Our people: the voices of Menzies

In our 40th anniversary year, we set out to highlight our research and the remarkable people who drive it.

On the fourth Wednesday of each month, our team joined ABC Radio Darwin Afternoons Program with Jess Ong, to hear the journeys and stories of what it’s like to work at Menzies.

Listeners met our diverse community, from early career researchers who joined us through training pathways, through to leading experts in their fields with decades of history at Menzies. Each conversation offered an insight into the innovation, passion, curiosity and commitment that defines our work, as well as the unique and diverse people who make our work matter. 

Throughout the year we’ve heard the following journeys and stories: 

• Associate Professor Supriya Mathew discussed climate change research.
• Professor Amanda Leach shared insights on ear and hearing health research.
• Professor Ric Price spoke about global and tropical health and malaria research.
• Henry Craigie shared his pathway into Menzies and community engagement in renal dialysis.
• Dr Sarah Clifford spoke about her PhD journey and research on alcohol policy.
• Associate Professor Aunty Vicki Wade highlighted the efforts underway to address rheumatic heart disease.
• Professor Stephanie Yerkovich talked through Menzies lung health and bronchiectasis research.
• Danielle Aquino shared insights on community engagement and working with parents and health services to help develop culturally relevant parenting resources.
• Royce Ramsamy spoke about his health career pathway and work across Menzies research teams. 
• Emma Weaver shared insights into her journey into public health and type 2 diabetes research. 

Across the series, listeners heard powerful stories from people tackling major health challenges both locally and globally. They included experiences that sparked careers in health research, reflections on life-changing public health solutions, and reminders that persistent childhood symptoms like coughs, ear infections or fevers are warning signs that cannot be ignored. 

Others shared how long-term research has transformed national and international treatment approaches, and how culturally grounded, community-led work is vital in health research. The series also highlighted the importance of strengthening community connections, and discussed career pathways through traineeships, study and hands-on research. 

The stories shared remind us that Menzies is more than a research institution, it’s a community of people shaping healthier futures across the Northern Territory, Australia, Timor-Leste and the diverse global regions were we work.