National Science Week 2025

Saturday, 9th August 2025

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Today marks the official start of National Science Week, and we’re inviting you behind the scenes of our funded research—where lives are changed, cells are studied, and cures will one day be uncovered.

At Shake It Up, our vision is a world without Parkinson’s. Aligned with this, our mission is to accelerate innovative research and treatments to slow, stop, and ultimately cure Parkinson’s.

This last year alone, we’ve invested over $36.4 million in 85 groundbreaking research projects across 24 leading Australian institutes — because 100% of every donation directly fuels research.

Let’s meet three brilliant scientists whose work — and words — are shaping the future of Parkinson’s research:

Professor Cedric Bardy

Flinders University / SAHMRI

Professor Cedric Bardy and his team are pioneering a “brain-in-a-dish” model to study Parkinson’s at the cellular level. By growing neuron brain tissue in the lab, they can observe what causes dopamine neurons to deteriorate — and test new treatments that could slow or stop the disease before it progresses. His work is helping us better understand the disease’s mechanisms and build better pre-clinical models to fast-track new therapies.

“My team grow neuron brain tissue in the lab to understand what causes specific brain cells to die faster in people with Parkinson’s. We call these brain avatars…”

“We’re testing some innovative therapeutic ideas that could give these neurons the rest that they need to potentially repair themselves and last longer and, ultimately, slow down the progression of the disease.”

“…if we can find the strategies to even just slow down the progression, I think it’ll be terrific.”

“Shake It Up does a really great job understanding that we can’t just put all the eggs in the same basket. We need to be able to not be afraid to try something different for the first time.”

Associate Professor Miguel Rentería

QIMR Berghofer — Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study 

A/Professor Miguel Rentería leads the Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study (APGS) — the country’s largest genetics-based Parkinson’s research initiative. With more than 12,000 participants across Australia, APGS aims to identify the genetic and environmental factors that increase Parkinson’s risk, explore symptom variation, and move toward personalised care. His team’s research is also feeding into the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program, helping build a roadmap for more targeted treatments worldwide.

“The objective of the study is to understand the genetic and environmental contributions to the risk of presenting Parkinson’s disease.”

“…more than 60% of them reported having chronic pain… almost three times as higher than the general population.”

“We are adding more pieces to a puzzle… So now, we have 157 of those pieces, and we’re starting to put them together.”

“Solving Parkinson’s is a team sport. We’re all playing a part. Researchers… participants… Shake It Up… we’re in this together.”

“If anyone is interested in joining… [search for] the Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study. Every participant makes a difference.”

Professor Glenda Halliday

University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre

Professor Glenda Halliday is a globally recognised neuroscientist whose work focuses on the earliest cellular changes in Parkinson’s disease, particularly how key proteins in the brain begin to malfunction. Her lab, in collaboration with three international partners, is working to identify how these proteins change and how to target them with therapies — laying the groundwork for earlier diagnosis and eventually, treatments that address the disease at its root cause.

“The work is actually solving the Parkinson’s puzzle for me… we are actually looking at the core protein involved in the pathology… pinpointing how it happens.”

“Once we’ve identified which of the different changes to the protein… then to identify how we can target it with therapies.”

“Hopefully the research that we are doing will have a significant impact… a test… which tells us objectively that the change to the proteins happening… And… a clinical trial.”

“Without the funding from Shake It Up, we wouldn’t be doing this research at all.”

“To the people who donate to Shake It Up — thank you so much. Your donation is making a difference.”

What Your Support Makes Possible

Every one of these researchers is working to unravel the complexities of Parkinson’s — whether through brain avatars, genome-scale studies, or pinpointing errant proteins. Their breakthroughs are powered by the trust and generosity of donors like you. Thanks to founding directors covering all overhead, every dollar goes straight into transformative research.

Together: A World Without Parkinson’s

As National Science Week unfolds, take pride in knowing your contribution is accelerating discoveries that matter. From understanding chronic pain to decoding brains at the cellular level — and even shaping clinical trials—your support is turning promise into progress.

Ready To Power More Breakthroughs?

Together, we’re advancing Parkinson’s research with your donations — one brain cell, one gene, one discovery at a time.

Thank you, once again, for your support.