Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

How can AI transform mental health care? 🎧 This week on The University of Melbourne's PsychTalks podcast, Professor Simon Dennis explores: 🔹 How AI could address the shortage of mental health professionals 🔹 The potential for 24/7 affordable support 🔹 Ethical and practical challenges in AI therapy. Season 3 is here, featuring episodes on PTSD, teenage brains, gender roles, and more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts 👇 Spotify → go.unimelb.edu.au/7axe Apple → go.unimelb.edu.au/9axe Omny → go.unimelb.edu.au/3axe

The University of Melbourne has been awarded $31.7 million for 51 research projects under the 2025 Australian Research Council Discovery Project grants! 🎉 Here’s just a sneak peek at some of our researchers whose groundbreaking work has been recognised with ARC Discovery funding: 🗺️ Professor Laura Mackay and Dr Susan Christo are creating an atlas of immune cell networks across different organs, unlocking new insights into health and disease. 🧬 Associate Professor Vihandha Wickramansinghe is advancing research into circular RNA regulation, paving the way for breakthroughs in gene expression and future therapies. We’re so proud of our researchers and can’t wait to see how these projects drive discoveries that shape the future of health and medicine. Read more → unimelb.me/4eQJZWo

We’re proud to celebrate Professor Christobel Saunders AO, who has won the Research Australia Health Services Research Award. For over 30 years, Professor Saunders has been a pioneer in advancing cancer management, both nationally and internationally. Her contributions to oncoplastic surgery, patient-centered care, and health services research have transformed outcomes for breast cancer patients. Reflecting on the award, Professor Saunders said: “Most of all I’d like to thank the patients I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside in their cancer journey. It’s from them that I’ve had the inspiration to do the research that’s led to this award.” Congratulations, Professor Saunders, on this well-deserved recognition! Read more about her incredible contributions → unimelb.me/4i7GAFR

A new chapter in cancer care begins. Today, we launched the Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine—a groundbreaking partnership between the University of Melbourne and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. This transformative Centre is set to: 🔬 Use genomics to personalise cancer care. 🩺 Improve diagnosis and treatment for hard-to-manage cancers. 🌏 Ensure equitable access for all Australians. Hear from our experts who joined us at Peter Mac to see this vision come to life → unimelb.me/4fYD4eP 📸 Professor Ricky Johnstone, Executive Director Cancer Research and Professor Jason Payne, CEO, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Peter, The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Minister for Health, State of Victoria and Professor Jane Gunn, Dean, University of Melbourne.

Our researchers and leaders have been making waves! Here’s what’s been making headlines 👇 🔹 Dr Natasha de Alwis won the Australian and Victorian Falling Walls competition, showcasing her incredible early-career research. 🔹 Professor Nicola Reavley was named a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, recognising her outstanding work in population mental health → unimelb.me/3Okuprk 🔹 Professor Catherine Said is collaborating on two research projects awarded a combined $5.9M through the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Grants. Congratulations to all involved in these remarkable achievements 🎉

Professor Sharon Lewin AO has been reappointed as Director of The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity for another term. Since 2014, Professor Lewin has led the Doherty Institute—a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital—with a vision to improve health globally through innovative research, education, and public health. Her leadership has been pivotal in areas like HIV research, pandemic preparedness, and infectious disease response, including the Institute’s significant contributions during COVID-19. Learn more about her reappointment and vision for the future → unimelb.me/3UYmsMe

How can we empower young people to shape the health sector’s response to climate change? Researchers from our School of Population and Global Health explain why youth voices matter and how to meaningfully involve them in decisions about our shared future. Read the full article on Pursuit → unimelb.me/3ACDJ6W

Just announced: Pamela Galli AO has made a transformational $20 million gift to advance medical research at the University of Melbourne and our partners The Royal Children's Hospital, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research), Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. This visionary donation will drive pioneering work in: 🔷 Neurodevelopmental disorders 🔷 Cancer prevention and treatments 🔷 Research collaboration across the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Announced today at the Galli Research Symposium, this latest gift builds on the incredible impact of the Pamela and Lorenzo Galli Medical Research Trust, supporting research that saves and improves lives. Learn how this new funding will shape the future of health research → unimelb.me/3AUgHZ6 📸 Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Dean Professor Jane Gunn AO with Pamela Galli AO and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mark Cassidy.

Inequalities in vaccine pricing and access are leaving low-income countries behind, despite bearing the highest disease burden. Our new research highlights how global collaboration and fairer pricing could close these gaps and save lives. Learn more about these critical findings → unimelb.me/3CypFfj

Diseases involving our metabolism – including obesity and type 2 diabetes – affect more than a quarter of the global population and are projected to become the leading cause of death by 2030. New research from Associate Professor Garron Dodd, published recently in Nature has found that our brain cells (neurons) can become trapped in a dense, glue-like substance known as the extracellular matrix (ECM) when a person is obese or has type 2 diabetes. Until now, the neurofibrosis process was considered irreversible. But, for the first time, precise targeting research has shown that the function of these cells can be restored – providing new possibilities for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Read more 👉 unimelb.me/4e9h9RB