Support for medical research in Queensland

Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Director, Professor Michael Good, has welcomed and thanked the Federal Government for the allocation of $55 million announced in the Federal Budget.

Professor Good said the funds would be used towards the construction of a new state of the art 13 floor research facility at the QIMR site at Herston, Brisbane.

“This represents a significant investment by the Federal Government in medical research in Queensland and further demonstrates this State’s and QIMR’s position nationally and internationally as a leader in innovation and research,” Professor Good said.

The investment will support the construction of a new building which in the short term will create 360 full-time construction jobs. Upon completion the facility will attract an additional 400 scientists and students, support new research programs including mental health and Indigenous health and allow the expansion of QIMR’s highly successful education program.

“This funding will go a long way towards the construction of a new research hub that will enable us to increase our capacity to perform world class medical research aimed at improving the health of all people”, explains Professor Good.

“The capital expansion will allow the introduction of the Mental Health Research Division. This is a new direction for QIMR and is aimed at improving our understanding of serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, mood disorders and neurodegenerative diseases”, explains Professor Good.

“The new building will also enable significant expansion of our Indigenous Health, Tropical Health and Biosecurity as well as Cancer and Genetics research”.

“We are also very excited about a new High School Research laboratory that will be used to conduct student and teacher workshops in order to increase science literacy and inspire the scientists of tomorrow”.

“This financial support strongly aligns with the Government’s focus on preventative health and the national agenda to contribute globally to biomedical research and development.”