World class research to improve the brain health of Australians will be driven by a major new affiliation agreement confirmed today by Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW.
Marking a significant milestone for two constituent partners in the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct, the 10-year agreement was signed by NeuRA's CEO, Scientia Professor Matthew Kiernan AM, and the Vice Chancellor and President of UNSW, Professor Attila Brungs.
For the first time, the agreement will create an Affiliation Council to forge deeper collaborations between NeuRA and UNSW and unlock significant co-investment in new research programs, better facilities and the strategic recruitment of academic and research staff.
Those collaborations will reflect the three missions articulated in NeuRA's new research strategy, NeuRA Forward 2025-30, including: to protect brain health across the lifespan; to maximise brain function via the development of precision, science-based strategies that prevent loss of function and protect quality of life; and to advance precision brain diagnostics using neuroscience, genomics, artificial intelligence and data-driven tools.
Crucially the new agreement will also underpin a tripartite model (with South-Eastern Sydney Local Health District) to develop and roll out the infrastructure needed for at-scale implementation of emerging therapies for Alzheimer's Disease.
"This agreement creates opportunities to collaborate on increasingly profound breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment of society's most pressing concerns," said Professor Kiernan.
"It formally aligns the curiosity and agility of a globally recognised medical research institute with the academic power of one of Australia's highest-ranked universities, but also opens up opportunities to align with industry and expedite those outcomes.
"The links between NeuRA and UNSW go back to our founding, but this agreement equips us to pursue research at the cutting edge of neuroscience and brain health."
The affiliation reflects one of the pillars of the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All, enabling healthy lives. One of the main goals is to lead world-class research in precision medicine and technology, and to work with partners and collaborators to turn those discoveries into real-world improvements in people's health and wellbeing.
"From advances in dementia and mental health to discoveries of new treatment paradigms and the clinical translation of novel diagnostics, UNSW and NeuRA have worked on high-impact research to improve the lives of people affected by brain and nervous system conditions," Prof. Brungs said.
"This renewed partnership builds on our deep links and great successes while opening the door to a new chapter. Together, we're taking a significant leap forward - deepening our shared commitment to creating positive societal change and advancing research that makes a real difference, now and for generations to come."
More than 20 senior researchers/academics already hold conjoint positions between NeuRA and UNSW, developing world-class research, teaching and clinical practice across the two institutions.
"We are excited about our recommitment to our partnership with NeuRA. Over the next decade we will work together to discover solutions in neuroscience and brain health through world-class biomedical research at our Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct," said Dean of Medicine & Health Professor Cheryl Jones.
"From internationally renowned research into dementia risk reduction to testing new therapies for human balance and falls prevention in older adults – this collaboration continues to provide meaningful change for people in Australia and around the world."
