It’s been a big year for the MHF Centre Team. With research collaborations and partnerships near and far, grants awarded and received, and meeting some extraordinary patients and carers.
A standout moment was the launch of an international collaboration with the Gregory Lab at Duke University Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, led by Professor Simon Gregory. Using tissue from the MHF Brain Donor Biobank — made possible by incredibly generous patient donors — researchers will use advanced genomics to better understand how glioblastoma forms, spreads and returns. The work brings together teams from Duke and the MHF Centre, including Dr Cassandra Griffin, Associate Professor Paul Tooney and Professor Mike Fay.
Innovation was also recognised closer to home, with Dr Nikitas Koussis named Emerging Innovator at the Hunter Medical Research Institute Awards for work on a digital platform using real-time data and AI to improve brain cancer care.
Advocacy and connection remained front and centre. The MHF Centre joined the national brain cancer community at Head to the Hill in Canberra with the Brain Tumour Alliance Australia, helped amplify the impact of The Australian Brain Cancer Landscape report, and proudly endorsed Invisible Brain Cancers, highlighting the real social and financial cost of glioma.
Patients and families came together at the 2025 MHF Patient Forum, creating space for honest conversations, shared experiences and hope — a reminder of why this work matters.
On the global stage, MHF researchers attended SNO 2025 in Honolulu, strengthening international partnerships, while collaboration at home continued through the ABCARA Symposium in Brisbane.
Importantly, funds raised through the 2025 NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round will kickstart a bold new project developing highly targeted theranostic treatments — offering new options and hope for patients.
From early-career researchers like PhD candidate Bekki Spratford progressing their work, to new voices for cancer neuroscience led by Professor Hubert Hondermarck, the year reinforced one clear message: progress happens when we work together.
