Congratulations to our HDA Women's Excellence in Research Award winner for 2025 – Dr Karen Best
This Award recognises and celebrates excellence of research achievement by women working in the field of developmental health. Dr Karen Best will receive $1,000 and an award certificate in recognition.
Dr Karen Best is a Principal Research Fellow and Lead of the Pregnancy and Newborn Health research program within SAHMRI Women and Kids, SAHMRI.
Karen’s mission is to improve the lives of mothers and babies by generating high-quality evidence and translating findings into practice. Her research explores how prenatal exposures influence maternal and infant outcomes, with a focus on nutrition and preventive care.
This work has led to transformative policy and clinical practice changes. Karen has led the landmark ORIP Trial, providing critical evidence on omega-3 supplementation for preterm birth prevention. This research shaped local and international guidelines, including the 2021 NHMRC Pregnancy Care Guidelines. Building on ORIP’s success, Karen now leads the world’s first Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program, supported by a $1.66M MRFF Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles grant. This program has engaged over 25,000 women and 1,200 GPs, demonstrating the feasibility of embedding precision nutrition strategies into routine antenatal care and laying the foundation for national implementation to reduce preterm birth.
As Principal Investigator of the national PoppiE Trial, Karen is pioneering research on prenatal iodine supplementation in iodine-sufficient populations. This large-scale study addresses critical gaps in maternal and child health knowledge, with potential to influence global policies and improve cognitive development and long-term childhood outcomes.
In addition to these flagship projects, Karen is a Chief or Associate Investigator on multiple perinatal research projects, demonstrating her ability to lead impactful and collaborative research. Her contributions are reflected in high-impact publications, key policy recommendations, and securing over $8 million in research funding.
Looking forward, her program will drive precision healthcare strategies, launch landmark national clinical trials, and ensure equitable access to proven interventions. By addressing critical gaps in maternal and infant healthcare, Karen aims to create transformative advancements, paving the way for healthier futures for children and families worldwide.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the HDA Women’s Excellence in Research Award. My passion lies in conducting high-quality clinical trials that generate the evidence needed to improve maternal and infant health. This work would not be possible without the dedication of an incredible team and collaborators, together our efforts drive real-world impact. By embedding proven interventions into routine care, we aim to create lasting change that ensures the best possible outcomes for mothers and babies, both in Australia and globally.”