Flinders hosts FightMND to connect fundraising and science

Flinders hosts FightMND to connect fundraising and science Posted on October 9, 2026October 9, 2026 by News Desk Dr Megan Fowler, Terry Daniher, Associate Professor Mary Louise-Rogers, Paul Hopgood and Dr Anna Konopka outside the Ian Davis Flinders University Biomarker Facility. Fight MND’s Daniher’s Drive is raising awareness about the Flinders University research that is advancing medical knowledge in the fight against motor neurone disease. Melbourne Football Club legends, the Daniher brothers and a group of fiercely competitive participants made a special stop at the Dr Ian Davis Biomarker Facility which is led by Associate Professor Mary-Louise Rogers. Team 100 participants, Melbourne Demons players coached by Neale Daniher and members of the Daniher family momentarily swapped the open road for the laboratory, getting a firsthand look at the groundbreaking research being supported through their efforts. Named in honour of FightMND co-founder Dr Ian Davis, the facility uses advanced robotics to process biomarker tests that help researchers determine whether potential treatments are working in MND clinical trials. Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr Megan Fowler and Terry Daniher in the Ian Davis Flinders University Biomarker Facility. Team captains Terry Daniher and Paul Hopgood were given an exclusive five-minute briefing from postdoctoral researchers Dr Anna Konopka and Dr Megan Fowler before returning to their teammates armed with as much information as they could remember. From there, they had to download their information so that their team mates could understand as well. Faced with a series of questions from a judging panel featuring Professor Jill Carr, Interim Deputy Director of the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Associate Professor Rogers  and Neale Daniher’s brother Anthony Daniher, teams battled it out to prove who had learned the most about the facility’s work. The competition was close, with plenty of laughs, passionate answers and more than a little competitive spirit. In the end the Terry/Megan team took the inaugural ‘Golden Beaker’, but beyond the bragging rights, the challenge highlighted the powerful connection between fundraising and research, giving participants a firsthand look at the impact their support is helping make possible in the fight against the Beast. Professor Mary-Louise Rogers said it was fantastic to have the Daniher’s Drive teams at the facility as part of their trip through South Australia. “I loved the energy and competition they brought with them. There were a lot of laughs and jokes. The team captains did a great job explaining the work we do to their teams and the teams did a great job of translating it back to us,” said Professor Rogers. “Its important for us to ensure people who support MND research understand the work that we do and what their fundraising is going to. That their efforts are supporting good research.” Posted in College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute News Research