New Research Centre to tackle chronic cough

The Investigating Mechanisms, Peripheral and Central Traits (IMPACT) CRE set to launch led by Prof Stuart Mazzone.

A groundbreaking initiative will address one of the most persistent and often misunderstood conditions: chronic cough.

The newly established Centre for Investigating Mechanisms, Peripheral and Central Traits (IMPACT) in Chronic Cough, led by Professor Stuart Mazzone from the School of Biomedical Sciences, aims to revolutionise how chronic cough is understood, diagnosed and treated.

^{Image: Prof Stuart Mazzone}

Chronic cough affects millions globally and the IMPACT CRE will look at the biological and clinical drivers of persistent cough, develop better diagnosis and treatment and co-design culturally appropriate awareness initiatives with First Nations communities. The Centre will train the next generation of scientists to ensure global leadership in cough research.

Professor Mazzone leads an interdisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians spanning national and international organisations, including the University of Melbourne, Monash University, University of New South Wales, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Queensland, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Montana and King’s College London.

The Centre will also be supported through partnerships with Lung Foundation Australia, Laryngology Society of Australia, Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand, NEuroCOUGH CRC (UK), Redenlab (Australia) and Hyfe AI (USA).

This article was originally published by the UniMelb Newsroom on 1 Sept 2025.