Pain is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (#MS), but it often remains unseen. For #NationalPainWeek, our MS Research Flagship is highlighting findings from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS) that shed light on the impact of pain for people living with MS.

Thank you to all the brrrrave and brrrrilliantly dressed participants in this year's Boat Harbour Beach Winter Solstice Swim! ❄️🏊 Over 140 people braved the icy water in incredible costumes, raising $1,400 for our MND research.

Meet PhD student Chaw Thwe, exploring how sunlight may have shaped genetic risk of multiple sclerosis. Using landscape genomics, she’s found evidence some immune genes adapted to UV exposure, opening new perspectives on the disease. #MSResearch #Genomics #PhDLife #MenziesResearch #WomenInSTEM

On Friday our MS Research Flagship hosted its 5th Research with Connections symposium in Hobart, a fantastic event bringing together researchers, people living with MS and the wider MS community 🙌

Prof Alty and Prof Callisa led their teams -from the Wicking Dementia Centre and here at Menzies- to develop the Parkinson’s MOOC, for which they received the WPC Distinguished Collaborative Research Award! Discover their work here mooc.utas.edu.au/course/20392 & here parkinsons.utas.edu.au

Congratulations to Professors Jane Alty and Michele Callisaya, whose work has been honoured at the 7th World Parkinson Coalition Awards. Combining their medical expertise, research excellence, allied health knowledge, and lived experience, they have collaborated to make a meaningful difference.

We're hiring up to five new senior research fellows 🔬 Join one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes and play a key role in delivering world-class research that improves the lives of Tasmanians and delivers global impact. Read more here 👉 careers.utas.edu.au/cw/en/job/50...

Current Vacancies

careers.utas.edu.au

May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month, and our researchers are helping to organise the Hobart leg of the Australian Action on Preeclampsia’s (AAPEC) Walk for Preeclampsia day on Sunday, 24 May. Join the walk and support the 1 in 20 women are diagnosed with preeclampsia. Details below!

In part two of our Menzies student experience series, Alumnus Dr Xin Lin and first-year PhD Student Luca Brodribb share their perspectives on studying at Menzies as domestic research students.

Hear from past and current students about their time at Menzies and why they chose to join a community working to create better health and better lives for Tasmanians. Want to study with us? Find out more: www.utas.edu.au/menzies/study

🎓 What can rare genetic differences teach us about #multiplesclerosis? #PhD student Himanshu Saraswat studies families with multiple people affected by MS looking for shared biological pathways to reveal missing heritability 📷 Himanshu (R) with supervisor Dr Nick Blackburn @nickomatics.bsky.social

🎓 Meet Mohammed Obsa, PhD student at Menzies. His research explores how pain is managed in people with MS - what treatments are used, what works best, and how cost affects care. Proud to have him in our research community 👏 📷 Mohammed with supervisor Prof Ingrid van der Mei #PhD #multiplesclerosis

🎓✨ As she completes her PhD at Menzies Surbhi Agarwal (left, with supervisor Dr Fletcher) has explored how brain immune responses contribute to multiple sclerosis. She plans to continue in neuroscience research to better understand how the immune system affects diseases of the brain, including MS.

💬Join us in person or online on 9th April for an engaging seminar to celebrate World Parkinson's Day. The seminar is a collaboration @wickingdementia.bsky.social and Parkinson's Tas. Details in the comments 👇

Menzies supporter Clare Reilly is taking on the 1,000km Munda Biddi Trail in WA in an off‑road wheelchair. Living with MS, Clare’s “Wheelchair meets wilderness” challenge is raising funds for MS research. Good luck on your extraordinary adventure Clare! Learn more: www.utas.edu.au/about/news-a...

