Health and biotechnology ?
At UWA, we are committed to pioneering research that leads to better health outcomes and improved wellbeing for individuals and communities.?
From personalised medicine to mental health breakthroughs, we're focused on innovation and optimism that drives better healthcare into the future.?
Research highlights
Led by world-class researchers, our multi-disciplinary teams focus on finding the best solutions to the most challenging health questions.
Infectious diseases
We are at the forefront of research to enhance our collective understanding of disease mechanisms and processes, and interventions. Our researchers investigate medical microbiology, tropical infectious diseases and public and environmental health microbiology to enhance our knowledge of infection, immunity and pharmacology.
We work in research and hospital diagnostic laboratories, medical clinics, government health departments and international agencies.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
- UWA Medical School
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training
- School of Biomedical Sciences
- School of Molecular Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (affiliated)
- The Kids Research Institute (affiliated)
- Institute for Respiratory Health (affiliated)
Ageing
UWA has a research focus on healthy ageing. Our internationally recognised researchers work to extend healthy lives, prevent onset of disabling illnesses, and to find better ways to treat age-specific diseases. We have a strong record of success in the fields of dementia, depression, aged care, stroke and frailty.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
Mental Health
Good mental health is fundamental to individual, family and community wellbeing. Our researchers achieve national and international recognition for research and service provision in psychiatry, clinical psychology, clinical neurosciences, and behavioural medicine.
Advancing knowledge and holistic understanding
Our teams promote awareness and address destigmatisation, while contributing to advances in diagnosis, assessment, epidemiology, genetics, and treatment of mental disorders.
These include schizophrenia, dementia, somatoform, anxiety, depression and substance use disorder.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
- School of Psychological Science
- Department of Psychiatry (Medical School)
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Clinic
- Good Arts Good Mental Health
- Mental Health and Exercise Research Group
- Psychometric Laboratory
- Raine Study
- WA Suicide Prevention and Resilience Research Centre (SPARRC)
Indigenous health
Social determinants of health, including historical and systemic factors, contribute to poor mental and physical health and shorter life expectancies for Indigenous people. Our researchers co-design projects to foster culturally sensitive and community-driven health and social and emotional wellbeing solutions that address disparities.
WA state-wide collaboration
Our health researchers and healthcare professionals are embedded in rural communities throughout Western Australia. Their research focuses on delivery of services, Aboriginal health, rural health and workforce development for the communities they serve.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
Early life nutrition
UWA's comprehensive research focuses on infants' nutrition from birth to early childhood, which can influence long-term health. Our researchers investigate issues ranging from lactation to the role of genetics in early life nutrition, and gut immune development.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
Pre-term birth
Pre-term birth affects around eight per cent of all deliveries in Australia. It is the largest single cause of death and disability of children under the age of five years. Our researchers are working to understand the causes, develop tests to identify at risk women, reduce the number of pre-term births and improve outcomes for pre-term babies.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
Cognition
Our researchers are unlocking the mysteries of the mind. What shapes our cognition is being explored through experiments, surveys and simulations, behavioural analysis and mathematical modelling. Our work looks at how people behave in a range of contexts from simple decision tasks to complex cognitive and social environments.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
- UWA School of Psychological Science
- Attention and Human Behaviour Laboratory
- Centre for the Advancement of Research on Emotion (CARE)
- Individual Differences Laboratory
- Social Influence Laboratory
- Human Factors and Applied Cognition (HUFAC) Laboratory
- Interpersonal Dynamics Laboratory
- Memory and Decision Making Laboratory
- Working Memory Laboratory
- Memory and Cognition Laboratory
- Person Perception Lab
- Healthcare Human Factors Laboratory
- PECAN Lab
- Western Australia Centre for Road Safety Research (WACRSR)
- Laboratory Learning, Individual Development, and Life (LIDL) Lab
- Perron Institute
Cancer
UWA cancer research division's key focus is precision medicine to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Our research is carried out in laboratories, hospitals and within the community at a patient level. With close ties locally and internationally, our world-leading researchers collaborate on clinical trials, translating discoveries into medical practice.
Innovation in diagnostics
The novel scientific inquiry of our researchers has led to innovative diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions and treatment strategies. These developments are contributing to advancements in medical science and healthcare delivery.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
- UWA Medical School
- School of Biomedical Sciences
- School of Molecular Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (affiliated)
- The Kids Research Institute (affiliated)
- Institute for Respiratory Health
- Pharmacy
- The Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease (GOHaD)
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD)
Human performance
Our researchers take an interdisciplinary approach to investigate advanced exercise physiology, performance psychology, human movement and ergonomics, energy metabolism (nutrition), exercise programming and prescription, load monitoring and analytics.
This knowledge can be used in the management and treatment of a variety of conditions and to maximise the human performance potential of individuals in athletic and occupational settings.
Explore our schools, institutes and strategic research centres:
Get in touch
To hear more about UWA's extensive research, or if you have a specific enquiry, connect with us today.
Nasal spray research for better health
Discover our innovative research on Nasodine, a nasal spray targeting the primary entry point of the COVID-19 virus—the nasal cavity. Laboratory studies demonstrated promising results, significantly reducing viral presence within seconds. This underscores UWA's commitment to pioneering health solutions and advancing public wellbeing.
Revolutionising Breastfeeding: UWA's Cutting-Edge Research with Medela
For over 50 years, 心糖vlog免費版在線觀看免費 has led the world in human lactation research, driving innovations that help mothers breastfeed more easily. In collaboration with Swiss company Medela, UWA researchers have developed hands-free, discreet breast pumps and discovered the two-phase feeding pattern used globally. Learn how UWA's groundbreaking work is empowering mothers, improving products, and shaping the future of infant feeding technology, making breastfeeding more convenient and accessible for families around the world.
Revolutionising Heart Care: UWA's Breakthrough 3D-Printed Heart Valve
Heart disease remains a leading global health threat, but researchers at 心糖vlog免費版在線觀看免費 are pioneering a solution that could transform the future of care. In collaboration with CoraMetix, UWA scientists have developed a biopolymer-based 3D-printed heart valve designed to last a lifetime, mimicking the strength and durability of human valves. This groundbreaking innovation offers a safer, more durable alternative to current heart valve replacements, giving patients worldwide the chance for longer, healthier lives without repeat high-risk surgeries. Explore how UWA is shaping the future of heart care.
Explore our specialist facilities
- UWA Health Campus
- Animal Care Services
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis
- The Australian Centre for Quantitative Imaging (ACQI)
- RNA Innovation?Facility
- Western Australia National Imaging Facility Node (WA NIF)
- Bioplatforms Australia – Genomics WA?
- Bioplatforms Australia – Proteomics
- Bioplatforms Australia – Metabolomics Australia (MA)
- The Oral Health Centre of WA
- Centre for Sleep Science
Discover our world-renowned researchers
Andrew Whitehouse
Clinical Adjunct Professor
UWA Centre for Child Health Research (affiliated with the The Kids Research Institute Australia)
Melissa Penny
Professor - Fiona Stanley Chair in Child Health Research
UWA Centre for Child Health Research (affiliated with the The Kids Research Institute Australia)
Graeme Hankey
Perron Institute Chair in Stroke Research
Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders (Perron Institute)
Aleksandra Filipovska
Professor