Multiple Sclerosis - The Way Ahead

The event

Our understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its impact on individuals, families and the community has increased significantly in the past 20 years, but incidence of the disease is rising and at this stage there is no cure. Researchers at Menzies, with national and international collaborators, are playing an important role in answering the questions on what influences the onset and progression of MS. The disease affects more than 23,000 Australians and Tasmanians are at a higher risk of developing the disease than other Australians. In addition to its toll on individuals and families, in economic terms MS costs Australia over $1 billion per year.

In this public talk for Science Week Menzies researchers will speak about the research they have under way and will look ahead to likely research directions in the next 10 years. We are delighted to welcome Mr Andrew Potter, the National Advocacy Coordinator for Multiple Sclerosis Australia, to speak at this event.

Professor Bruce Taylor

Professor Taylor is Professor of Neurological Research at Menzies and a neurologist at the Royal Hobart Hospital. His principal areas of research lie in the field of MS epidemiology, including the personal, clinical and genetic factors that are associated with the onset and progression of MS. This involves the development and management of complex cohort studies and gene-environment interaction studies.
Professor Taylor receives funding from organisations including the NHMRC, MS Research Australia and the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation.

Associate Professor Ingrid van der Mei

Associate Professor van der Mei’s research focuses on understanding why people get MS and what influences the progression. She targets factors that have the potential to be modified (eg, lifestyle, exposure to viruses) but also brings in genetics by examining how genes interact with modifiable lifestyle factors. Associate Professor van der Mei is the Managing Director of the Australian MS Longitudinal Study  and the Chief Investigator on the Primary Progressive MS Study and the MS WorkSmart Program. She has worked closely with the Cancer Council to produce sun exposure recommendations, and has been influential in public health advocacy.
Associate Professor van der Mei receives funding from the NHMRC and MS Research Australia.

Dr Kaylene Young

Dr Young is an internationally recognised oligodendrocyte and myelin biologist, with expertise in behavioural neuroscience, cell biology and electrophysiology. She has dedicated her career to studying the cellular processes that underpin neural plasticity and disease, including the study of immature stem cell populations in the brain. She aims to understand the processes that regulate cell generation in order to direct cell regeneration in the adult central nervous system.
Dr Young receives funding from the NHMRC and MS Research Australia.

Mr Andrew Potter

Tasmanian resident Andrew Potter was diagnosed with MS at age 23. He became an advocate for MS Australia in 2008 to assist others with MS, and in 2014 became the National Coordinator for the National Advocates Program. In May 2015, Andrew joined Oceans of Hope, a 67-foot yacht crewed by people with MS that has sailed around the World to inspire others with the condition. Andrew took part in the Auckland to Sydney leg, followed by sails to Newcastle, Southport, Cairns, Thursday Island  and Darwin.

Tea and coffee will be provided from 5.30pm. The talk will start at 6pm.