A 2025 study by our Cardiovasuclar Research Flagship found people in lower socio-economic groups face a 33% higher risk of stroke. The encouraging news is that around 80% of strokes are preventable & modifiable lifestyle factors play a major role. #CardiovascularHealth #UTAS #Brainawarenessweek

It is Brain Awareness Week, an important opportunity to highlight the impact of stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blocked or burst artery. Tassie faces significant challenges with the highest per capita incidence of stroke in Australia #cardiovascularhealth #UTAS

Great things happen when Tasmanians putt their hearts into it! ⛳ A sincere thank you to Ratho Farm and the Bothwell community who are donating the proceeds of their annual golf fundraiser to our Multiple Sclerosis and Cardiovascular flagships. ❤️‍🩹

What does good care look like when cure is not possible? Our researchers share their insights on maintaining connection, independence and identity after a life-changing diagnosis in the latest Island of Ideas recording. Watch it here 🔗 www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gm5...

Beyond Cure: what does good care and quality of life look like?

YouTube video by Island of Ideas

youtube.com

🎉We’re underway with a major national project to improve Parkinson’s care — addressing the world’s fastest‑growing neurological condition. Prof Michele Callisaya is leading a team to adapt the proven ParkinsonNet model for regional communities #Parkinsons #HealthResearch

Our devil facial tumour team has been fortunate to work with the University of Cambridge to advance understanding of the genetics. We hosted Prof Elizabeth Murchison Cambridge — on the left w Menzies researchers Dr Ruth Pye and A/Prof Andy Flies— who shared valuable insights with our researchers.

🎙️ Hear our MS Research Flagship's Dr Julie Campbell & Prof Bruce Taylor on MS Australia’s Raw Nerve podcast as they unpack findings from their new report Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence and Health Economic Impact in Australia 2025. 🎧 Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/4wmi... #employment #qualityoflife

MS Prevalence and Health Economic Impact in Australia 2025

open.spotify.com

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Jon Kudelka. A longstanding and valued supporter of Menzies, Jon will be fondly and gratefully remembered by us, and his legacy continues through the research he has helped fund. Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family and friends.

💡👏 On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate our PhD candidate Kimiya Padidar. She is a heart health researcher dedicated to inspiring the next generation of women and girls in science. Read about her journey from Iran to Tasmania here: tinyurl.com/4a7ajndh

🐾 Congratulations to our Devil Immunology Group, featured in the cover story of Australian Geographic 🎉🌿 Our researchers are developing solutions to increase survival rates of our much-loved faunal emblem. Read the full story here 🔗 www.australiangeographic.com.au/.../saving-o...

Is it MS or something else? New research led by our MS Research Flagship's Dr Nicholas Blackburn @nickomatics.bsky.social and Dr Bennet McComish @drmcstrange.bsky.social examined whether rare genetic conditions are being mistaken for MS. The answer may surprise you. www.utas.edu.au/about/news-a...

Is it MS or something else? New research explains

utas.edu.au

💬💡Come along to Island of Ideas: Beyond Cure, a free, thought-provoking discussion on the future of care for people with progressive health conditions. Ticket are free but limited. Register now so you don't miss out! www.utas.edu.au/events/2026/...

Did you see our researchers on ABC yesterday? Check it out www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...

None in family history, yet 'cancer still found us in the worst way'

Abbey was "joy on two legs" and now she is gone, another lost to brain cancer. Somehow her family must carry on, as the fight continues for more funding to bring this horror disease to an end.

abc.net.au

Survival rate of cardiac arrest in Australia is approx 10%, but with CPR and an AED, it can jump to 60–70%! Tassie has a ⬆️incidence of cardiac arrests, but ⬇️rate of bystander intervention. To save a life: ✅ Recognise a cardiac arrest ✅ Call 000 ✅ Start CPR ✅ Find an AED - it's simple to use!

New Year, new skills? Do you know how to perform CPR or use an AED? If not, why not make it a goal for 2026! Our Cardiovascular Research Flagship team have re-released Shock Verdict – this powerful yet fun video featuring the cast of ABC’s Rake ➡ www.utas.edu.au/.../cardiovascular.../shock-verdict