Menzies Research Institute Annual Report 2007 About Us
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Menzies Research Institute Annual Report 2007 About us At the Menzies Research Institute In 2000, the Tasmanian Government Our Research our aspiration is to contribute named Menzies a “Tasmanian Menzies’ researchers are currently significantly to improving human Icon” in recognition of our scientific working on over 100 projects that health and wellbeing. achievements, status and place in focus on preventing or curing a range the Tasmanian community. Menzies is renowned locally, nationally of diseases, including heart disease, and internationally for its research We underwent significant governance cancer, dementia, multiple sclerosis, excellence that utilises the competitive and structural changes in 2004, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, arthritis, advantages Tasmania has to offer. including a name change to the osteoporosis and mental health. Menzies Research Institute and the We are finding answers to local The research program at Menzies appointment of an independent Board. health problems that have global is organised around themes of significance. A significant ongoing growth research excellence: strategy was implemented in • Biostatistics; Tasmania is an ideal environment 2006 which saw Menzies undergo with many competitive advantages • Cancer; a dynamic transformation. We for medical research to thrive, • Cardiovascular Disease; became Tasmania’s premier medical including our small island research facility. Menzies’ research • Diabetes and Metabolism; geography, stable population, programs were expanded to focus • Genetics; extensive genealogical records on both clinical and basic science and a community that participates • Immunology; to ensure that the depth and quality willingly as study participants. • International Health; of our research was enhanced and strengthened. • Musculoskeletal; Our History • Neuroscience; The Menzies Centre for Population Today • Population Health Health Research was founded in We have continued to attract new and Epidemiology; 1988 by the Sir Robert Menzies high-quality researchers to Tasmania Memorial Foundation, with support • Primary Health Care; and with a diverse range of skills which from the Tasmanian Government and • Respiratory. has enabled us to establish new links the University of Tasmania (UTAS), within the national and international to focus on population research into Our research discoveries include: research community. diseases common in Tasmania and • Highlighting the importance of the rest of the world. Complementing this ongoing vitamin D in the development of strategy for growth is a $58 million bones in children and adults; Menzies was designated a World investment towards Stage One of a Health Organization (WHO) • Evidence of the link between new Menzies building, with state of Collaborating Centre in 1990, early life sun-exposure and the art laboratories, to be developed for research and training of non- susceptibility to multiple sclerosis; on a shared site with the School of communicable diseases in the • Discovering the link between Medicine, UTAS. The new building is western Pacific region, which babies’ sleeping position and due for completion in late 2009. includes south-east Asia. sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); We quickly gained a reputation for our Today, Menzies has • Discovering genes that influence ground-breaking work into the link developed excellent the development of disease; and between babies’ sleeping position and relationships with the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). • Showing the link between infant Tasmanian community, bedding and childhood asthma. From this work, our research the Tasmanian and expanded to encompass Our Future Australian governments, other diseases of importance Our plan for the future is to expand to the Tasmanian population. local community groups, our research to cover more disease Epidemiological research programs external funding bodies and areas; to attract the best senior developed in the areas of multiple philanthropic organisations. researchers, postdoctoral research sclerosis, childhood asthma, fellows and research students to genetic epidemiology, cancer, We have also built strong Tasmania; and to increase our musculoskeletal disorders and collaborative links with other medical collaborative links throughout cardiovascular disease. researchers throughout the world. Australia and internationally. Contents Chairman’s Report 2 Director’s Report 4 Management 6 Research 7 Grants 42 Publications 44 Education and Training 49 Administration Team 53 Volunteers 56 Donations 57 Financial Statements 61 Menzies Research Institute Annual Report 2007 Contents 1 Chairman’s Report: Dr Dan Norton The Menzies Research Institute has optimistic that we will continue to undergone considerable change and grow and build high quality medical development during the past twelve research at Menzies. months, resulting in significant growth and progress towards achieving our Underpinning our strategy is a series aspirations and core goals. of activities that the Board and Senior Management Team continue This significant growth and to monitor to ensure we stay on track progress included: and achieve our goals. Dr Dan Norton • Total income grew by 74 per cent The point we have now reached has from $6.9 million in 2006 to been the result of great co-operative to lead the organisation through this $12.1 million in 2007; effort involving a number of key important time of growth and the • Research income grew by 58 Menzies’ stakeholders including, development of critical mass, which per cent from $5.1 million in 2006 the University of Tasmania, the Royal has resulted in one central medical to $8.1 million in 2007; Hobart Hospital, the Department research institute for Tasmania. • Competitive grant income grew of Health and Human Services and by 73 per cent from $3.1 million in numerous organisations directly Our work is not possible without the 2006 to $5.4 million in 2007; supporting our research, such as The continuous support and generosity of the whole community. Menzies • Menzies researchers were awarded Cancer Council Tasmania, the Royal has been very fortunate in receiving 19 grants ($14 million) from the Hobart Hospital Research Foundation, support from hundreds of individuals, National Health and Medical the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the community groups, businesses, Research Council (NHMRC) and National Heart Foundation. philanthropic and other funding Australian Research Council for bodies, in providing valuable funds to funding to commence in 2008. Congratulations to all the enable us to carry out vital research. This was a success rate of 36 highly skilled researchers Our volunteers deserve a special per cent for NHMRC project and their staff for their mention for the time and effort they grants, well above the national outstanding efforts this give to Menzies. average of 28 per cent; year. There have been • Menzies attracted the first several significant grant On behalf of all our staff at Menzies, NHMRC Program Grant to be and research successes I would like to thank you all for your awarded in Tasmania; in 2007. tremendous support. Your support • The number of research does not go unnoticed and every publications increased by 149 I would like to take this opportunity contribution you make has a vital per cent from 55 in 2006 to 137 to personally thank my fellow impact to our organisation and our in 2007; Board directors for their guidance research endeavours. It is also an and expertise; they have been expression of your confidence in our • Staff numbers increased by 43 instrumental in the success of our efficiency to pursue our vision and per cent from 112 in 2006 to 160 research endeavours. we thank you. in 2007; and • The number of PhD and masters I must also make special mention We have come a long way in recent students increased by 247 per cent of the Management Team for the years. I look forward to further from 15 in 2006 to 52 in 2007. outstanding results they achieved successes in 2008, as we travel along this year. this pathway of research discovery. With our excellent researchers, and the strategies and governance Professor Simon Foote, Director of Dr Dan Norton arrangements in place, we are Menzies has been tireless in his efforts Chairman 2 Menzies Research Institute Annual Report 2007 Chairman’s Report The Board The Board is the governing body of the Menzies Research Institute. Board Directors: Dr Dan Norton (Chairman) Dr David Boadle Professor Simon Foote Sir Guy Green AC KBE Mr Damon Thomas Professor Jonathan West Professor Judith Whitworth AC Menzies Research Institute Annual Report 2007 Chairman’s Report 3 Director’s Report: Professor Simon Foote A year of rapid change Research Council (NHMRC) and and growth Australian Research Council for The last twelve months has been a funding to commence in 2008, dramatic and exciting time for the including one program grant. This Menzies Research Institute. Our was a success rate of 38 per cent for NHMRC project grants, well above vision of significant growth and the national average of 28 per cent. expansion is becoming a reality. The program grant was considered The new strategy enabled us to build Professor Simon Foote significant, as it was the first program the critical mass required to compete grant awarded to Tasmania, and at a national and international category). The prizes are awarded valued at over $8 million. This is level and resulted in a central and on the basis of excellent research a multidisciplinary grant between significant institute in Tasmania,