The 2025 IMPACT Showcase brought together researchers from across the institute to celebrate the inspiring work that’s shaping better health outcomes.
This year’s theme, “From Silos to Synergy” emphasised the importance of collaboration, encouraging researchers to forge cross-discipline connections to drive research with real-world impact.
Among the highlights, Professor Sean McGee, Dr Stephen Gill, and Dr Rachael McMillan from our Molecular Medicine theme joined a panel to share insights into their success with industry collaborations.
Dr Gill spoke about his Women’s AFL study, which identified specific hand injuries based on patterns observed in the Emergency Department. Professor McGee reflected on the value of saying yes to unconventional opportunities and the role of timing in building partnerships, while Dr McMillan brought an early career researcher perspective, sharing her experience of rebuilding her network in Geelong after relocating.
The annual event showcased cutting–edge research projects across all IMPACT Themes. Congratulations to the winners, who were awarded for Best Collaborative Presentation (the TRI-ME team), Best 8-minute Talk (PhD candidate Mahima Yadav), Best Poster (PhD candidate Breanna Giles), and Best Rapid Talk (Dr Trang Truong).
Best Collaborative Presentation
Awarded to: Professor Adrienne O’Neil, Dr Johnny Park, Tanya Vick and Anna Drayton (The TRI-ME team)
‘The TRI-ME Trial’
The researchers behind the TRI-ME Trial are investigating a potential new treatment for Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
In collaboration with La Trobe and Swinburne University, the clinical trial will repurpose a cardiac medication to test its effectiveness of on the major symptoms of ME/CFS such as fatigue, post-exertional malaise, muscle/joint pain and sleep/mood disturbances.
The trial is supported by a previous study showing the medication can help bipolar disorder by improving mitochondrial function – the part of a cell responsible for our energy levels. The research has the potential to better support individuals living with ME/CFS by potentially providing the first FDA/TGA-approved evidence-based treatment.
Best 8-minute Talk
Awarded to: PhD candidate Mahima Yadav
‘Less Radiation, Greater Impact: Plant-Based Nanoparticles for Breast Cancer Radio sensitisation’
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer and remains difficult to treat, with limited therapeutic options and a poor response to traditional radiotherapy.
PhD candidate Mahima Yadav is investigating if plant-derived titanium dioxide nanoparticles can make radiotherapy more effective and gentler for patients. Her research explores how these “green-synthesised” nanoparticles can act as radiosensitisers – boosting the ability of radiation to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Early preclinical studies are showing promising results. The nanoparticles have been found to enhance the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to radiation, suggesting that effective treatment could be achieved using lower radiation doses, reducing potential side effects and improving patient wellbeing. Mahima’s ongoing work aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind this enhanced response and assess the nanoparticles’ biocompatibility and safety – paving the way for future translation into clinical settings.
Best Poster
Awarded to: PhD candidate Breanna Giles
‘Beyond the Barrier: Delivering Aptamer-drug conjugates to treat Glioblastoma’
For the past three decades, we have been losing the fight against glioblastoma, the most aggressive adult brain cancer. Standard treatment options – surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy – have not improved odds, leaving patients with a heartbreaking 5-year survival chance of just 5%. We urgently need a new weapon that can destroy this killer once and for all without damaging surrounding healthy brain tissue.
Breanna’s research introduces an ideal weapon, a smart drug delivery system. We use special molecular carriers called aptamers, like tiny chemical homing missiles to breach the brain’s natural defences, the blood-brain barrier. These missiles deliver chemotherapy drugs, which previously could not enter the brain, directly to the brain tumour.
The preliminary findings are promising: these aptamer-drug vehicles rapidly internalised into glioblastoma cells and achieved superior cell death compared to drug alone. Since aptamers themselves are harmless, this novel approach promises to maximise the drug’s effectiveness while minimising side effects, offering brain cancer patients real hope for a longer, improved quality of life.
Best Rapid Talk
Awarded to: Dr Trang Truong
‘Repurposing drugs for lithium non-responders in bipolar disorder through gene regulatory networks’
Dr Trang Truong’s research looks at how genes are turned on or off in the brain cells of people with bipolar disorder. By studying lab-grown nerve cells made from patient-derived stem cells, the team can see how the genetic activity of lithium responders differs from non-responders. They then will test 400 existing drugs to see if any could work better for bipolar disorder patients who do not respond to lithium.
This research has the potential to transform the treatment of bipolar disorder by enabling personalised therapy selection, reducing the adverse effects associated with the current trial-and-error approach that exposes patients to unnecessary adverse effects while establishing a framework applicable to other complex psychiatric conditions.
