Six new community-funded research projects announced for 2026
Six new Tasmanian‑led medical research projects aim to improve both patient care and clinician workplace health outcomes following a major community investment by the Clifford Craig Foundation, with more than $206,000 in new research grants awarded for 2026.
The funding supports research projects tackling some of the state’s most pressing health challenges – from workplace safety in operating theatres to cancer care in regional communities, ensuring research remains both locally driven and directly relevant to Tasmanians.
CEO Vanessa Cahoon, Events Manager Rebecca Welsh, Professor George Razay MP, Beryl Osborne OAM, John Osborne OAM.
Orthopaedic surgery noise exposure - occupational safety
Orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Laurent Willemot, has received $10,520 to investigate whether smartphones can accurately measure noise exposure during orthopaedic surgery. High noise levels from surgical tools pose long‑term health risks to operating staff, and this pilot study aims to create a simple, universally available monitoring solution to improve occupational safety.
Diabetes management at hospital
Improving outcomes for people living with diabetes is the focus of a $27,497 grant awarded to Dr Giuliana Murfet, a diabetes Nurse Practitioner. Her project will trial a digital inpatient triage tool that identifies high‑risk patients with diabetes as soon as they are admitted to hospital, helping reduce avoidable complications and ensuring faster access to specialist care. The project is taking place at North West Regional Hospital in Burnie. Clifford Craig Foundation has recently expanded its regional impact to include the North West region of Tasmania.
“This project puts the North West region at the centre of a diabetic care trial holding potential scalability at an international level,” said Clifford Craig Foundation CEO, Vanessa Cahoon.
Surgery decision regret
A further $39,482 has been awarded to Dr Telena Kerkham to examine decision regret among patients assessed through the High‑Risk Preoperative Clinic at Launceston General Hospital. By following patients who choose surgery and those who opt out, the study aims to strengthen shared decision‑making and improve long‑term patient satisfaction.
Dr Telena Kerham presenting her newly funded Surgery Decision Regret study plan.
Immune therapies
Two major disease‑focused studies round out the funding. Dr Sukhwinder Sohal has received $80,000 for research into idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, exploring how blocking a harmful immune pathway could slow lung scarring and open the door to new treatments for this incurable disease. Meanwhile, Associate Professor Darren Henstridge has been awarded $49,168 to investigate the use of mRNA technology in treating fatty liver disease, an increasingly common condition projected to affect more than half of adults worldwide by 2040.
Genetic testing and cancer care
In addition, $80,000 has been invested in a rural cancer care project led by Dr Lauren Akesson, trialling the Genetics Adviser digital tool to help people in regional areas make informed decisions about cancer genetic testing.
Clifford Craig Foundation CEO Vanessa Cahoon said every dollar of community funding stays in Tasmania, backing clinicians who understand the unique needs of local patients and delivering research that has an immediate, real‑world impact.