MI-CRE 2026 Annual Research Symposium and Policy Forum
5-6 August 2026
From silos to synergy: interdisciplinary approaches to accelerate medicines intelligence
Symposium Co-Chairs: Prof Sallie Pearson and Dr Lachlan Dalli
The NHMRC Medicines Intelligence Centre of Research Excellence (MI-CRE) brings together a diverse, national network of researchers, consumers, policy makers, and educators committed to improving the quality use of medicines through better evidence. Now in its sixth year, MI-CRE continues to foster collaboration and innovation to generate real-world insights informing policy and practice.
Join us for the 2026 MI-CRE Annual Research Symposium and Policy Forum, taking place 5–6 August 2026 at UNSW Sydney.
This year’s theme, “From silos to synergy: interdisciplinary approaches to accelerate medicines intelligence" highlights the critical role of cross-disciplinary collaboration in advancing research and translational impact. The Symposium will showcase how integrating diverse data sources, methods, and perspectives—across clinical trials, real-world data, health economics, qualitative and quantitative approaches, and disease areas—can generate more meaningful and faster insights to improve health outcomes.
We are delighted to welcome Professor Sophia Zoungas, Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health, Australia, as our keynote speaker—an internationally recognised leader in diabetes, cardiovascular outcomes, and large-scale clinical trials.
This year includes a dynamic program of themed abstract sessions spanning the breadth of pharmacoepidemiology, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and real-world impact, along with panel discussions and opportunities to engage with leaders from academia, government, industry, and the community.
Whether you are part of the MI-CRE network or simply interested in how interdisciplinary collaboration can accelerate medicines intelligence, we warmly invite you to attend.
You can register for either or both days of this in-person event, but please note that Day 2 of the Symposium is focused on internal activities of MI-CRE and may not be of interest to our external stakeholders.
View the draft program now, with further program details to be announced shortly.
Keynote speaker
Professor Sophia Zoungas
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Professor Sophia Zoungas is a clinical endocrinologist and internationally recognised clinician–scientist, currently Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health Australia. Her work focuses on large-scale clinical trials and cohort studies addressing the prevention and management of chronic disease, with particular impact on global clinical guidelines for blood pressure and glucose control in diabetes.
A leader in translational research, Sophia has driven major international studies including the landmark ADVANCE and ADVANCE ON trials, and leads the Australian Diabetes Clinical Quality Registry to advance best-practice care. She has also held prominent leadership roles across the sector, including as President of the Australian Diabetes Society and Chair of the National Association for Diabetes Centres.
Her research bridges clinical insight and public health impact, improving outcomes for people with chronic disease worldwide. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and has held senior academic and clinical leadership roles at Monash University and Alfred Health.
- Day 1
- Day 2
Wednesday 5th August
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00–9:15 | Arrive and register |
| 9:15–9:25 | Opening and welcome: Symposium Co-Chairs |
| 9:25–10:15 | Keynote speaker: Prof Sophia Zoungas, Executive Director, The George Institute |
| 10:15–11:00 | Abstract session 1 |
| 11:00–11:30 | Morning tea |
| 11:30–12:45 | Abstract Session 2 |
| 12:45–1:45 | Lunch and poster session |
| 1:45–3:00 | ‘On the Couch’ with our EMCR panellists |
| 3:00–3:30 | Afternoon tea |
| 3:30–4:30 | Seeding synergy: newly funded projects driving interdisciplinary impact |
| 4:30–5:00 | Abstract awards and closing remarks |
Thursday 6th August
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00–9:15 | Arrive and register |
| 9:15–10:45 | 60-day dispensing program presentations and discussion |
| 10:45–11:15 | Morning tea |
| 11:15–12:45 | Portfolio meetings |
| 12:45–2:00 | Lunch and ‘Minute with a Mentor’ |
| 2:00–3:00 | Whole MI-CRE meeting |
| 3:00–3:45 | Team activity – Translate that Abstract, Take 2! |
| 3:45–4:00 | Closing remarks and wrap-up |