Nineteen new research programs that study a wide range of health issues relevant to the community have been announced at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).
The HMRI board agreed to establish the new programs, which will begin to come online over the next few months.
The institute has been working on a series of projects that build upon current and historical successes, including updating its purpose and research priorities.
Last year, HMRI announced its new purpose, which is to improve the health and well-being of the community.
It also launched its new research priorities: Priority Populations, Healthy Life Course and Healthy Future.
Using the new purpose and research priorities as a guide, HMRI began a process in August 2021 to update the research programs.
HMRI’s current research programs include Brain and Mental Health, Cancer, Cardiovascular, Pregnancy and Reproduction and Public Health, as well as Viruses, Infections/Immunity, Vaccines and Asthma (VIVA).
Institute Director Professor, Mike Calford, said the original six programs had been the foundations of HMRI’s success.
“These programs have been so successful that some have grown very large and expanded into new and unique areas,” Professor Calford said.
“It is exciting we are now able to grow as an institute by significantly expanding our research programs.
“We are reinforcing our existing successful research areas and branching out into new areas of real need to the community.”
The 19 new programs are:
Active Living Research Program; Asthma and Breathing Research Program; Brain Neuromodulation Research Program; Cancer Detection and Therapy Research Program; Drug Repurposing and Medicines Research Program; Equity in Health and Wellbeing Research Program; Food and Nutrition Research Program; Healthcare Transformation Research Program; Healthy Minds Research Program; Heart and Stroke Research Program; Infection Research Program; Immune Health Research Program; Infertility and Reproduction Research Program; Injury and Trauma Research Program; Mothers and Babies Research Program; Population Health Research Program; Precision Medicine Research Program; Surgical and Perioperative Care Research Program; and Women’s Health Research Program.
Professor Calford said it had been great to see researchers work together and refocus efforts for the future, particularly after the added stress of COVID-19.
“Through this process, we have strengthened our existing research areas by providing a pathway for some very successful research teams within our old programs to become programs in their own right.”
While most of HMRI’s new programs comprise existing research teams, HMRI is excited to have several new clinically focused programs.
“Some of our new programs such as Surgical and Perioperative Care, Infection Research and Injury and Trauma are a welcome addition to HMRI,” Professor Calford said.
“These programs bring together some of the top clinician-researchers from our local hospitals to address the real needs of patients at the point of care.”
For more information on the complete list of programs and what they will involve, visit the HMRI website.
Hayley McMahon