Explore our multi-level interactive research expo where you can meet the Hunter's leading researchers and explore a wide range of research being undertaken right here in Newcastle. From cancer to asthma and stroke to wellbeing, ground breaking research from across the health spectrum will be right at your fingertips.

Tours will go for about 15 minutes and will begin approximately every 30 minutes. There is no need to register, the tours will run for the entire length of the day.

We're opening the doors to all levels of the HMRI Buildings with lab tours of the cancer & genetics, mothers & babies and stroke labs as well as HMRI's world class Clinical Trials Centre. During the lab tours you will be able to watch experiments taking place, learn about the latest research being conducted and experience a working laboratory. You will also have a chance to ask Hunter researchers about what's new in medical research and learn about the different research trials conducted. These tours are run by the HMRI researchers and employees who are more than happy to answer questions and share their experiences of life in the lab.

Research and Discovery Seminars

The Research and Discovery Seminars are a great way to find out from leading researchers about the latest exciting breakthroughs and what's next on the research agenda across a range of diseases and health areas.



With a focus around a central disease, these seminars are structured as an interactive, mini Q & A style seminar. Each session will feature researchers who will discuss current research, clinical practice and the future of diseases and health followed by questions from the public.



These sessions provide the opportunity for an insight into the new discoveries, new treatments and new hopes for the future. It also allows for those attending to personally engage with researchers.



The research sessions will run for 50 min in the Caves Lecture Theatre and will be held between 10am and 2pm.



There is no reserved seating. Please arrive early if you wish to secure a seat.



Schedule:

10am - Inside Story: What Goes in Must Come Out

Dr Emma Beckett, molecular nutritionist, will share insights into the food we eat. What makes us taste? How your mum’s diet affects what you taste. Why do we make the food choices that we do and are we really what we eat? Now, we know that what goes in must come out, so Associate Professor Simon Keely will talk about food’s digestion and poo. It’s not as simple as it sounds.

11am - Science Meets Fiction Talk: The Weird & Wonderful World of Wounds

Jessica Stokes Parish will take a deep-dive into the wonderful world of fake wounds, moulage and simulation. She’ll explore the history, and discuss how fake wounds, moulage and simulation are used in health and medical research and practice.

12pm - When Good Cells Go Bad

Sometimes good cells in our body can go rogue. When this happens, and they don’t follow the usual rules of growth and division – conditions such as cancer can arise. Dr Anoop Enjeti studies blood disorders such as cancer, and is currently managing clinical trials into acute leukemia, myeloma and myelodysplasia. Dr Tessa Lord will share her insights into fertility research and will explore common issues around sperm and eggs – and how things can go awry.

1pm - Brains, Brains, Brains!

Our brains, we can’t live without them, but what do we know about them? Associate Professor Paul Tooney has been studying the brain for over 20 years – first in the field of Schizophrenia, and now he’s exploring brain cancer. Paul will speak about the mysteries of the brain – why have we been studying this organ for so long, and yet there’s still so much to learn? Professor Frini Karayanidis will speak about the wonders of the brain and approaches to optimise outcomes for young and old.