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Donate nowDapinder’s Story
For Dapinder, supporting research is about more than giving back, it’s about helping improve the lives of people living with autoimmune conditions.
Diagnosed with primary Sjögren’s syndrome in 2015, Dapinder brings both her personal experience as a patient and her professional perspective as a dentist to the Bionics Institute’s Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) Program.
“I’ve lived with the disease for 11 years… if my understanding of this disease as a patient can help researchers and subject matter experts in developing solution, even for one person, it’s a win for me.”
Supported by her husband, Jagdeep, and inspired by her family, Dapinder remains grateful for the opportunity to contribute and help shape future research.
Bionics Institute’s Community & Consumer Involvement (CCI) Program
The CCI Program aims to make sure people living with conditions such as dementia, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, epilepsy and other chronic conditions have a voice in the research that could shape their future.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) research – consumers have helped us better understand what it’s like to live with Crohn’s disease and what people would want from a new treatment.
Brain stimulation research – consumer feedback has helped make clinical trials easier to take part in, reducing travel for people with dementia and their carers.
Still in its early stages, the program is already producing practical, actionable ways to improve the research process.
Help fund pioneering research
The ultimate vision for the CCI Program is for people with lived experience to have a voice in every stage of research at the Bionics Institute.
Helping ensure the devices and treatments we develop meet the needs of the people who will ultimately use them.
At the same time, we want to give our researchers the support and skills they need to work meaningfully with consumers.
The CCI program is built on the idea that one of the most important experts in our research is not in our laboratory.
You can help make this work possible with a generous gift today, helping us make our research not only groundbreaking, but genuinely focused on the people it is designed to help.
“People who are invested in researching and improving the quality of life of people with these conditions, they need as much data and patient input as possible. They need to hear different viewpoints.” Dapinder
Want to support research like this?
Want to support the future of research like this?
The progress of life-changing treatments are only made possible by donations from our supporters. Your support today could give those with chronic pain hope of a pain-free future.
Find out how you can support research innovation here.
The sound of connection
Bionics Institute researcher Dr Anu Sabu is exploring how the brain processes sound to improve hearing outcomes for people with cochlear implants. Here, Anu talks about what her research means and why improving hearing could make a real difference to people’s everyday lives.
When I think about what hearing means to me, the thing that comes to mind is that it’s so much more than just the perception of sound. Ultimately, it’s about connection.
It’s joining a conversation with friends, laughing together, cheering at a football game, or simply feeling part of what is happening around you. When hearing becomes difficult, these everyday moments can become harder to navigate, and over time, that can leave people feeling increasingly disconnected from those around them.
That is why I am so passionate about my research. I want to help people with hearing loss experience more of those moments of connection.
Making hearing technology work for real life
I study how the brain responds to complex sounds delivered through a Cochlear implant. Cochlear implants can be life-changing, but they don’t always make hearing easy. One of the biggest challenges is understanding speech when there is background noise.
Think about sitting in a busy café with a friend, with voices all around you, music playing and dishes clattering. Most of us can focus on the person speaking and tune out much of that background noise. For someone with a Cochlear implant, that same situation can be incredibly difficult.
Around one-third of Cochlear implant users find it difficult to understand speech in noisy environments.
These aren’t unusual situations. They’re everyday moments where we connect with other people. If my research can make those experiences even a little easier, I believe it could make a very real difference to people’s lives.
We are working to understand not just whether someone can hear, but how their brain processes what they hear. My research measures brain responses to sound so that we understand how people process auditory information.
This could help us develop more personalised cochlear implant programming and improve hearing outcomes. For people with partial hearing, combining a cochlear
implant with a hearing aid can provide complementary auditory information, supporting better hearing and greater access to everyday sounds.
Connection has always mattered to me
Alongside my research, I have always volunteered and looked for ways to help people connect with one another. I know how much the right connection at the right time can change someone’s path because I experienced it myself.
