Celebrating 75 years of groundbreaking discovery: JCSMR honours its legacy and future at milestone symposium
The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) marked its 75th anniversary with a symposium on 24 October 2024, celebrating its transformative journey in advancing medical research in Australia. Founded in honour of Prime Minister John Curtin, with its foundation stone laid by PM Joseph Benedict Chifley on 24 October 1949, JCSMR has grown into a leading research institution and the proud home of three Nobel Laureates.
This milestone event welcomed JCSMR's own Nobel Laureate Distinguished Professor Peter Doherty as the guest of honour, who emphasised the importance of great institutions in driving scientific innovation.
Rising stars in research, including Dr Xin (Andy) Gao, PhD student Sarah Mann, and Dr Olga Zaytseva, showcased their pioneering work in fields ranging from malaria immunology to brain cancer genetics, underscoring JCSMR's ongoing impact across diverse disciplines.
At the symposium, Amanda Richards-Satour and Dr Hardip Patel from the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics presented Indigenous perspectives in genomic research, advances in autoimmunity, and groundbreaking insights into mRNA functions.
Additionally, Dr Maurice Stanley introduced a breakthrough in personalised medicine targeting ITK-mediated human autoimmunity, and Dr Nikolay Shirokikh provided insights into the full complexity of mRNA function in vivo.
Sessions led by senior JCSMR staff, including Denis Coombes, Sarah Popp, and Dr Peter Milburn, offered insights into the school’s growth and operations. Professor Phil Board delivered a historical overview that resonated deeply with attendees.
In a special panel, six past directors Professor Stephen Redman, Professor Judith Whitworth, Professor Frances Shannon, Professor Chris Parish, Professor Simon Foote and Professor Graham Mann joined the current director, Professor Elizabeth Gardiner, to reflect on JCSMR's rich legacy and its vision for the future.
Closing the event, Acting Dean of the ANU College of Health and Medicine, Professor Ross Hannan, expressed optimism for JCSMR’s continued contributions to medical research and its impact for the next 75 years.
Some highlights of the event.
Photos: Kassapa Senarath/ANU