EPIC VOICES: Advancing Research & Empowering Patients to Positively Change Lives
NCNED was the first dedicated ME/CFS centre established in 2009 in Australia. NCNED stands at the forefront of Australian biomedical research, leading national efforts to unravel the complexities of ME/CFS, long COVID, Gulf War Illness, and related chronic conditions. Our internationally recognised research excellence has positioned NCNED as a trusted leader in translating scientific discovery into real-world health solutions that improve lives across Australia and around the world.
National ME/CFS, LC and GWI Registry
As Australia's first and leading research centre dedicated to ME/CFS and related chronic illnesses, NCNED is shaping the global understanding of ME/CFS and long COVID. Our internationally recognised research examines illness progression, disability, and quality of life to uncover the true long-term impact of these conditions.
The EPIC VOICES Program now provides a unique opportunity for the National ME/CFS, long COVID and GWI Registry, in partnership with leading international collaborators, to be one of the most comprehensive patient-centred research platforms globally, integrating clinical, epidemiological, biological, disability, quality-of-life, and lived-experience data.
By connecting patients, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers across Australia and around the world, the National Registry will establish a globally significant resource that accelerates discovery, drives innovation, and transforms the lives of people living with ME/CFS, long COVID, and GWI.
Experts: Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch, Dr Etianne Martini Sasso and Professor Pete Smith
Lived Experience and Disability
At NCNED, we believe that every scientific breakthrough begins with listening to patients (VOICES).
As the national centre dedicated to improving lives with ME/CFS, long COVID and GWI, we place lived experience at the forefront of our research, recognising the profound impact that disability and chronic illness have on individuals, families, and communities.
Through world first and pioneering research into disability, quality of life, and disease burden, we are driving discoveries that lead to better healthcare, greater recognition, policy development and guidelines and improved outcomes for patients worldwide.
Experts: Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch, Dr Etianne Martini Sasso and Professor Pete Smith
Epidemiology and Health Economics
NCNED was the first Australian research centre to comprehensively investigate the epidemiology, disability burden, and economic costs of ME/CFS and long COVID.
Our pioneering research has transformed understanding of the profound impact these illnesses have on individuals, families, healthcare systems, and national productivity.
NCNED has provided critical evidence on disease prevalence, long-term disability, and healthcare costs that has informed policy development, healthcare service planning and disability recognition
Our work has and continues to elevate ME/CFS, long COVID and more recently GWI from under-recognised conditions to significant public health priorities and the development of Statement of Principles (SOP) to drive meaningful change for patients both nationally and internationally.
Experts: Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch, Dr Etianne Martini Sasso and Professor Pete Smith
Metabolomics and Transcriptomics
NCNED is leading the next generation of biomedical research through the integration of metabolomics, transcriptomics, advanced bioinformatics, and machine learning.
NCNED and our collaborators are combining molecular data with clinical outcomes, disability measures, and lived-experience insights, we are building a holistic understanding of disease biology. This innovative systems-biology approach allows us to identify the molecular drivers of illness, discover new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and develop targeted therapeutic interventions. Through this research, NCNED is shaping the future of precision healthcare and transforming the lives of people affected by complex and chronic illnesses worldwide.
Experts: Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch, Dr Etianne Martini Sasso and Professor Pete Smith
Immunology and Cell Pathway Signalling
NCNED has been at the forefront of world-first discoveries in immunology and cellular pathway signalling, advancing the understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying ME/CFS, long COVID, and related complex chronic illnesses. Our pioneering research has identified significant abnormalities in immune cell function, inflammatory responses, and intracellular signalling pathways, providing critical evidence that these conditions are associated with measurable biological dysfunction rather than unexplained symptoms.
Building on these world-first findings, NCNED is now integrating advanced immunology, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and systems biology approaches to identify therapeutic targets and precision medicine strategies. By mapping the complex interactions between immune function, cellular signalling, metabolism, and clinical symptoms, our research aims to deliver innovative diagnostic tools, targeted treatments, and improved outcomes for individuals living with ME/CFS, long COVID, Gulf War Illness, and other complex chronic conditions.
Experts: Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch, Dr Etianne Martini Sasso and Professor Pete Smith
Ion Channel and Calcium Signalling
NCNED is the first to globally develop and implement a whole-cell, patch-clamp technique to characterise ion channel function dysfunction using natural killer (NK) cells for research in ME/CFS, long COVID and GWI. The utilisation of multidisciplinary techniques and novel technologies have consistently demonstrated impaired TRPM3 as a potential biomarker.
NCNED and collaborators are expanding their ion channel investigations in the potential pathomechanism in ME/CFS, long COVID and GWI.
Experts: Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch, Dr Etianne Martini Sasso and Professor Pete Smith
Advanced Structural and Functional Brain Imaging and Brain Clearance Network
NCNED is the first to globally develop and implement a whole-cell, patch-clamp technique to characterise ion channel function dysfunction using natural killer (NK) cells for research in ME/CFS, long COVID and GWI. The utilisation of multidisciplinary techniques and novel technologies have consistently demonstrated impaired TRPM3 as a potential biomarker.
NCNED and collaborators are expanding their ion channel investigations in the potential pathomechanism in ME/CFS, long COVID and GWI.
Experts: Associate Professor Leighton Barnden and Dr Kiran Thapaliya
Drug Repurposing and Clinical Trials
The world first scientific discoveries by NCNED have paved the way forward to explore potential drugs to target the biological pathways NCNED have identified that underlie these diseases. These potential therapies can be assessed in the laboratory for their potential use as effective interventions that improve health outcomes and quality of life for people living with these conditions.
Our research findings have been the underpinning of the first clinical trials to be conducted in Australia. NCNED is transforming research into real-world treatments. Our clinical trials investigate innovative and repurposed therapies for ME/CFS and long COVID. By targeting the biological pathways underlying these conditions, we strive to develop effective, evidence-based interventions that improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients.
Experts: Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch, Dr Etianne Martini Sasso and Professor Pete Smith
Screening/Diagnostic Testing
Building on NCNED’s pioneering discovery of impaired ion channel function and other disease-specific biomarkers, and in collaboration with an international diagnostic company, we are working towards developing an objective test to address a critical unmet need for patients and clinicians.
Experts: Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch, Dr Etianne Martini Sasso and Professor Pete Smith
Our researchers
Meet our team of researchers, support staff and collaborators who are driving our research success at NCNED.
JOIN OUR TEAM
PhD Study
Study alongside experts in your field
PhD and research candidates play an important role in our research efforts at NCNED.
Griffith graduates can attain advantageous professional experience as they complete their research degree and support our aim to transform the overall health and wellbeing of our population.
Find all you need to know about research study at Griffith, from degrees to scholarships and how to apply.
HDR scholarships
PhD and research degree scholarships can cover tuition fees, overseas health cover, living allowances paid as stipends and relocation allowances.
Some scholarship opportunities will also be offered throughout the year for particular research areas.
Contact details
- Phone
- (07) 5678 9283
- ncned@griffith.edu.au
- Media enquiries
- media@griffith.edu.au
- Location and postal address
- Mailbox 68, NCNED National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases
- G40 Griffith Health Centre, Level 8.86
- Griffith University, Parklands Drive
- Gold Coast QLD 4222