New Partnering for Impact Series

The MMS and WEHI Partnering for Impact Series is a new initiative designed to connect discovery science with clinical research and accelerate collaborative opportunities between the two institutions. The inaugural event, held at the Ian Potter Auditorium on 16 October 2025, explored the broad theme Women’s Health.

Partnering for Impact Series

The event brought together over 70 attendees (in-person and online) who heard presentations from nine researchers over three sessions on cardiovascular health, inflammation and immunity, and reproductive health.

The program also included an MRFF presentation from Amanda Jones (MRFF Team, University of Melbourne) and Simone Woods (Grants and Major Bids, WEHI) outlining the elements of a strong competitive application, as well as a Philanthropy presentation, Collaborate to Innovate, delivered by Allison Howell Quinton (Senior Director of Advancement, University of Melbourne) and Deborah Carr (Head, Philanthropy, WEHI) introducing how their teams can support researchers to engage donors.

The presentations showcased a wide array of cutting-edge research.

  • Dr Andrew Kinery (WEHI) shared developments in disease modelling using female pluripotent cells.
  • Professor Natalie Hannan (Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health; Mercy Hospital) presented innovative approaches to understanding and treating the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
  • Dr Sarah Price (Department of Medicine; Royal Women’s Hospital) examined metabolic health and disease across the female lifespan - from prematurity through to perimenopause.
  • Dr Rhea Longley (WEHI) discussed intriguing differences in immune responses to malaria based on sex and gender.
  • Sara Berent (PhD candidate, WEHI) highlighted the role of the X chromosome in the female bias seen in Lupus.
  • Associate Professor Britt Christensen (Department of Medicine; Royal Melbourne Hospital) offered clinical insights into inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy.
  • Dr Eliza Davidson (WEHI) highlighted heavy menstrual bleeding as an under-recognised contributor to anaemia.
  • Professor Tu'uhevaha Lino (Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health; Mercy Hospital) shed light on placental insufficiency and its implications.
  • Dr Negar Naderpoor (Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health) presented research reframing polycystic ovarian syndrome as a metabolic disorder, rather than solely a reproductive condition.

To further foster collaboration, a new $5,000 award was also announced to support two emerging partnerships between MMS and WEHI.

Looking ahead, MMS and WEHI will deliver further Partnering for Impact events in 2026, each centred on a new research theme to continue strengthening cross-institution collaboration. The series is already demonstrating its value in building connections and identifying shared research priorities across MMS and WEHI.

If you were unable to attend, you can watch the symposium recordings at the links below: