A massive thank you for a Great Debate
We loved welcoming back our hugely successful Menzies Great Debate on November 1 after a hiatus due to Covid-19
Our debate topic was “Your heart, your health –it’s everybody’s business!” and we had a full house of community members keen to hear our researchers, and health experts from across Tasmania, engage in a fun and thoughtprovoking night.
Moderated by ABC TV’s Bernie Hobbs, the debate explored questions about the roles of individuals, healthcare providers, government and industry
in preventing and managing heart disease.
Our teams were Affirmative
Associate Professor Verity Cleland (captain)
Dr Michelle Morgan
Professor Tom Marwick
Negative
Professor Seana Gall
(captain)
Dr Andrew Black
Professor Martin Hensher
Beforehand, we also hosted a Thank You Day
You are such an important part of our community, and your ongoing commitment helps us achieve our goals
reception to honour and show appreciation to our donors and supporters who enable us to achieve
the research outcomes and results that benefit Tasmania, Australia and the rest of the world.
A special thanks to those who were able to attend. You are such an important part of our community, and your ongoing commitment helps us achieve our goals.
We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2025!
To stream this year’s Great Debate, please visit our website
Dream team: Dr Michelle Morgan, Professor Seana Gall, Associate Professor Verity Cleland and Dr Andrew Black; inset, Director Tracey Dickson.
Director’s message
As we come to the end of another busy year, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on what has happened and the changes that have occurred.
While keeping up with our regular schedule of world-class research and community events, in 2024, we also had a refresh of the way we organise and prioritise our different areas of research.
This has resulted in some new categories that we
call “themes”. It’s still the same work we have been pursuing. It’s just organised in a slightly different way to maximise our efforts.
I’m excited to announce that the new themes are:
Brain Health
Cardiovascular Health Cancer and Genomics Prevention, Health Services and Wellbeing
HEART FOUNDATION FUTURE LEADER FELLOWSHIPS
Congratulations to Professor Seana Gall and Associate Professor Quan Huynh on receiving Future Leader Fellowships with the Heart Foundation.
The Heart Foundation recently announced $13.7 million funding in support of impactful cardiovascular research in Australia.
Professor Gall’s work will focus on reducing the impact of stroke and
heart disease through better prevention. Meanwhile, Associate Professor Huynh will work towards improving outcomes in people with heart failure who are cognitively and physically frail.
It’s still the same work we have been pursuing. It’s just organised in a slightly different way to maximise our efforts
Environmental and Respiratory Health
We have also welcomed two new theme leaders, Professor Martin Hensher and Associate Professor Verity Cleland.
You can find out more about our themes at menzies.utas.edu.au
It was fantastic to see so many of our donors
and supporters at our Thank You Day and Great Debate event in early November. I wish you and your loved ones a safe, happy and healthy festive season.
Kind regards,
Tracey Dickson Director
Boost: Professor Seana Gall and Associate Professor Quan Huynh.
International recognition for Menzies professor
Recognised:
Professor Tom Marwick, former Menzies Director and now Professorial Research Fellow at the Institute, was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the Wroclaw Medical University in Poland.
In late September, Professor Tom Marwick, former Menzies Director and now Professorial Research Fellow at the Institute, was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the Wroclaw Medical University in Poland.
It is the highest accolade awarded by a university to recognise outstanding achievements of an academic who doesn’t have a connection to the institution and honours contributions to a specific field or to society.
Professor Marwick’s research interests include the detection of early cardiovascular disease. Since developing expertise in quantitative analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health, his research has also included statistical modelling and economic analysis of cardiac imaging techniques for treatment selection and monitoring.
This latest honour is, in part, recognition from the 18-year collaboration with the Wroclaw Medical University and Professor Wojciech Kosmala, with
who Professor Marwick has collaborated on several esteemed publications into heart failure.
Professor Kosmala is also an Adjunct Professor at Menzies and a great collaborator of the University of Tasmania.
Professor Marwick is the first person from Australia to receive an honorary doctorate in the 75-year history of the Wroclaw Medical University.
This latest honour is, in part, recognition from the 18-year collaboration with the Wroclaw Medical University and Professor Wojciech Kosmala
Increased rainfall signals we have a strong grass pollen season ahead
29 September, 2024
Experts are advising Tasmanians to be prepared for a potentially strong summer pollen season in parts of the state.
AirHealth and Menzies, who jointly operate the AirRater Service, are predicting grass pollen levels will be higher than seen in recent years this spring and summer. Grass pollen is the primary trigger for respiratory allergies, including hay fever and asthma.
The Bureau of
Meteorology is predicting above-median rainfall for eastern Tasmania this spring. Coupled with enhanced soil moisture levels, grass growth may surge as warmer weather sets in, leading to more grass pollen in the air.
High and extreme pollen days pose significant health challenges for those
29 September, 2023
with hay fever and asthma, making it important for Tasmanians with these conditions to stay alert throughout the season.
Current conditions and predictions Tasmania experienced significant rainfall this winter, particularly in the southeast and central
AirHealth and Menzies are predicting grass pollen levels will be higher than seen in recent years this spring and summer
WORLD STROKE DAY
The World Stroke Day campaign this year highlighted the benefit of sport and regular physical activity to reduce our risk of stroke.
Menzies representatives were at Northgate Shopping Centre with Jack the Jumper, the Tasmania Jack Jumpers’ mascot, providing free blood pressure checks and other lifestyle advice to reduce the risk of stroke. It was wonderful to see so many people there. We encourage everyone to be active and aware of the risk factors of stroke.
Weather warning: Maps shows soil moisture levels in Tasmania currently (left) and a year ago (right).
