Growing the Territory’s knowledge economy 

Every breakthrough at Menzies starts with building local expertise. By training the next generation of Territory researchers and strengthening the health workforce, Menzies is creating career pathways that keep talent in the NT. 

The institute attracts leading researchers and clinicians with unparalleled opportunities. 

Menzies Director, Professor Alan Cass AO, a kidney disease specialist, says: 

“Many brilliant people – doctors, scientists, nurses – work here to conduct research addressing devastating illnesses suffered in our region.” 

Among them is Joanne Bex, who has been with Menzies for 25 years, leading a highly skilled team and a world-class on-site laboratory that drives groundbreaking research in the NT. 

Menzies researchers also work at Royal Darwin Hospital, where they encounter complex health challenges . 

“They see the health problems first-hand,” says Professor Cass. “This shapes the research questions they ask and their discoveries at Menzies directly advance treatment and prevention.” 

Menzies brings research into the community. Pop-up laboratories in schools inspire young Territorians to consider careers in health and research, while a traineeship program provides pathways. 

“We want to build our own workforce, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike,” Professor Cass says. “We want young people to see our work and think, ‘I can do that’. We want them to know they can make a difference.” 

One example is 25-year-old Territorian Henry Craigie, who began at Menzies in 2018 as a Group Training NT Indigenous trainee. He now works as a Consumer Engagement Officer with Menzies supporting patients in Palmerston, Nightcliff and RDH’s renal units. 

“I help patients and listen to their concerns. I love my job. Every day I get to support people when they need it most.” 

A core philosophy at Menzies is building respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities and health services. 

Menzies Board Chair Ken Davies PSM says: “The researchers are doing brilliant work. They work together with Aboriginal communities in carrying out vital research. They have built and sustained great trust.” 

The business of health 

Menzies’ research strengthens the Territory’s economy, shapes Federal health investment, creates jobs, and supports rural and remote communities. The knowledge generated from their projects has been adopted nationally and internationally. 

Strategically placed, the institute enhances Australia’s reputation overseas by addressing the health and economic priorities of the region, particularly within East Timor. 

Mr Davies says: “I’ve seen firsthand the challenges in Timor-Leste, and the significant advancements in health, economic and social outcomes as a result of the work being undertaken by Menzies in partnership with the Timor Government and Timorese people.” 

“There is a real opportunity for private enterprise to partner with us to drive advancements in evidence-based health technology and clinical practice that change and save lives.” 

Through a One Health approach, the BRUCE–TL project, led by Dr Shawn Ting, is tackling brucellosis, ranked among Timor-Leste’s top animal disease priorities. Working side-by-side with the government and local cattle farmers, Menzies has strengthened national capacity by upgrading veterinary diagnostic facilities and supporting cattle vaccination. 

This work strengthens the local economy and community resilience through increased production and trade. It also advances human health through testing, treatment guidelines, and staff training. 

Locally, the renal health research program led by Associate Professor Gillian Gorham translates evidence into practice to improve kidney health outcomes, particularly for First Nations communities. Initiatives such as the Dialysis Models of Care project informed a Medicare item for remote dialysis funding and spurred Federal investment in on-Country dialysis infrastructure. 

Central to the program is Territory Kidney Care, a pioneering digital platform that integrates patient data across services. It enables clinicians to provide timely, coordinated care. Recognised nationally, it is expanding into private practice and supporting care for chronic conditions. 

Similarly, the White Ant project — led by First Nations Senior Research Fellow Dr Beau Cubillo and designed by Carol-Lynne Christophersen — examines the commercial determinants of health in Aboriginal communities. Guided by Aboriginal governance and local aspirations, the project builds community capacity to navigate and reshape systems that influence wellbeing. 

The Housing Research program, led by Professor David Thomas and Dr Liam Grealy, tackles a critical environmental determinant of health. The team’s research has included an evaluation of housing maintenance across 73 remote communities and urban town camps. 

Recommendations for preventive maintenance, more efficient systems and integrated governance will improve health and promote efficient use of public funds. 

Together, these initiatives show how Menzies leverages health research as a driver of social and economic progress — proving that investing in research translates into stronger participation, a more productive workforce, and more sustainable communities. 

Real-world outcomes 

Menzies’ work has shaped policy, improved services and delivered better outcomes across the NT and Australia. 

Professor Jane Davies, Principal Research Fellow at Menzies and Co-Director of Infectious Diseases at RDH, leads the world-leading Hep B PAST Program, which is on track to eliminate chronic hepatitis B among Territorians by 2030. Through the work of Professor Davies and her team, the NT is the only Australian jurisdiction to “close the gap” in care for Aboriginal people living with the disease. 

Key outcomes include: 

• Discovering a unique hepatitis B virus (sub-genotype C4) among Aboriginal people, linked to faster disease progression. 
• Developing an education package, and providing health information in 11 Indigenous languages. 

The Diabetes Across the Lifecourse: Northern Australia Partnership, established by Professor Louise Maple- Brown and now led by Associate Professor Renae Kirkham, has informed national and NZ guidelines for children and youth at risk of type 2 diabetes. 

The program created Australia’s first Diabetes in Pregnancy Clinical Register in 2011, improving care for women and documenting some of the highest global rates of type 2 diabetes among Indigenous people in Central Australia. It also identified factors behind high rates of gestational diabetes progressing to type 2, leading to the NT’s first weight management clinic. 

L-R: PROFESSOR ALAN CASS, DR SHAWN TING, PROFESSOR JANE DAVIES, ASSOC PROFESSOR GILLIAN GORHAM, ASSOC PROFESSOR RENAE KIRKHAM, HENRY CRAIGE, DR LIAM GREALY 

The Stay Strong Program, led by Professor Tricia Nagel and Senior First Nations Cultural Advisor Patj Patj Janama Robert Mills, has been improving mental health support, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Focusing on culture, community, and connection to country, Stay Strong uses pictures, stories and local language to help people talk through what’s going well, what’s worrying them, and what they want to work on. What started as a paper-based tool is now a suite of digital resources, including apps and a digital care plan. 

The team provides training and support across the country to health practitioners, Indigenous service providers and community workers, ensuring more people receive mental health care grounded in culture and community strengths. 

Associate Professor Supriya Mathew and her team are addressing a critical gap in environmental health research by partnering with more than 100 remote residents as citizen scientists through the Air in Alice project. Together, they are monitoring climate impacts, sharing adaptation strategies, and preparing health services for a hotter future. 

Looking ahead 

From antibiotic resistance to chronic disease management, the health challenges of the Territory and our region are real and evolving. Through partnerships with industry, government, health authorities, and communities, Menzies is positioning the Territory to respond, improve outcomes, and strengthen economic and social resilience. 

As Menzies marks 40 years of pioneering research, its impact resonates beyond the Territory. With a clear focus on collaboration, community engagement, partnership, capacity building, and real-world translation, Menzies is shaping a Territory and a world where better health is possible for all. TQ