When I was younger, I had my sights set on becoming a surgeon. One of my aunts, who was involved in a charitable organisation providing healthcare in rural India, gave me the opportunity to see surgery for myself. That experience helped me understand what I really wanted and ultimately led me towards biomedical research.
I often think about how different my path might have been without that opportunity. Looking back now and seeing the impact it had on my career trajectory, I can’t help but wonder how often this happens in life. How many people miss out on opportunities because of gaps in what is available to them?
That is what motivates me when I think about the future of Cochlear implants.
A future where hearing brings people closer
I want to see a future where someone with hearing loss can walk into a busy room and feel confident that they can participate. Where they don’t have to work so hard to follow a conversation, or avoid social situations because listening has become exhausting.
The goal isn’t simply better technology. It is what that technology can give someone back.
For me, that is the real promise of improved hearing.
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From pioneering hearing research to developing new technologies for challenging medical conditions, the Bionics Institute marks 40 years of turning innovative ideas into potential solutions for patients.
Founded in 1986 by Professor Graeme Clark AC, the Bionics Institute was established to build on the success of the cochlear implant and advance research to improve outcomes for people with hearing loss. Four decades later, the Institute continues to pursue that vision, applying its expertise in medical device research and engineering to a broader range of health challenges.
Today, researchers at the Bionics Institute are developing innovative technologies and therapies for conditions including hearing loss, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. This work spans early-stage research, device development and clinical trials, with the aim of translating promising discoveries into practical solutions that improve people’s lives.
The Institute’s impact extends beyond the laboratory. Collaboration with clinicians, universities, industry partners and supporters plays an important role in advancing research towards real-world applications. Commercialisation initiatives and spin-off companies, including Epiminder, EarGenie and Neo-Bionica, demonstrate how research developed at the Institute can progress towards clinical use.
As the Bionics Institute celebrates this milestone, it recognises the researchers, engineers, clinicians, partners, donors and supporters who have contributed to its work over the past 40 years.
To our supporters, thank you.
Your generosity, commitment and belief in our mission have helped make this research possible. Whether through philanthropy, collaboration or advocacy, your support helps our researchers pursue new ideas and bring promising technologies closer to the people who need them.
Looking ahead, the Institute remains focused on developing innovative medical devices and therapies to address unmet medical needs. With new research opportunities, growing partnerships and a strong foundation in medical device innovation, the next chapter will build on four decades of discovery and translation.
The goal remains unchanged: to transform lives by turning ambitious ideas into technologies that make a meaningful difference to human health.
Find out more about our story in this special commemorative book
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New research has found that combining light and electrical stimulation could improve nerve stimulation, offering insights that may help inform future treatments for chronic pain.
New research has found that combining light and electrical stimulation could improve nerve stimulation, offering insights that may help inform future treatments for chronic pain.
The approach builds on optogenetics, a field that uses genetic tools to make specific nerve fibres responsive to light. The field was recognised in the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their discoveries of light-gated ion channels in nerves.
The study found that optogenetic stimulation could precisely target sensory nerve fibres without causing unwanted muscle movement. Combining light and electrical stimulation produced a stronger response than either approach alone, improving the nerve response in more than 85 per cent of measurements.
Published in BMC Neuroscience on 23 September 2026, the study was led by Dr Mary Ardren and Professor Rachael Richardson. The researchers investigated how nerve fibres respond to repetitive optogenetic stimulation, electrical stimulation and a combination of both.
One of the exciting things about optogenetics is its ability to selectively target particular nerve fibres. But for a therapy, we need that response to be sustained. Professor Rachael Richardson
“Our research shows that combining optogenetic stimulation with electrical stimulation can produce a stronger response than either approach alone. This gives us valuable insight into how we might harness the precision of optogenetics while addressing some of its limitations for sustained nerve stimulation. This could be a very important approach for dealing with chronic pain which, even today, remains very poorly treated.”
