Research
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In June, MNM hosted its inaugural MNM Research Symposium, attended by more than 100 stakeholders from partner organisations, industry and academia. The symposium showcased the breadth of MNM research and highlighted the importance and impact of nursing and midwifery research. An inspiring panel of leading nurse academics from across Australia concluded the event. I extend my sincere thanks to Professor Wendy Pollock, who led the symposium working group, and to all team members whose efforts ensured its success. Planning is underway for the next symposium in 2027.
MNM continued to strengthen its partnerships in 2025, particularly through joint appointments with health service collaborators. A new joint appointment with Alfred Health, together with our existing appointment with Peninsula Health (now collectively Bayside Health), further enhances collaboration and ensures MNM research remains relevant to our partners and the broader community. We were also pleased to host international guests from the UK, USA and Taiwan, strengthening our global research connections.
Significant individual achievements were recognised throughout the year. Professor Elizabeth Manias was awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project grant, alongside MNM colleagues Professor Helen Rawson, Associate Professor Jacqui Allen and Dr Stephanie Garratt. This is Professor Manias’ second ARC grant since joining MNM in late 2022, reflecting her outstanding leadership and research excellence. The project builds on her internationally recognised program of work focused on older people, medicines and communication. Dr Pauline Wong received a seeding grant from the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses to support ICU nurses in regional health services, while Dr Lisa Chen was awarded the Early Career Researcher Rising Star Award from the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand in recognition of her contributions to cardiovascular research.
Our commitment to enabling research was further demonstrated through the MNM Research Development Grants scheme. Congratulations to Nicole Kovach, Dr Kerry Hwang, Dr Auxillia Madhuvu and Emma Patterson on their successful applications. We look forward to the outcomes and impact of these projects.
I also wish to acknowledge the MNM researchers whose grant applications were unsuccessful in 2025. Preparing competitive grant applications requires substantial time, effort and persistence, often over many months, and with national success rates around 10 percent, much of this work does not result in funding. I sincerely thank all MNM researchers who submitted grant applications during 2025 and acknowledge the dedication, resilience and commitment underpinning these efforts.
Finally, I extend my sincere thanks to the faculty, sub-faculty and the Monash Research Office for their ongoing support. It is an honour to serve as MNM’s Director of Research, and I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our research community. Special thanks to Emma Craige, Research Executive Officer, and Professor Wendy Pollock, Deputy Director of Research, for their outstanding contributions throughout the year.
Professor Philip Russo
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RECOGNITION OF OUR STAFF
ARC Discovery Project Grant
Professor Elizabeth Manias was awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project grant, together with MNM colleagues Professor Helen Rawson, Associate Professor Jacqui Allen, and Dr Stephanie Garratt.
This is Elizabeth's second ARC grant since joining MNM in late 2022, a remarkable achievement that highlights her outstanding leadership and research excellence. The project continues her internationally recognised program of work focused on older people, medicines, and communication, further strengthening MNM’s contribution to improving health outcomes and advancing nursing and midwifery science.
Chief Investigators: Professor Elizabeth Manias, Professor Helen Rawson, Associate Professor Jacqueline Allen, Associate Professor Chris Moran, Associate Professor Roisin McNaney, Dr Stephanie Garratt
Project: Engaging older people and families in communicating about medicines at home. This project aims to investigate how engagement occurs in communication about medicines between older people living at home, family members and care providers. By developing and testing creative strategies, this project expects to generate new knowledge about interpersonal communication within a dynamic context of sociocultural, environmental and interpersonal challenges and opportunities. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced capacity to enable participation in bridging communication gaps. This should provide significant benefits, in terms of increased understandings about how and under what circumstances, communication and decision making about medicines occur with older people and families in diverse contextual situations.
Total: $538,229.00
Sigma Research Scholarship
Dr Lisa Chen has been awarded a Sigma Research Scholarship for her project: Exploring same-day discharge practices following elective percutaneous coronary intervention: A state-wide online survey.
Cardiac Society (CSANZ) - Early Career Researcher Rising Star Award
This prestigious award recognises Dr Lisa Chen’s outstanding contributions to cardiovascular research and her commitment to improving both short- and long-term outcomes for patients living with cardiovascular disease. Her work focuses on translating research evidence into better clinical care, advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms, and identifying strategies to enhance recovery and quality of life after cardiac events.
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Research Strategy
The MNM Research Strategy 2023-2027 is our five year strategic plan. Our vision is to be global leaders in transformative health research by investing in our people, fostering local, national, and global partnerships, and delivering solutions to address important and pressing health challenges.
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