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Monash’s next generation of world-changing breakthroughs

Join us in celebrating ten significant, world-leading research advances that pushed the boundaries of knowledge to drive major societal, economic and environmental impacts in 2025.

Selected from a university-wide consultation and shortlisting process, these ten initiatives highlight Monash’s commitment to collaborative partnerships and world-changing breakthroughs, underpinned by our deep knowledge that research excellence is inseparable from societal, environmental and economic impact.

Advancing knowledge, solving problems, changing lives


Engineering the next-gen of heart devices for patients with heart failure

Through the collaborative and multidisciplinary Artificial Heart Frontiers Program, we achieved a world first – successfully discharging a patient from hospital with a total artificial heart.

The program is a partnership with BiVACOR, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, UQ, Alfred Health, UNSW, QUT, Griffith University and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.

Research leads: David Kaye and Shaun Gregory

Learn more


Monitoring global internet freedom

The Monash IP Observatory is using AI to monitor millions of data points each day – providing actionable evidence through real-time data, including during global conflicts.

Research leads:
Simon Angus
Paul Raschky
Klaus Ackermann

Proving Bacterial Vaginosis is sexually transmissible

Monash researchers demonstrated that Bacterial Vaginosis is sexually transmissible – a discovery changing global clinical guidelines and enabling more effective treatments that benefit everyone.

Research leads:
Catriona Bradshaw
Lenka Vodstrcil
Erica Plummer

Monash Spinout extracts and refines lithium without water

Monash spinout ElectraLith is perfecting proprietary membrane technology (DLE-R) that extracts and refines battery-grade lithium in a single step without the use of water or chemicals.

Research leads:
Huanting Wang
Emily Wang
Charles McGill
ElectraLith team

Protecting victim-survivors of sexual violence

Monash expertise drove national legislative reform to uplift safety and support for every person who has experienced sexual violence across Australian jurisdictions.

Research lead:
Becky Batagol

Lowering the cost of sustainable green hydrogen

Our researchers are advancing breakthroughs that could make green hydrogen an affordable global reality and a practical alternative to fossil fuels.

Research leads:
Alexandr Simonov
Darcy Simodson

Cutting emissions and delays in urban corridors

With partners, Monash researchers engineered a city-wide digital traffic light system in Ho Chi Minh that cuts travel congestion by 20%, improves safety and reduces emissions.

Research leads:
Dong Ngo Duy
Le Hai Vu

Turning Algae into the future of clean industry

Our researchers in Malaysia have pioneered a promising microalgae biorefinery process that captures carbon dioxide and converts it into high-value products including food, energy and pharmaceuticals.

Research leads:
Saman Ilankoon
Shafeeq Ahmed Syed Ali
Manuja Dayanath
Morgan Loh

Mapping the LYCHOS protein

Monash researchers discovered how sensor protein LYCHOS functioned at a molecular level to signal cell growth, leading to a new drug target for cancer and metabolic diseases.

Research leads:
Charles Bayly-Jones
Chris Lupton
Andrew Ellisdon
Michelle Halls

Stem cell transplant revolution for blood cancer

A world-first randomised clinical trial superseded 40 years of traditional treatment by proving a new drug protocol for aggressive blood cancers.

Research lead:
David Curtis