Posted: 15 January 2026
Monash University researchers have been awarded $53.3 million through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grant scheme, with 32 projects having received funding to support innovative health and medical research across one to five years.
“This project uses smartphone cameras and advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to measure blood pressure, marking a significant step toward more accessible and patient-friendly hypertension management,” has been said by Professor Mehmet Yuce from the Faculty of Engineering. His NHMRC-funded project has been designed to enable blood pressure monitoring using smartphone cameras, with particular benefits anticipated for paediatric care and people in remote communities.
“I am extremely delighted with the support that will enable us to build a strong collaboration with experts in cardiovascular science and health informatics across multiple universities and hospitals,” Professor Yuce has said, noting that the funding will help advance the technology toward real-world application.
Dr Bianca Jupp has also been awarded funding for a project examining impulsivity during methamphetamine withdrawal, with a focus on the role of the brain’s immune system. “This is an incredibly exciting outcome for our lab,” Dr Jupp has said. “It gives us the scope and stability to explore an under-examined driver of impulsive behaviour: the brain’s immune system.” She has added that the findings could inform new targeted therapies for methamphetamine use disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
“These awards reflect the outstanding quality and ambition of our researchers,” has been said by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and Senior Vice-President, Professor Robyn Ward AM. She has noted that the funded projects have spanned major health priorities, including stroke treatment, viral infections and chronic pain, and have demonstrated how Monash research continues to translate discovery into improved health outcomes in Australia and internationally.
