Burnet Institute

"As scientists and researchers, we reach for solutions to complex problems, for discoveries and new knowledge," said Burnet Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC. "But, of course, there’s a humanitarian context, of reaching to get the products and benefits of those discoveries to the whole community, especially to those most in need. "Our work is guided by the needs and priorities of the communities we work with domestically and internationally."

Thank you to the 2024 Student Committee for organising a successful student symposium. It was an exciting day where Burnet Honours, Masters, and PhD students showcased their year’s work, highlighting the high standards and breadth of our Institute’s research.   Congratulations to all the award recipients and runner-ups! Best Honours presentation: Alysha Literski Honours presentation runner-up: Katherine Rosevear and Nanditha Hareesh Best three-minute thesis for Masters and PhD students: Ashleigh Heng-Chin Three-minute thesis runner-up: Khoi Nguyen and Alessia Hysa

Burnet Institute at work in Vanuatu. Enormously grateful to our in country colleagues Caroline van Gemert Kali Ameara, Aleesha Kalulu and Stephanie Levy and to all who made this trip so productive and inspiring. Wonderful to hear more about our infectious disease, immunization, maternal and child health, health security and pandemic preparedness programs - and from our many, local provincial, national and international partners who make these activities possible. And it was special too to attend the 5th Annual Vanuatu Health Research Sumposium https://lnkd.in/gs2hz_qB which, in addition to the 100 or so in person attendees, had over 700 people attending online - a sign of a vibrant and knowledge-hungry health sector throughout a vast number of isolated islands across Vanuatu and neighboring parts of Melanesia. Thanks to my traveling companions (who also work in Vanuatu, PNG and the region) Caroline Homer, Chad Huges, Jane Greig, Rebecca Narokobi, Zeshi Fisher, Michelle Scoullar, Stephanie Routley and Geoff Chan - and to all the Burnet kids who made this trip extra special. We at Burnet look forward to continuing to work with the people of Vanuatu and of the wider region in growing a stronger health research agenda that promotes greater health equity and serves their priorities in what is a rapidly changing and increasingly challenging environment. DFAT VANUATU

A new study has found that care bundles and medication used to treat or prevent excessive blood loss are cost-effective ways of addressing postpartum haemorrhage — the leading cause of maternal deaths in limited-resource settings. Postpartum haemorrhage is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs after childbirth. Burnet public health registrar Dr Joshua Ginnane is the first author of the paper published in PLOS Medicine this weekend. He said analysing the cost of treatments for #postpartumhaemorrhage in low-income areas would help ensure limited healthcare resources were used effectively. “We found consistent evidence that for postpartum haemorrhage treatment, adding tranexamic acid to more traditional treatments like uterotonics, was cost-effective across a broad range of settings,” Dr Ginnane said. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gDSKV9Bt ‘The cost-effectiveness of preventing, diagnosing, and treating postpartum haemorrhage: a systematic review of economic evaluations’: https://lnkd.in/gCbtidPG #MaternalHealth #WomensHealth #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #Research #HealthEquity Joshua Vogel Saima Sultana Annie McDougall Katherine Eddy Nick Scott

Congratulations to Burnet senior research officers Dr Annemarie Laumaea (PhD) and Dr Liriye Kurtovic for receiving the mRNA Victoria Research Acceleration Fund grants!   More than 15 Victorian research teams will share $2.1 million from the Victorian Government to advance next-generation mRNA #vaccines and therapeutics that will save lives.   Dr Laumaea's grant will support novel #mRNA-based antibody technologies for mucosal pathogens. She highlighted that antibody-based therapeutics are crucial interventions, particularly for immunocompromised individuals who cannot develop effective immunity through vaccination. “New, emerging and neglected pathogens of pandemic potential need rapidly deployable solutions, especially when vaccines have not yet been developed," she said. “We’re developing a platform technology that can quickly create mucosal antibodies to protect mucosal surfaces against transmission thereby preventing subsequent infection.”   Dr Kurtovic’s grant will support the development of potent and long-lasting mRNA vaccines to combat global health challenges.   “The grant will help us find new ways to make vaccines for malaria and other diseases last longer using mRNA technology," she said.   "Longer-lasting vaccines mean fewer booster shots, which can be hard to provide, especially in places with limited resources.” mRNA Victoria  

Burnet supports #HIVUnwrapped 2024: a re-imagination of the lab coat. Pairing Victorian #HIV scientists with RMIT University fashion design students, these partnerships produced a unique set of 13 garments that reflect exceptional HIV science in Victoria, and the scientists behind them. It's great to see the collaboration between Burnet researchers Sarah A. and Hans Kek and RMIT students Hao Wei Lim (Aiden) and Katrina Kan this month at the launch. ASHM

Do you want to work fully remotely? Join us as a Project Administrator and work from anywhere in Australia. We also have two fantastic opportunities available within our Philanthropy team based in Melbourne! For more info, and to apply: https://lnkd.in/gRiBUPMq

“My personal journey has been filled with challenges and hardship linked to my own experience with drugs. “At the heart of these difficulties, was a deep motivation to use my own experiences to help others.” Kouadio Dié N'dri Sandrine has dedicated herself to helping people who use drugs recover and regain control of their lives. She is the founder of the Association Paroles Autour de la Santé in West Africa, and a recipient of the inaugural Dorabjee Award. Named in honour of the late Jimmy Dorabjee, the award supports individuals with lived or living experience who are working in the harm reduction field to attend a conference on drug use and related harms. Applications for this year’s Dorabjee Award are now open. For more information and to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/g86Rpa3A.

Congratulations to Professor Caroline Homer AO, Burnet deputy director – Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; co-head of the Global Women's and Newborn Health group, on receiving the 2024 Princess Srinagarindra Award. Professor Homer has been recognised by the Royal Family of Thailand for her outstanding contribution to nursing and midwifery. "Professor Homer is a leader in maternal and infant health research with her work influencing policies and practices on midwifery in numerous countries. Her research has significantly benefited the health and well-being of mothers, infants and children worldwide." The Award was established in 2000 at the time of the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarinda, and each year celebrates an outstanding nursing or midwifery professional from around the world. More: https://lnkd.in/gJ_yxyfH #MaternalHealth #Midwifery #InfantHealth #HealthEquity