Images: Bureau of Meteorology
regions, leading to increased soil moisture levels compared to 2023. Root zone soil moisture is a crucial factor for healthy grass growth and subsequent pollen production.
Looking ahead, the forecast rainfall distribution is critical. The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting eastern Tasmania will receive above-median rainfall over the next three months, and these areas may maintain or even improve their soil moisture levels. This will further support grass growth and increase the likelihood of higher pollen levels. In contrast, western Tasmania is predicted to experience below-median rainfall and may see declining soil moisture levels, potentially reducing grass growth and pollen production in this region.
Check-up: Jack the Jumper, the Tasmania Jack Jumpers’ team mascot.
How will you be remembered?
In Memoriam
One sentence in your Will can fund life-saving medical research.
If you would like more information, please contact the Advancement Office on 03 6226 1920.
Bequests save lives by funding research. Thank you.
We gratefully acknowledge gifts made from the following estates:
Estate of the late Catherine Phoebe Maud Calopristi
Estate of the late Desma Gayle Jackson
Estate of the late Malcolm Melrose
Estate of the late Maureen Jean Rattray-Smith
Estate of the late Ann Christine Stocks
Estate of the late Alwyn Tapp
Estate of the late Jessie Thompson
We gratefully acknowledge gifts made in honour of:
Cyrene Wendy Cooper
Albert Edward Granger
Professor David Headley Green
LONG COVID STILL TAKING AN ECONOMIC TOLL
Long COVID inflicted a significant economic burden on Australia in 2022 and 2023, according to a paper published in the Medical Journal of Australia by a team of researchers from Menzies and Deakin University.
Led by Menzies Professor Martin Hensher, the team used modelling and labour market statistics to identify the estimated economic burden of Long COVID, and its likely impact on employment.
Professor Hensher said last year tens of thousands of Australians were still suffering from Long COVID and it had severely limited their activities.
“This matched up with data showing that several tens of thousands more Australians than expected could not work or did not want to work due to long term illness,” Professor Hensher said.
In 2022, the economic cost of Long COVID to Australia could have been as much as $6 billion. Despite this amount being reduced in 2023, it was most likely still in the billions of dollars.
Analysis also shows that these economic impacts fall overwhelmingly on people living with Long COVID and on their families.
“Our findings emphasise the unfortunate reality that Australia is still not adequately monitoring how many people are affected by Long COVID – or indeed the true impact of ongoing COVID infections and re-infections,” Professor Hensher said.
Our findings emphasise the unfortunate reality that Australia is still not adequately monitoring how many people are affected by Long COVID
“The COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report highlighted these ongoing weaknesses in surveillance and monitoring of infections and their long-term effects. It is still not too late for governments to start taking more seriously the need to measure – and then to address effectively – the true scale of Long COVID in this country.”
What is the focus of your research?
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Dr Kelsie Raspin
Research Fellow in Cancer Genetics
My research aims to identify the underlying molecular changes associated with prostate cancer and its progression to high-grade and metastatic disease. I’m particularly interested in the molecular changes that we inherit from our parents (genetic changes, also termed genetic mutations or variants). At Menzies, we analyse DNA from our participants with prostate cancer to identify the genetic changes likely causing their disease. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack. Sometimes these genetic changes can be targeted using precision medicine, whereby the therapy is tailored to the individual and their cancer, which can result in less treatment related side effects and overall greater survival. Some genetic changes also enable early
screening of at-risk family members, which can lead to preventative interventions or treatment at a time when there is more chance of a cure.
I’m also interested in understanding the underlying biological mechanisms by which these genetic changes cause disease. We do this using highly valuable patient samples, cell lines and zebrafish. We’re greatly in debt to all our participants – they make our research possible. What are some of the recent findings from your work?
I recently initiated Precision Care for Men with Prostate Cancer in Tasmania (PC4PC-TAS), the first high-grade prostate cancer cohort in Tasmania. This study offers genetic testing to Tasmanian men diagnosed with high-grade disease (Gleason score > 8), with an opportunity for their genetic
result to be returned. We have been overwhelmed with the level of interest from those willing to participate, perhaps because genetic testing for prostate cancer is highly restricted here in Tasmania. We aim to provide evidence to show that more men should be eligible for clinical genetic testing for their prostate cancer. My team have also engaged with men and their healthcare providers to determine their opinions, perceptions, and expectations of genetic testing for prostate cancer. This engagement ensures our genetic findings are understandable to those who receive the information and has enabled us to develop a Precision Medicine in Prostate Cancer Information Toolkit (currently being trialled). Overall, there is an overwhelming positive attitude towards genetic testing for prostate cancer, which makes our genetic research even more important.
What other research-based activities have you been involved with?
This year, I have
Menzies will be increasingly contacting our supporters via email. If you would like to provide Menzies with your current email address, please email Menzies.Advancement@utas.edu.au or phone 6226 7707. Thank you.
participated in several community seminars, including the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Research Matters Seminar Series, and have spoken at the Cancer Council Tasmania and the Rotary Club of Sandy Bay. I really enjoy getting out into the community to raise awareness of prostate cancer and speak about the fantastic cancer research we are doing here at Menzies. Plus, during the Beaker Street Festival last year, I participated in the CoLab exhibition, where local high school students used my research as inspiration to design
their artwork. It’s a great initiative and heaps of fun.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
My family has recently grown by one tiny, sweet little boy, Elijah. I’m currently on maternity leave and enjoy spending time with my family in the sun and up on the East Coast (where I grew up). I also enjoy playing and umpiring netball, as well as going to the gym and gardening. I’m really looking forward to continuing to focus on my career while being a new mum.
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New arrival: Kelsie’s son Elijah in his Menzies onesie.
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