MED NORRTH Research Conference
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MED NORRTH Research Conference
MED NORRTH (Northern Outcomes in Regional Research, Translation, and Health) Conference
MED NORRTH offers medical students, junior doctors and local and national medical and health researchers an opportunity to showcase their evidence-based research, build connections and learn more about research in northern Queensland.
The conference provides a range of opportunities to present and learn about research and includes oral and poster presentations, a keynote speaker, panel discussion, and a hands-on workshop
The MED NORRTH conference provides a platform for:
- Disseminating and discussing research in a friendly and supportive space (at early career doctor/ medical student level)
- Inspiring doctors to further engage in research and to build research confidence
- Exposure to new research ideas, and to hear about research that is being done by researchers who are working and/or studying in regional, rural and remote settings
- Networking, connecting and building research partnerships with peer researchers
- Helping doctors to improve their CVs and research profiles in preparation for entry into their future specialist training pathways.
For any questions, please contact: cmd.impact@jcu.edu.au
Med NORRTH news and stories
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23rd September 2025
Celebrating the success of the inaugural MED NORRTH conference
On 16 August, the inaugural MED NORRTH (Northern Outcomes in Regional Research, Translation, and Health) conference convened at the Townsville Yacht Club, bringing together medical students, junior doctors and early-career researchers from across northern Australia. Hosted by NQRTH in partnership with JCU’s College of Medicine and Dentistry and the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre (TAAHC), the event provided a focused forum for presenting new findings, exchanging ideas and building research capability. Guided by the theme “Building Research Skills to Advance Regional Health in Australia,” the program highlighted practical, evidence-based approaches to improving health outcomes in regional, rural and remote communities. Through oral and poster presentations, panel discussions and structured networking, participants engaged with peers and mentors, strengthened professional connections and showcased the breadth and excellence of emerging research in the North. Medicine Impact Research Advisor Susan Wright said the event showcased a diverse range of research topics, including telehealth, medical education, and clinical outcomes. “Events such as MED NORRTH foster meaningful networking opportunities, helping attendees build connections and potential collaborations with peers, mentors, and experienced researchers,” Ms Wright said. “This exposure strengthens research confidence and enhances career development by boosting CVs and research profiles which are key assets for many specialist training pathways.”
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23rd September 2025
Exploring Big Questions: JCU Medicine Student Anna Duan
James Cook University fifth year Medicine student Anna Duan has a passion for medical research, she believes it’s what keeps medicine alive. “Without it, we’d just be repeating yesterday’s successes and not really be prepared for tomorrow’s challenges,” Anna says. Herself an eager researcher, Anna currently has three research projects underway and recently presented at the inaugural MED NORRTH Conference, joining a gathering of medical students, junior doctors, and early career researchers from across northern Australia to showcase medical research. The event—hosted by NQRTH, JCU’s College of Medicine and Dentistry, and the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre (TAAHC)—was designed to share ideas, strengthen research skills, and build connections across the North. And Anna says it did just that, and more: “It created space to learn about research in our own region, to hear about methods and approaches that aren’t always taught in textbooks, and to see how questions can be tackled from different disciplines. The panel discussions were thoughtful, and the networking opportunities were invaluable. It also reminded me that research isn’t solitary, it’s something we do together. "I’d love to see more of these events in the future.” Anna’s work stood out at MED NORRTH. She was awarded Best Poster at the event, adding another achievement to her growing list of academic achievements. Her poster project, supervised by Professor Robert Norton, explored whether there might be links between Q fever — a common zoonotic infection in Far North Queensland — and blood cancers. Anna’s current research projects span infectious diseases and public health. “One of my projects, under Emeritus Professor Maxine Whittaker, has been about speaking with doctors, vets, and environmental health workers, to understand how we can apply a ‘One Health’ approach to controlling soil-transmitted worms in humans,” she says. “These parasites affect millions worldwide, and One Health is about finding solutions through collaborative approaches between human, animal and environmental sectors.” She’s also been working with A/Professor Richard Bradbury’s team on diagnostics, comparing a commercial Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test with microscopy to ascertain how accurate and effective they are. Anna says she’s passionate about researching infectious diseases because they highlight global inequities. “I think my love for infectious diseases comes from how honest they are. A virus, a bacterium, a parasite – they don’t discriminate. They follow the rules of biology, yet they reveal the deep inequalities of our world,” she says. “That paradox – where something as small as a worm can shape the destiny of a child, a family, or even a country – is why I am passionate.”
