Research Overview

The CMVH University of Adelaide Node has two main categories of research:

1. Military Research
2. Grant Funded Research

The current research projects are described at the above sites.

The CMVH undertakes a variety of research projects. Firstly, the Adelaide Node has undertaken the role to be the Principal Chief Investigator of the Middle East cohort under the Deployed Health Surveillance Project. This is a major responsibility that offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the health and wellbeing into the future of ADF members. Given the intensity of exposures and risks in the Middle East environment, there is a challenging need to identify emerging adverse health trends so as to implement early intervention and future preventative strategies.

Such a research program also provides opportunities to examine the effectiveness and methods of improving existing health systems in the ADF.

Professor McFarlane also is the recipient of a variety of NHMRC funded studies. The Program Grant is held in conjunction with collaborators from the University of New South Wales, Flinders University, and the University of Melbourne. This is a unique consortium of internationally respected researchers in the field of traumatic stress. Their combined efforts are working on a multi-pronged research program focusing on the longitudinal outcomes from trauma exposure, the impact of trauma in a variety of cross-cultural settings, its neurobiological consequences, and methods of improving treatment. This program also has a specific military focus which is dependent upon a significant collaboration with the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health and Professor Malcolm Sims’ group at Occupational Medicine at Monash University.

A further body of work is being published from a longitudinal follow-up of a group of children exposed to the Ash Wednesday bushfires. This is a unique population study of young adults in South Australia which has a complex matrix of data, gathered both in childhood and early adulthood, of a variety of trauma exposures. The leading research officer on this project is Ms Miranda Van Hooff.

A further body of work is developed by the CMVH in conjunction with the DSTO and various academics in the University of Adelaide. Associate Professor Dino Pisaniello has been of particular importance to the success of this program, above and beyond his contribution to the various initiatives in the area of occupational health generally. Mrs Anne Lucas has coordinated this program.

Finally, there is a broad body of defence related research which is directly contracted to the CMVH. SQNLDR Michel Devine and Mrs Anne Lucas have played a role in seeking appropriate partnerships and collaborations within the University.

The CMVH carries out research at all three nodes and more information can be sourced through this link to CMVH University of Queensland Research Pillar.