant contributions make up around 18 per cent of our total annual Institute
income,” Distinguished Professor Venn said. “This makes a huge difference to what we – the researchers – can accomplish.” The day was also a chance to thank Menzies’ fellowship and PhD and Honours scholarship providers, research partners including government departments, non-government organisations and health service providers.
The inaugural Mind Games Race for Research 2019, which raised $70,000 for mental health research at Menzies. The Seconds Count Ball which raised funds for breast cancer research at Menzies.
at Menzies. Adrian was inspired by the health experiences of several of his own friends to grow his beard and hair for a year to raise research money and awareness and to encourage people to maintain their own health checks.
And to Adrian Granger for his ‘Hair Raising Adventure’ supporting Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer research
Helping hand: From left, the inaugural Mind Games Race for Research 2019; Adrian Granger’s fundraising supported Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer research.
A BIG THANK YOU TO…
Menzies Bulletin Summer 2019
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STEM AWARDS
Innovative MS research recognised at state STEM awards Menzies’ early career neuroscientist Dr Carlie Cullen has been recognised for her outstanding work towards improving the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), with a prestigious 2019 Tasmanian Young STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) Researcher award.
Presented by the State Minister for Science and Technology, The Hon. Michael Ferguson, MP as part of the 2019 Tasmanian STEM Excellence Awards, the accolade recognises Dr Cullen’s work in the field of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to improve the symptoms of MS. The research focuses on understanding how the cells that insulate the brain communicate and whether this communication can be manipulated to treat neurological disorders or disease. In 2016, Dr Cullen was
awarded the nationally competitive MS Research Australia Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to carry out a phase one clinical trial assessing the safety of transcranial magnetic stimulation as a potential brain repair therapy for people with
I am unbelievably honoured and humbled to be named Tasmanian STEM Young Researcher of the Year 2019 – Dr Carlie Cullen
Recognised: Dr Carlie Cullen and Minister for Science and Technology, The Hon. Michael Ferguson, MP.
MS. In receiving the award Dr Cullen recognised the work of her fellow team members. “I am unbelievably honoured and humbled to be named Tasmanian STEM Young Researcher of the Year 2019 and while I am the one receiving this award, it is the culmination of not just my hard work, but that of the incredible team that I have the privilege to work with,” Dr Cullen said. “I moved to Tasmania five years ago to join the amazing
team at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research and I have been consistently impressed with the community support for science, so it is exciting that my research has the potential to give something back.” The awards recognise Tasmanian leaders in STEM innovation, education and communications and are supported by the University of Tasmania, the Department of State Growth and Inspiring Australia.
FULBRIGHT FUELS PASSION INTO ALLERGY RESEARCH Moving to Tasmania to pursue a PhD in aerobiology at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research was a big step for Melbourne-born student Lachlan Tegart, but one that has reaped dividends. His hard work in the field, which focuses on the health effects of airborne living particles, will now enable him to study
in West Virginia in the US for 10 months as the recipient of a prestigious and highly competitive Fulbright Future
Proud: Fulbrite Future Scholarship recipient Lachlan Tegart.
Scholarship. The scholarship will see him continue his current research into the health effects of airborne pollen, using immunology and DNA sequencing to examine the effects of Australian native species on people’s health. The project follows on from his research under the supervision of Dr Penelope Jones and Associate Professor Fay Johnston, as part of the AirRater team. The team’s work is centred around data collected by the AirRater app, which alerts vulnerable people when they are at risk from airborne pollutants such as pollen and smoke and collects valuable information on symptoms
from allergy and asthma sufferers. “The suspicions around Australian natives as allergy triggers came to light as a result of data collected by the AirRater app. My research in the US will prove or disprove whether those iconic Australian plants are allergens,” Mr Tegart said. “The opportunity will give me access to world leading techniques and the chance to increase my expertise and knowledge, which I can bring back to Tasmania. “If we can better diagnose and treat asthma and allergies, it’s going to improve the quality of life of a large number of people.”
Menzies Bulletin Summer 2019
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Professor Angela Martin
When did you join Menzies and what were you doing beforehand? I joined Menzies in July 2019. I had previously worked in the School of Business and Economics from 2005-2016 with a mix of teaching, research and leadership roles. In 2017, I founded a knowledge translation and exchange organisation, Pracademia, during a career break from the University environment. The balance of continuing this consulting work and reactivating my research was appealing, and the opportunity to
apply business related knowledge and skills in the field of medical research to help build the new mental health and wellbeing team, represented a new challenge.
Privacy issues and stigma around mental ill health can also bring challenges. What is the current focus of your research? Workplace mental health and wellbeing has
been the primary focus of my research since my first Australian Research Council funded project in 2008. This involves understanding how our experiences of work and our mental health are related via both social determinants of health and organisational psychology perspectives. What are some of the recent findings from your work? My research has highlighted the need to integrate prevention, promotion and illness management into workplace mental health strategies and to provide assistance and strategies to managers supervising employees with mental health issues. I have also looked closely at the social suffering in the labour process related to mental illness and the role
of mindfulness, positive approaches to leadership and other interventions to reduce stigma of mental illness. What is the biggest challenge in your area of research? Implementing rigorous research methods in a real world, non-clinical setting can be challenging with respect to resourcing, feasibility and acceptability. Working with organisational decisionmakers to promote greater understanding of why evaluations of mental health and wellbeing initiatives are needed can be challenging. They are key to helping build evidence about what is effective and in what contexts. Privacy issues and stigma around mental ill health can also bring challenges.
What is the most interesting aspect of your work? Working on such a meaningful part of human experience and trying to make a difference to how society, particularly workplace cultures, approach the issue of mental health. Working with different occupations and organisations, learning about the different types of jobs people do. What do you do in your spare time? As a parent of two daughters, with two work roles to balance, spare time is rare but when I do find the time, I like to get out on the water in the kayak with my husband. I am trying to learn bass guitar. I enjoy art/ creative time and socialising.
Be a part of our research The involvement of the Tasmanian community in Menzies’ research has been one of the hallmarks of the Institute’s success since its establishment in 1988. Scientists are researching specific illnesses with the help of study participants in dozens of projects. The careful design of research projects means that study participants often need to meet very specific criteria. If you would like to know more about our studies recruiting participants go to: http://www.menzies.utas.edu.au/research/ studies-seeking-community-participation
DON’T MISS THE CHANCE TO WALK FOR RESEARCH MENZIES 5KM WALK
Feel like walking with family and friends and raising money for medical research? Then join us for the 5km Menzies Walk in the 2020 Hobart Run the Bridge and
event organisers will donate part of your registration to medical research at Menzies. When: Sunday, February 23, 2020. Register at https://www.onlineentry. com.au/HRTB_2020.aspx
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More than flowers In Memoriam September 2019 to November 2019 One sentence in your Will can fund life-saving medical research. If you would like more information, please contact the Institute Advancement Manager on 03 6226 4236. Bequests save lives by funding research. Thank you.
We gratefully acknowledge gifts made from the following estates: Estate of the late Peter Smith
Estate of the late Miriam Bridget Nobes We gratefully acknowledge gifts made in honour of: Mr Theodore G Casimaty Mr Barry Hannan Mrs M Oakes Mr Jack Sturges Mrs Marjory E Wood