Peripheral nerve stimulation using implanted devices can provide relief from chronic pain for some patients. However, electrical stimulation does not selectively activate only the nerve fibres researchers want to target. Optogenetics offers a potential way to improve this selectivity by making specific nerve fibres responsive to light.
The findings suggest that combining the two approaches could improve peripheral nerve stimulation and contribute to the development of future non-drug treatments for chronic pain. Further research is needed to determine whether the approach can be translated into a safe and effective treatment for humans.
Read the study: BMC Neuroscience
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The Bionics Institute is liasing in partnership with a dedicated group of industry experts to help advise the future of Bionics Institute research, commercialisation, industry partnerships and government relations.
The Bionics Institute Industry Advisory Commitee members are key players in supporting the sustainability and future growth of the Bionics Institute with the ultimate goal of improving human health.
Members of the Industry Advisory Committee are:
- Dr Andrew Nash
- Jaala Pulford
- Brandon Alter
- Dr Alan Roberston
- Caroline Chernov
- Jagdeep Singh
- Rick Goldberg
- Andrew Campitelli
- Dr Stephanie Tan
- Sean Moore (Board Representative)
- Robert Klupacs (Committee Chair)
In supporting the development of Institute corporate, family office & government partnerships and commercialisation activities, they will help to ensure that we build a portfolio of spin-out companies, building the med tech ecosystem and adding to the growing critical mass of Australian commercialisation success.
The Bionics Institute are grateful to the Industry Advisory committee members for volunteering their time and expertise to the Bionics Institute as we seek to translate innovative research into patient outcomes for those who need it most.
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What if the most important expert in a research project isn’t in the laboratory?
Through the Bionics Institute’s Community Involvement (CCI) Program, people living with conditions such as dementia, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, epilepsy and chronic pain are helping shape the future of medical research.
Facilitated by Dr Sally Herring, the program brings researchers together with people who have firsthand experience of living with challenging medical conditions. Their lived experience provides insights that no textbook or laboratory can offer, helping researchers ask better questions, identify unmet needs, and design research that is more relevant, practical and impactful.
Although still in its early stages, the program is already making a difference.
Over the past year, researchers, consumers and national advocacy organisations have come together to establish Community Advisory Committees, engage with individual lived experience expertise, facilitate workshops and begin to build lasting partnerships. One example is the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Centre of Excellence at Bionics Institute, which now incorporates consumer expertise across all arms and phases of development in its groundbreaking research programs.
Consumer insights have already directly influenced the design of a potential next stage Crohn’s disease clinical trial, inspired new ideas and indications for medical device development and highlighted priorities that researchers may otherwise have overlooked. Consumers have provided an open and honest window into their lived experience, educating and linking researchers with the real-world meaning of their work. Researchers have shared their research ideas and progress and are feeding back the impact of consumer expertise on the research to come.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Researchers are seeing the value of involving consumers from the outset, while advocacy organisations are embracing the program as a model for meaningful collaboration between researchers and the communities they serve.
As interest continues to grow across the Institute, so does the opportunity. The work of researchers and consumers to date has established a strong foundation at Bionics Institute, demonstrating how consumer involvement can strengthen research at every stage, from early ideas through to clinical translation. The next challenge is ensuring more research teams, and more consumers can benefit from this approach.
By embedding lived experience into the research process, the Bionics Institute is helping create better science and better outcomes for the community. Consumer and community involvement is becoming more than a research initiative; it’s helping shape a culture where discovery is driven not only by scientific excellence, but by the people research is ultimately designed to help. Dr Sally Herring
For Dapinder, supporting research is about more than giving back, it’s about helping improve the lives of people living with autoimmune conditions.
Diagnosed with primary Sjögren’s syndrome in 2015, Dapinder brings both her personal experience as a patient and her professional perspective as a dentist to the Bionics Institute’s Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) Program.
If it means improved outcomes for others, I’m committed to giving even more.