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17th September 2025
How research opens doors for JCU med students and doctors
When second-year medical student Fitsum Abay stepped into the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) laboratory for the first time, he wasn’t just ticking a box, he was testing a future. “I knew about the work happening at AITHM and was curious to see what research was really like, so the bursary felt like a great opportunity to get involved,” he says. “It gave me a chance to step into the lab, challenge myself, and learn from experienced researchers.” That decision led him to a project with big possibilities and deep local roots: Aboriginal Bush Medicine as a Source of Anti-Inflammatory Agents. Guided by Associate Professor Phurpa Wangchuk and supported by Dr Shatarupa Das, Fitsum helped test how compounds drawn from traditional remedies affected human immune cells. “The most eye-opening aspect for me was seeing how much interdisciplinary collaboration was involved, with botanists, immunologists, chemists, and community leaders all working together towards a shared goal,” he says. Turning curiosity into capability Through the Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs (NQRTH) MBBS Summer Research Bursary Program, Fitsum built a toolkit that will serve him on the ward as much as it does at the bench. “I gained hands-on experience in basic lab techniques, immunology, and science communication, which gave me a strong introduction to research,” he says. “Working closely with incredible mentors such as Dr Rupa (Dr Shatarupa Das) allowed me to discover my interest in laboratory work and encouraged me to keep research as part of my career journey in medicine.” That blend of mentorship and method paid off on stage, too. Presenting at the recent MED NORRTH, a research conference hosted by NQRTH, JCU’s College of Medicine and Dentistry, and the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre (TAAHC), was, at first, daunting. “Presenting at MED NORRTH was nerve-racking at first, especially presenting alongside people far more qualified than me, but it turned out to be a really positive experience,” Fitsum says. “Everyone was supportive, and there was such a wide range of interesting projects being shared. Winning the People’s Choice Award was very encouraging and being recognised by people you admire was empowering.”
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7th August 2025
How research opportunities at JCU shape the next generation of medical professionals
When fourth-year JCU medical students Timothy Noack and Oliver Ma step up to present their first systematic review at the upcoming inaugural MED NORRTH (Northern Outcomes in Regional Research, Translation and Health) conference, they’ll be doing more than showcasing a research project — they’ll be stepping into a professional future shaped by curiosity, collaboration and a deep commitment to improving healthcare in regional Australia. Held in Townsville and hosted by Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs (NQRTH), the College of Medicine and Dentistry and the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre (TAAHC), MED NORRTH offers a vital platform for medical students, junior doctors and early career health researchers to build research skills, exchange ideas and foster connections across the north. For Professor Sarah Larkins, Dean of the College of Medicine and Dentistry, events like MED NORRTH are not only a celebration of academic inquiry — they’re a launchpad for impactful careers. “It’s fantastic for junior doctors and senior medical students to have an opportunity to present their research in front of supportive peers,” she said. “It can sometimes be a little intimidating when you're just starting off in research, presenting at conferences, and this is an excellent opportunity for staff to hear about some of the great work that's going on, and students and junior clinicians to hear about some of the research that other people in the system are doing.” Research Grounded in Real-World Challenges What sets JCU’s medical research apart is its connection to local communities and regional health needs. Professor Larkins said many students and junior doctors are drawn to research that addresses real problems they see on the ground. “A lot of local medical students and junior doctors get interested in doing small, clinically relevant research projects that respond to local need,” she said. They see a problem in the system, they see a health concern that's not being responded to, and they get involved in research to fix it. So, it’s research with a real contemporary translational impact,” she said. Medicine Impact Research Advisor Susan Wright agrees. She said early exposure to research develops a broad range of competencies that strengthen clinical reasoning and communication — skills that will serve students well throughout their careers. “Building research skills early in their medical education and training journey allows medical students and junior doctors to develop a broad range of competencies that are essential for future clinical practice,” Ms Wright said. “This includes the ability to critically evaluate evidence, deepen their understanding of clinical care, and gain experience in data analysis, scientific communication, and evidence-based medicine. “Early exposure to research fosters curiosity and confidence, encouraging a proactive approach to learning and innovation. Importantly, engaging in research within regional and rural contexts enables emerging clinicians to contribute meaningfully to medical research and work to towards improving health outcomes.”
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NQRTH is an initiative of the Australian Government's Integrated Rural Training Pipeline (IRTP) and is facilitated by James Cook University in partnership with public and private hospitals, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), health services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and GP clinics.
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