Annual review 2025: Burnet's highlights

2025 was a reflection of Burnet’s continued commitment to improving health equity in Australia, the Pacific and globally.

Through our collaborators and supporters, our teams have focused on practical solutions to major health challenges, guided by evidence. These highlights reflect what can be achieved when researchers, communities, partners, local leaders and governments work together towards better health and greater equity.

January

Marking the 5-year anniversary of the COVID-19 global health emergency, Burnet’s Associate Professor Suman Majumdar shared his thoughts on what has been learned – and what remains to be done. In his report, Suman noted that Burnet researchers continue to make leading contributions to evidence and actions on airborne transmission and indoor air quality, while pursuing new approaches to improve care for people living with long COVID.

February

Burnet researchers Professor Joshua Vogel and Associate Professor Nick Scott received NHMRC Investigator Grants to advance their pioneering work. Joshua’s research focuses on improving pre-eclampsia prevention in communities with limited resources. Nick is gathering the evidence needed to develop affordable, sustainable roadmaps for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV elimination in Australia and globally.

March

Following the United States’ pause on foreign aid and deep cuts to global HIV funding, Burnet researchers modelled the potential consequences. Their analysis suggests that, in the worst‐case scenario, reduced investment could lead to more than 10 million extra HIV infections over the next 5 years, and almost 3 million additional deaths.

April

A new study from Burnet researchers found that introducing needle and syringe programs inside Australian prisons could prevent hundreds of hepatitis C and injection-related infections, while reducing treatment costs. With modelling demonstrating major health and economic benefits, this work provides important evidence to inform national discussions on eliminating hepatitis C by 2030.

May

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), Burnet and local partners are working together through the STRIVE project to support frontline health workers to detect, track and respond to outbreaks of malaria and other vector-borne diseases. The group’s baseline assessment, now published, provides the evidence base for new strategies that will equip local workers with quality surveillance data and new skills in data analysis, enabling them to make informed decisions in real time.

June

Burnet and Catholic Church Health Services co-developed a Key Population Sensitisation Manual to help healthcare workers in PNG engage with the people most at risk of HIV. It’s all part of an initiative to establish peer-led networks of counsellors and community advocates to help reduce stigma and improve access to care. The model is now being adapted for use in Fiji. 

July

We opened our new office in Vanuatu to deepen the partnerships that Burnet and local leaders have been building over several years. Led by Country Representative Kali Ameara, the team will be working alongside government and regional partners to strengthen local health systems and support community-led solutions. Priorities include pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance, immunisation and triple elimination efforts to tackle HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis.

August

New Memorandums of Understanding with the National Department of Health and the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority in Papua New Guinea (PNG) were signed and will strengthen cooperation in public health research and service delivery. The agreements bring a shared focus to pressing health priorities, from infectious disease control to family health, and create opportunities to support PNG’s research agenda and health plan.

September

More than 300 global leaders gathered at a landmark UN event co-convened by Burnet and international partners to support the first call for clean indoor air to be recognised as an important human right. Evidence shows that improving indoor air can reduce the spread of airborne infections including influenza and COVID-19. With over 150 organisations already signing the pledge, this moment marks a significant shift toward treating indoor air with the same seriousness as clean water and food.

October

In partnership with the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority, Burnet is introducing integrated, mobile screening for tuberculosis and related health conditions in communities and workplaces across PNG. Using portable X-ray technology and AI (artificial intelligence) tools, the team has already reached more than 1,300 people, enabling earlier TB diagnoses and connecting individuals to care for diabetes, hypertension and other conditions.

November

Burnet joined partners across the research sector in calling for the full and timely release of Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) commitments. The MRFF was created to drive discoveries into better treatments and stronger health systems, yet only a portion of its promised funding has been disbursed to date. Ensuring it makes funds available as intended is crucial if medical research is to continue to provide new innovations, improved capabilities and hope for a better future to all Australians.

December

Dr Jeanne Marrazzo delivered a keynote at the inaugural Australian Institute for Infectious Disease Oration. Burnet is a foundation partner of the AIID.

An internationally recognised leader in infectious diseases, Dr Marrazzo spoke about the consequences of collapsing public trust, weakened institutions, and rising misinformation.

Dr Marazzo added: without strong systems, trusted institutions and equitable access, even the most extraordinary scientific breakthroughs may fail to reach the people who need them most.