For more than a decade, Dapinder has managed the progressive autoimmune condition, which affects the body’s ability to produce tears, saliva and natural oils. While there is no cure, she hopes sharing her experience can help researchers better understand the impact of the disease and improve outcomes for others.
“I’ve lived with the disease for 11 years… if my understanding of this disease as a patient can help researchers and subject matter experts in developing solution, even for one person, it’s a win for me.”
As both a patient and a clinician, Dapinder believes lived experience is essential to research.
“People who are invested in researching and improving the quality of life of people with these conditions, they need as much data and patient input as possible. They need to hear different viewpoints.”
Supported by her husband, Jagdeep, and inspired by her family, Dapinder remains grateful for the opportunity to contribute and help shape future research.
“Dapinder’s personal and professional lived experience provides a targeted and powerful perspective that enhances the meaning, impact and reach of what we do. Her extraordinary openness, expertise and generosity benefits not just the individual research programs she contributes to but supports the consumer and community involvement program as a whole.” Dr Sally Herring
At the Bionics Institute, our focus is translating research from the lab into people’s lives to help those who need it the most. Our clinical trials are a major step in this process.
Current trials
Reboot: Abdominal vagus nerve stimulation as a novel treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
The abdominal vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS ) system is an active medical device placed into the body to allow electrical stimulation of the abdominal vagus nerve. Participants will undergo stimulation treatment with the device for 24 weeks after it is implanted by keyhole surgery.
The trial aims to assess the safety of the aVNS device for people experiencing moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis that are not responding or are intolerant to drug therapies.
Electrx: Abdominal vagus nerve stimulation to prevent recurrence of IBD
Similar to the arthritis trial, the vagus nerve stimulation device will be attached to the abdominal branch of the vagus nerve with the aim of dampening inflammation following bowel resection surgery.
The clinical trial is conducted in collaboration with Austin Health and is currently recruiting through the Austin Hospital. It aims to demonstrate the safety of the device and help prevent the recurrence of Crohn’s disease at the surgical site.
Validation of an fNIRS objective measure of tinnitus in patients using app-delivered tinnitus management
We have demonstrated the sensitivity of a non-invasive brain imaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to detect tinnitus presence and severity.
We now aim to validate our objective measures in those using a smartphone app for tinnitus management called Oto, developed by the UK company Oto Health.
A two-centre study for the use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy as an objective measure of the efficacy of standard tinnitus management
We have demonstrated the sensitivity of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to detect tinnitus-related changes in brain activity.
The trial aims to validate our objective measures of tinnitus presence and severity in people completing standard clinical treatment pathways.
A Randomised Controlled Trial of the Theta Burst Stimulation Melbourne Protocol for Alzheimer’s disease (The TRAM Protocol)
Professor Kate Hoy of the Bionics Institute has developed a treatment program using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which aims to improve brain function in people living with Alzheimer’s disease.
The trial is investigating an extended course of personalised TMS in Alzheimer’s disease to determine both the clinical efficacy and duration of effects.
Multimodal Imaging in Cognitive Decline (The MInD Sub-study)
The study explores brain activity associated with ageing and cognitive decline to better understand changes in memory and thinking associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The trial aims to identify early signs of cognitive decline and better understand the mechanisms of memory and thinking changes.
A system for measuring activities of daily living in people with Spinocerebellar Ataxia
The team has established a clinical trial in remote communities in Australia to evaluate new technologies that use wearable sensors and artificial intelligence to produce more accurate measurements of ataxia.
The trial aims to provide people with limited access to specialist care with an accurate measure of disease progression and treatment effectiveness. Once the technology has been proven effective, it could potentially also be used to test investigational gene therapy treatments for ataxia.
