A community vision was realised when a world-class upgrade to imaging capabilities was unveiled at the Hunter Medical Research Imaging Centre on Monday, 9 February. True testament to the power of community, the Hunter now hosts the nation’s most advanced scanner.
Co-funded by the Mark Hughes Foundation with proceeds from the Men’s Vietnam to Cambodia Trek in 2024, this partnership is a collaboration between Siemens Healthineers, HMRI, the University of Newcastle, National Imaging Facility and the MHF, and is set to strengthen the region’s capacity for world-class imaging research. “At the MHF we team up to raise funds that will make the greatest impact in brain cancer research, and we’re especially proud of this funding commitment,” said Mark Hughes OAM, who attended the launch alongside trekkers Bob Hawes and Jarrod O’Doherty who laced up their boots in support of brain cancer research. “We are proud to fund people, research projects, and, with this project, big equipment that makes research happen,” Mark added.
This equipment will be a game-changer for researchers at the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research, with 10 researchers in the team set to transform their projects with this new equipment. The new scanner is one of the most advanced 3T MRI systems available and delivers faster, higher resolution scans, reducing the time participants spend in the scanner while producing sharper, more detailed images. Associate Professor Saadallah Ramadan, Director of the HMRI Imaging Centre, and Imaging Stream Leader at the MHF Centre said this launch is a significant win for our regions and community. “What truly makes today unique — and what makes our region unique — is the sheer number of partnerships and the spirit behind them,” Associate Professor Ramadan said. “The collaboration, the support, the willingness to problem solve together… it has been exceptional.”
Learn more about the scanner and it’s unveiling here.
