Mater Research Showcase shines light on 2022 achievements

In an engaging event, that ranged from an insight into Indigenous culture to the future of Australia’s medical research, the Mater Research Showcase 2022 highlighted the outstanding research contributions and achievements made over the last 12 months.

The annual event with over 170 attendees this year was held at the state-of-the-art Translational Research Institute (TRI), recognised the ground-breaking work of Mater Research's emerging and experienced biomedical and clinical researchers, towards better health outcomes for the community.

Mater Research Executive Director, Professor Maher Gandhi highlighted how research at Mater fosters internal and external collaborations and through a combination of philanthropic support and external government grants, has enabled Queensland to have global impact.  

“Through our five programs at Mater Research, we tackle chronic and neurological diseases, as well as cancer, improving health service research systems and smoothening the journey during pregnancy and the transition to early life. Also, through the Mater clinical trials service, we provide patients with access to novel drugs, vaccines and new ways of implementation in such diverse fields as cystic fibrosis, inflammation of the bowel and women’s cancers.”,” Professor Gandhi said.

Presentations were delivered by early career and senior Mater researchers with topics ranging from, the research supporting the work of Catherine’s House, the first in Australia dedicated perinatal mental health facility, the use of medicinal cannabis to manage the pain associated with advanced cancer, the use of machine learning and AI to inform infant screening tests, the ground-breaking use of big genomic data to help us better understand autism, and many others.

Professor Anne Kelso AO, CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), gave an overview of the NHMRC’s agenda for 2022-2023 in her keynote, including current funding trends and proactive measures taken by the NHMRC to encourage greater creativity and innovation, and bring about better gender equity and diversity in Australia’s medical research industry.

The attendees had an opportunity to learn about the history and heritage of Mater Research from Associate Professor John Burke AM, former Chairman of the Mater Medical Research Institute Development Council, and Sister Anne Herrington RSM. “Throughout this time Mater Research has been consistent, focussing on the unmet needs of the vulnerable, indigenous, and culturally diverse. Over our course of our history, the biggest asset of Mater Research is our people and that is what makes Mater Research so special.” Professor Gandhi said.

The Mater Research Prizes and Sister Medals awardees were also announced at the Showcase, recognising those who have performed above and beyond in their roles in 2022. Finally, the five recipients of the 2022 Betty McGrath Seeding Grants were also announced. A list of the awardees can be found here.