Potential future clinical trials
Our researchers are also planning clinical trials into potential new treatments for tinnitus, Parkinson’s gait issues, ataxia and towards improvements in cochlear implant programming:
- Multimodal Coordinated Reset Stimulation as a treatment for Tinnitus
- Peripheral stimulation for Parkinson’s disease gait
- Augmented Reality for the analysis of eye movement abnormalities in Cerebellar Ataxia
- Digital Twins for Cochlear Implants: Personalised and precise implant programming
To participate -> https://www.bionicsinstitute.org/get-involved/participate-in-research-studies/
For more info -> https://www.bionicsinstitute.org/our-research/
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Welcome to the Spring 2026 edition of The Current.
At the Bionics Institute, our focus has always been on translating world-leading research into technologies and treatments that improve people’s lives.
This edition highlights the many steps involved in that journey, from discovery and collaboration through to clinical trials, where promising innovations begin to reach the people who need them most.
Clinical trials are a critical part of turning research breakthroughs into real-world impact. In this edition, we share an overview of our current and upcoming clinical trials, showcasing the breadth of our work across neurological and other complex health conditions. These studies represent years of research, engineering and collaboration, and are an important step towards developing new solutions for people who have limited treatment options today.
We are also focused on ensuring that the people most affected by these conditions have a voice in shaping the research we undertake. In this edition, we highlight our Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) Program, facilitated by Dr Sally Herring. By partnering with people with lived experience, we are strengthening our research process and ensuring our work remains connected to the needs of the communities we serve.
The progress we make is only possible through strong partnerships. You’ll read about Anita Castan’s support of Dr Oscar Murphy’s research into personalised brain stimulation for Alzheimer’s disease, demonstrating the important role philanthropy plays in accelerating promising discoveries.
We also welcome Philip Binns as our new Chair of the Board, bringing extensive experience in science, technology and commercialisation to guide the Institute’s future.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, we are helping transform innovative ideas into life-changing medical technologies.
Best wishes,
Robert Klupacs
CEO, Bionics Institute
Latest News
Philip Binns appointed Chair of the Board
CEO recognised for advancing innovative research
Digital Twins – One step closer to personalised cochlear implant care
From graduate to benefactor: A shared mission to make the world better
A Bionics Institute invention to improve brain stimulation treatment is on the road towards use in clinics following the launch of a new spin-off company.
Cognitive Therapeutics Pty Ltd (CogTx) is developing software co-invented by Bionics Institute researchers Professor Kate Hoy, Dr Oscar Murphy and Dr David Hill with the aim of improving the personalisation of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and outcomes for people with neurological and mental health conditions.
Backed by seed funding from Swinburne Ventures Ltd, Australian family offices and leading medtech entrepreneurs, with software development expertise to be provided by Planet Innovation, CogTx is the first collaboration to emerge from the strategic partnership between Swinburne University of Technology and the Bionics Institute.
Bionics Institute CEO, Robert Klupacs says:
“As well as improving treatment outcomes, the technology could cut the time required to personalise TMS treatment in half. We see this as a gamechanger for the expanding the use of TMS across a range of treatment areas.”
Widely used to treat people with treatment-resistant depression, Professor Kate Hoy leads the Bionics Institute research team investigating personalised TMS as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s.
Studies are increasingly showing that personalised TMS can improve treatment effectiveness. However, the equipment currently used to map the exact treatment location for each individual is complex and can be prohibitively expensive for clinics Professor Kate Hoy
The specialist software will use MRI scans and advanced algorithms to identify the optimal treatment location for each person, replacing expensive equipment and simplifying the personalisation process.
Abs Seth, Swinburne Director of Commercial Innovation, said the collaboration marks an exciting step in medical research translation.
“Translating research into real-world impact is at the heart of both Swinburne and BI, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate and co-create industries of the future,” he said.
Chaired by Professor Graeme Samuel AC, CogTx will develop the software-based technology through to expected FDA approval and subsequent clinical deployment worldwide, as well as undertaking ongoing clinical trials investigating personalised TMS as a treatment for Alzheimer’s.
See our researchers on Channel 9