At the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD), we are committed to nurturing the next generation of research leaders. Recently, we proudly sponsored two inspiring events: the Perth Immunology Group Meeting and the Students in Health and Medical Research Conference (SHMRC).

The Perth Immunology Group Meeting, held in late October, brought together a dynamic group of 68 students, early to mid-career researchers, and senior researchers from various universities and institutes. We hope NCARD’s sponsorship played a part in the showcasing of the high-quality immunology research being conducted in Perth. Participants commented that “the meeting had engaging talks that will leave a lasting impression”.

The ‘National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases People’s Choice Award’ was presented to Xueting Ye from Telethon Kids Institute (TKI) on day two of the meeting. The Perth Immunology Group expressed gratitude to NCARD, along with other sponsors, for their vital role in making the event possible.

Additionally, NCARD sponsored the 2023 Students in Health and Medical Research Conference (SHMRC). Our Scientific Director, Prof Jenette Creaney and computational biology expert, Dr Melvin Chin represented NCARD at the event, with Jenette judging presentations and Melvin delivering a sponsor’s address. A highlight of NCARD’s involvement was the presentation of the ‘NCARD and IRH Excellence Award’ to Shayan Rasartnam, whose presentation focused on using a machine-learning approach to increase the speed of generating cell counts from clinical samples for chronic respiratory disease management.

We are delighted to have supported these local meetings which foster the future of research excellence in Perth. They provide a platform for students and researchers in the fields of immunology and health sciences to showcase their outstanding work. Congratulations to the award winners and thank you to the organising committees for allowing us to contribute, support, and acknowledge our local research community.