Issue 38

Cover story

The right to prescribe: A turning point for Australian pharmacy and patient care

With an ageing population and rising rates of chronic disease, Australia's healthcare system stands at the edge of significant transition. Monash’s new Graduate Certificate of Pharmacist Prescribing is poised to prepare pharmacists for frontline clinical responsibilities.

Read more

Expanding our international footprint with our first Associate Dean International

Professor Joseph Nicolazzo has been appointed the Faculty’s first Associate Dean International, signalling an expanded focus on building on Monash’s international opportunities for students, researchers and staff.

A seat at the head of the table—with Dr Jae Pyun

This year marked a new scientific partnership between Australia and South Korea, formalised through an MoU between Monash and the Korean Government-backed K-Bio Lab Hub. At its centre is Dr Jae Pyun, a key bridge between the two countries.

Ten years of trust: How pharmacy schools on different sides of the world built an innovative degree

In 2025, PharmAlliance’s most ambitious achievement became reality when Monash and the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy launched the Master of Global Medicines Development.

News in brief

Catch up on some of our faculty's biggest news stories from the past year.

  • 2024 MIPS Annual Report

    A summary of the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences’ key achievements from 2024.

    Read more

  • Jennifer Marriott MyDispense Award

    The Jennifer Marriott MyDispense Award for International Collaboration has been established as an annual recognition of excellence.

    Read more

  • 343 Royal Parade Update

    Construction is underway at 343 Royal Parade to provide a new home for the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

    Read more

  • Staff recognition and awards

    Learn more about those whose contributions were recognised this year.

    Read more

Supercomputers, neural networks and quantum chemistry: How AI and quantum are transforming education and research

AI is rapidly changing education and research across the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Meet award-winning Professor Giuseppe Barca, who joined MIPS this year to accelerate the University’s drug discovery capabilities with his unique expertise in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and quantum chemistry.

Read more

Putting research into perspective: Consumer engagement at MIPS

In early 2023 the MRFF established principles for consumer engagement which have since evolved into a mandate. MIPS looks forward to partnering with consumers across the spectrum of drug discovery, leaning on in-house expertise from members of CMUS.

Keeping it in the family: Generations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists

Whilst many young people are now forging careers unimaginable to earlier generations, others have chosen to follow family footsteps. Meet a number of Parkville graduates where the apple doesn’t fall too far from the family tree.

Inspired to give: Celebrating our Faculty donors

From student scholarships to enabling research, philanthropy helps shape achievement and discovery at our Faculty. Meet two longtime supporters and a foundation whose enduring generosity continues to inspire.

A new era for the CDCO: Building on a strong reputation for providing ADME and pharmacokinetic expertise in Australia

Since establishing the Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation (CDCO) in 2003, Professor Sue Charman has been instrumental in helping it build a global reputation. In 2025, Professor Charman stepped down as Centre Director and Theme Leader, handing the reins over to Professor Joseph Nicolazzo, who shares his new vision for the centre.

Read more

Discover the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) and the Inhaled Oxytocin Project

Watch our video to discover the capabilities and services of the MMIC. Learn about the Inhaled Oxytocin Project, one of the Faculty’s flagship examples of how a unique medicine formulation can have global impact.

Teaching that transforms: Why education remains the heart of our university

As AI, automation and economic change reshape how we live and work, universities face renewed scrutiny. What’s often overlooked is how universities have evolved to meet this new world. Meet the educators whose teaching is transforming lives.

Course Directors’ Updates

Course directors Associate Professor Dan Malone, Dr Ian Larson and Dr Tony Hughes share 2025 highlights, challenges and future plans as student numbers grow across pharmacy and pharmaceutical science programs.

Research with impact

Scroll to discover some of our top research stories from the past year.

Human milk could transform treatment of deadly diseases in infants

Researchers from the ‘Monash Milk Team’ have published a new study demonstrating the power of human milk as a highly effective vehicle for administering certain medicines to infants.

Scientists develop device to determine different types of chronic pain

Monash University scientists have developed a new (preclinical) method to distinguish between chronic pain subtypes, such as fibromyalgia and peripheral neuropathy.

New study reveals potential of first-in-class oral therapy to treat diabetes and obesity, without losing muscle mass

A first-in-class drug candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity has been found to boost glucose uptake, increase insulin sensitivity, and preserve muscle mass – mimicking the key aspects of exercise.

Scientists uncover the link between estrogen and heart health in women

A new preclinical study has uncovered the role of female sex hormone estrogen in protecting the hearts of women with high blood pressure – a link that, until now, has not been fully understood by scientists.

New study uncovers how beta blockers could halt the progression of triple negative breast cancer

Monash University researchers have identified a molecular biomarker in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumours which could inform when beta blockers can play a role in “switching off” tumour progression.

Combating cardiovascular disease: The simple, cost-effective test that saves lives

Routine testing for a specific 'lipoprotein' known as Lp(a) would be a cost saving way to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and save lives according to an international taskforce led by Monash University.

Australia’s first clinical practice guideline for psychedelics released for public consultation

A new Australian Clinical Practice guideline for the appropriate use of methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) to treat post-traumatic stress disorder has been released for public consultation.

New discovery: ‘Switching off’ enzyme prevents diet-induced obesity, other metabolic diseases

An international team led by Monash University and Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, has found ‘switching off’ an enzyme called CaMKK2 in immune cells that drive inflammation prevents diet-induced obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease.

Monash invention progresses to Phase 3 clinical trial for treatment of advanced breast cancers

Pfizer Inc has commenced a Phase 3 clinical trial to study a potential new medicine for advanced breast cancer, based on pioneering research from Monash University and the Cancer Therapeutics Cooperative Research Centre (CTx).

Social Spotlight

In 2025, we enhanced our digital communications strategy to shine a spotlight on our Faculty and the exceptional people within it. Our social media content has achieved extensive engagement, with several videos reaching viral status—including our 24k Gold Labubu reel which connected with over 175,000 viewers!

Stay connected with us on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn for the latest Faculty updates and stories across education, research and our community.

3 Videos

24k Gold LabubuVoiceover my day Guess mum's thesis

Watch more

Alchemy is produced by the Marketing Office, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University
Managing Editor: Rachel Ung · Writers: Emma Sorensen, Ralph Grayden, Caitlin Owyong, Kate Carthew and Larissa Ham
Photography: Hugh Davies, Ryan Wheatley, Kelli Morris · Research and distribution: Marian Simkin · Web and design: Anna Nguyen
Disclaimer: Views expressed in Alchemy are those of the authors and persons quoted and are not necessarily those of the Monash Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University.