South Australian MND - Research, Care & Collaboration Symposium

The South Australian MND – Research, Care and Collaboration Symposium is a collaborative initiative led by the Motor Neurone Disease Association of South Australia Inc (MNDSA), Flinders University, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), and the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN). This event serves as a vital platform for sharing the latest research, advancements in care, and fostering collaboration to improve outcomes for people living with MND across South Australia.

With the theme "Paving the Way for Effective Treatments and Brighter Futures for MND", the symposium will bring together leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and advocates dedicated to tackling MND.

The event will take place on Friday, 2nd May 2025, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, at the Health & Medical Research Building, Flinders University, Bedford Park.

ATTENDEES WILL INCLUDE:

• High profile speakers specialising in Motor Neurone Disease Research and Care
• Individuals with lived experience of Motor Neurone Disease
• Philanthropic and caregiving organisations committed to supporting the MND community

SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS ANNOUCED
(Last updated 17/04/2025: further announcements coming soon) 

Keynote Speaker - Professor David Berlowitz

Beben Benyamin - Genetics in MND

Dr Sarah Bennett - Fight MND Grants - Finding a Cure and Improving Care

Laura Cooper - Respiratory Physio

Prof. Mary-Louise Rogers - How do we Measure Efficacy of Drugs Tested in MND Clinical Trials?

Yee Lian Chew - Tiny Worms, Big Discoveries: Investigating ALS/MND Disease

Zachary Munn - The Australian MND Guideline Development Project 

Clare Sullivan - MND Australia Research Update 

David Schultz - State of the field in New Trials 

Peter Catcheside - Developing new technology to help streamline respiratory sleep health care

Dr Marnie Graco - Disparities in access and uptake of non-invasive ventilation in MND across Australia 

Rebecca Francis - Cognition & Swallowing 

Dr Chris Bye - Using stem cell technologies to find new treatments for sporadic MND

Amy Brown - Nutrition Matters: The development of evaluation of a web0based app (PEG Ed) and decision-making tool for MND patients and their carers considering gastrostomy feeding  

Natarsha Emerson - Understanding what matter - exploring values and wishes when swallowing changes  

Dr Anna Konpka - Novel insight into the link between DNA damage and aberrant neural activity in MND 

Dr Megan Fowler -  Endogenous retrovirus as cause of MND

Dr Karen Nobes - Palliative Care: Journey of Disadvantage Improving the access to / and delivery of Palliative Care for underserved populations in MND

For more information on the event please see the website here