Hot topics in MS research: our take on the 2022 MS Australia Scientific conference

L-R: Ms Pia Campagna, Dr Michael Zhong

Ms Pia Campagna and Dr Michael Zhong

Michael and I are third year PhD students in the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology (MSNI) Genomics and Prognostics Group, led by Dr Vilija Jokubaitis. We recently attended the 2022 Progress in MS Research Scientific Conference in Hobart, convened by Prof. Helmut Butzkueven, Head of the Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School to present some of our work with academic peers and the wider non-academic community. 

The conference was organised by the peak national organisation for MS research, MS Australia. It has become a key forum for researchers and clinicians to come together and learn about the latest research happening around Australia, with the aim of stimulating innovative research and encouraging collaborations. 

MS Australia incubator grant for investigating effect of pregnancy on MS onset

L-R: Dr Michael Zhong, Ms Maria (Pia) Campagna and Dr Vilija
Jokubaitis have won an MS Australia incubator grant

Congratulations to Dr Michael Zhong, Dr Vilija Jokubaitis and Ms Maria (Pia) Campagna on the award of an incubator grant of $25,000 from MS Australia for their research project, 'The effect of foetal cells in maternal blood on MS during pregnancy'. Dr Zhong is a Neuroimmunology Fellow at the Alfred, and both he and Ms Campagna are PhD students in Dr Vilija Jokubaitis's group. Dr Zhong is leading the research, and Ms Campagna and Dr Jokubaitis are co-investigators.

From their MS Australia project description, they write: