Cairns City Aerial ViewA Hub for Tropical Health Research
The Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) based at James Cook University (JCU) is at the forefront of this mission. AITHM’s state-of-the-art $65 million research facility is home to 119 researchers and 603 members, all working towards a brighter future for those living in the tropics. The institute’s research spans biomolecular, molecular, genomic, epidemiological, entomological, and health systems disciplines, forwarding innovation and collaboration with key organisations worldwide.
Alex Loukas, Head of Research and Co-founder of Paragen Bio at AITHM, emphasises the institute’s global impact: “Cairns has a growing reputation and has firmly cemented its global position. It is internationally recognised in tropical disease research, both at the molecular level and in the delivery of health systems and public health solutions. We address the unique challenges faced by people living in tropical regions.”
He adds: “Our ultimate goal – what truly excites us, is advancing a project to the stage where it can be brought to market. This involves developing a vaccine or diagnostic test and witnessing its application to enhance people’s health.”
Pioneering Research & Global Collaboration
AITHM’s research is globally acclaimed and well-funded,, with research groups that are among the best in the world. Professor Loukas highlights the institute’s focus on early-stage discovery and development of molecules for vaccines, many of which progress to clinical trials conducted at JCU. “The work that goes on primarily is aimed at early stages of discovery and development of molecules that could be incorporated into vaccines and then taking that forward into clinical trials, many of which we do here at JCU,” he says.
The diverse and culturally rich environment at AITHM attracts researchers from across the globe. Loukas adds: “Some of the research groups here are the best in the world and are recognised internationally for what they do. At one point, we had researchers here from every continent across the globe, for example Europe, United States, Asia, and Africa. Scientific labs are usually very culturally diverse places and here in Cairns that’s no exception. A lot of people come here because of the great science we do but they also want to go diving on the reef or walking through the rainforest.”
Addressing Global Health Challenges
Denise Doolan, a Professorial Research Fellow at JCU, specialises in malaria, a disease that threatens nearly half the world’s population. “My research is dedicated to malaria, which poses a serious risk to billions globally, resulting in approximately 200 million clinical cases and half a million deaths each year. Malaria has significantly impacted the human genome, being one of the largest drivers of evolutionary change within it.” explains Doolan.
Doolan’s personal connection to tropical infectious diseases, having been born in Papua New Guinea, drives her dedication to improving health outcomes for underserved populations. Her team’s work on developing a cross-species vaccine against malaria aims to protect against all five species of the malaria parasite, a significant step towards reducing the global burden of this disease.
Addtionally, living and working in the tropics offers unique opportunities for innovation. Cairns Hospital, known for its exceptional survival rates for the rare tropical disease melioidosis, exemplifies the region’s healthcare excellence. Dr. Hanson, an infectious disease specialist at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, notes that the overall mortality rate for melioidosis in Far North Queensland is now below 10%, one of the lowest in the world, thanks to early recognition, prompt antibiotic treatment, and advancements in sepsis management.
A Premier Destination for Business Events
The Cairns Convention Centre is well-equipped to host high-profile conventions, attracting experts and professionals from around the globe. Its state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology, and strategic location with excellent flight connections make it an ideal venue for international conferences.
Janet Hamilton, General Manager of Cairns Convention Centre, explains: “Cairns’ expertise lies in its ability to address tropical health challenges through innovative research and collaboration. Our work here is crucial for improving health outcomes in tropical regions globally.”
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Contact details: +61 7 4042 4200 / sales@cairnsconvention.com.au
Recently, the Centre hosted prestigious conferences such as Quantum Hadron Spectrum and Viruses of Microbes in 2024. Jeremy J. Barr, Associate Professor at Monash University and Co-Chair of Viruses of Microbes 2024, praised the Cairns Convention Centre, saying, “The facilities at the Cairns Convention Centre are world-class, some of the best in the country, and Cairns’ regional character kept a local, connected feel for the meeting. The team were incredible throughout this whole process. They were extremely professional and responsive. It’s been an optimal location for a conference; we couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
Kate Smith, Managing Director of WALDRONSMITH Management, who provided PCO services for the conference, added, “Cairns was certainly a standout. Its beautiful appeal, especially in July, and its world-famous Great Barrier Reef were key factors in attracting international attendees to the conference. The combination of these aspects along with the conference infrastructure on offer gave the committee the confidence to choose Cairns. aspects gave the committee the confidence to choose Cairns.”
Looking ahead, 2025 promises another year of national and international Health and Medical conferences, including the Congress of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedics Association, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), and the AUS-oMicS Conference.
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