ResearchFest 2026 has wrapped up after two inspiring days of discussion, collaboration and celebration, bringing together researchers, clinicians, consumer partners and staff from across Austin Health to explore this year's theme, 'The future of research'. The event highlighted the depth and diversity of research across the organisation, from consumer partnership and health services research through to flagship programs in immunocompromised host research and critical care.  

Opening keynote speaker Associate Professor Kimberley Haines challenged attendees to rethink traditional approaches to consumer engagement, encouraging researchers to move beyond transactional relationships and towards genuine partnerships with people who have lived experience. Drawing on her own research journey, she shared practical strategies for building, sustaining and strengthening partnerships, while highlighting the importance of engaging diverse communities and ensuring consumer voices help shape research from the outset. 

Consumer partnership remained a central theme throughout the event. Another keynote speaker Professor John Fraser AO stressed the importance of engaging with consumers “just like your Mum”; and one standout example of collaboration swept the board across two award categories: Congratulations to Huda Elmi and team whose project 'When health professionals and our Muslim patients work together, we can support fasting and safe medicine use during Ramadan' claimed the 2026 Consumer Partnership Award as well as the Audience Choice Award at the Quality Improvement session.  

Research translation and impact were recurring topics throughout the program. During the Nursing Research and Innovation Symposium and Quality Improvement presentations, speakers explored how evidence generated through research can be implemented in real-world healthcare settings. Discussions reinforced the growing importance of implementation science and ensuring research findings translate into meaningful improvements at the bedside and across health services. Congratulations to Melissa Stevens for taking home the Nurse-Led Research Award for her presentation 'Adherence to Time-to-Intervention Benchmarks in Severe Aortic Stenosis: Are Delays Associated with Mortality?' 

Day two opened with a health services research focus, led by keynote speaker Professor Harriet Hiscock, Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Health Services Research Unit. An engaging panel discussion, chaired by Professor Jason Trubiano and featuring Austin Health CEO Jodie Geissler, Professor Harriet Hiscock, Professor Euan Wallace from Monash Health and local IBD Pharmacist Patrick Hilley, explored the future of health services research, with panellists discussing funding challenges, workforce development, research infrastructure and the importance of aligning research priorities with the needs of patients and health systems. 

"Health services research sits at the heart of healthcare improvement. As we discussed during the panel, the best research starts with real-world challenges and is driven by the needs of our patients and community,” she said. 

“By investing in research capability, collaboration and innovation, Austin Health is helping shape a healthier future and ensuring new knowledge translates into meaningful change for patients." 

A major highlight of ResearchFest was the launch of Austin Health's research flagships, providing a bold vision for the future of research across the organisation. The inaugural flagship spotlight focused on Immunocompromised Host research, featuring presentations that demonstrated the strength of collaboration across laboratory science, medicine, nursing and translational research. The session also included presentation of the inaugural Women in Research Award to Professor Eliza Hawkes in recognition of her outstanding contribution to research leadership.

Poster walks were a new feature on the program this year with ResearchFest Steering Committee Members hosting facilitated discussions across common themes in posters on display in the Library – another opportunity to shine a light on two of our research flagships. 

The program also celebrated emerging research talent through the Early Career Researcher Grand Rounds, hosted by Dr Natasha Holmes, with four outstanding presentations competing for the AMRF Early Career Research Award. Congratulations to Dr Aniket Nadkarni, who took out the award for his project 'GLP-1 is not superior to insulin for glycaemic control during stress hyperglycaemia'.  

Attendees were also treated to the Critical Care Symposium, including the inaugural Professor Rinaldo Bellomo Critical Care Lecture presented by Associate Professor Ary Serpa Neto; and an engaging keynote from Professor John Fraser AO, who challenged conventional thinking about intensive care design and reminded researchers that improving patient outcomes must remain the ultimate goal.  

The event concluded with a thought-provoking plenary session and panel discussion featuring Professor John Fraser AO, Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, Professor Brett Sutton AO and Professor Elif Ekinci, who explored the future of research, translation and impact.  

ResearchFest then closed with the annual ResearchFest Awards including the announcement of the 2026 Austin Health Distinguished Scientist Professor Mark Howard, and a networking drinks celebration in the Innovation Space.  

Professor Jason Trubiano, Director of Research, thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the event. 

"ResearchFest 2026 showcased the extraordinary talent, passion and commitment that exists across Austin Health. I am incredibly proud of our research community, from our consumer partners and early career researchers through to our established leaders,” he said. 

“Together, we're building a research culture that is collaborative, ambitious and focused on making a genuine difference for patients. Thank you to everyone who presented, participated, volunteered and supported ResearchFest." 

Special thanks to the ResearchFest Steering Committee members Professor Sue Berney, Associate Professor Ary Serpa Neto, Associate Professor Natasha Holmes, Associate Professor Charissa Zaga, Melissa Dineen, Liz Walkley, Simone Taylor and Kate Trescowthick for their efforts to deliver another successful ResearchFest. A huge shout out to Director of Research Professor Jason Trubiano who fearlessly led the program, and supported the team to deliver an engaging event. 

Special mention also to the tireless team working behind the scenes to bring it all together including Heidi Gaulke, Mari New, Cuong Nguyen, the entire Library team (especially Monica Simpson), Sharon Hankinson, Don Dewasurendra and Norma Ward.