Our Research
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences fosters exciting, diverse and impactful health research. Our researchers conduct cutting edge, transformative research that provides new insights into human biology and delivers real health outcomes to our community.
Health-related research has vastly improved the lives of our community and contributed to the greater wellbeing of our society. Innovative technologies and novel scientific discoveries have led to new treatments, new ways of thinking and the development of new health policy.
Across the faculty, we conduct world-class fundamental, biomedical, translational and population health research that is consistently ranked in the top 1% of Universities internationally. Our research activities cover the life course, from conception to ageing and fall under 17 key areas, as described below.
View the new research strategy - Healthier lives for all
Cancer Biology and Clinical Oncology
Cancer is a general term for more than 100 diseases that are characterised by the abnormal growth of…
Cardiac, Respiratory and Vascular Health
Healthy heart, lungs, arteries and veins are vital to overall good health. Despite being largely…
Fertility and Conception
Conception is the foundation event for each new life, with every child's development, growth trajectory and health over the life course set in motion from…
Pregnancy and Birth
Most prospective mothers anticipate healthy and problem-free pregnancies. However, in reality…
Early Origins of Health
The health trajectory of every child—including their metabolic, cardiovascular, immune and...
Child and Adolescent Health
Research is ongoing to detect, prevent and treat the many chronic physical and mental disorders that...
Neuroscience, Behaviour and Brain Health
The brain and spinal cord comprise the central nervous system of the body. Damage and disease...
Surgical Health Systems and Innovation
Surgical innovation, and indeed all innovation in the health system, significantly enhances the…
Indigenous Health and Health Equity
Closing the gap in health equality between Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander people and other…
Nutrition and Metabolic Health
The effects of nutrition quality and availability on metabolic processes not only plays a significant...
Oral Health
Oral health is an essential component to a healthy life. Oral health is not only concerned with teeth…
Musculoskeletal Health
Good musculoskeletal health is important at every stage of life, and plays a vital role in keeping us…
Immunology and Infection
Our immune system is at the front line for controlling infection from foreign pathogens, including…
Translational Health Outcomes
Translational health research applies basic scientific findings from laboratory and preclinical studies…
Innovative Therapeutics
Research in innovative therapeutics aims to identify new, economically sustainable therapeutic…
Ageing, Frailty and Mobility
An increasing number of Australians are living for several decades beyond their retirement. As such…
Men's Health
While the gap is narrowing, there remains a long-standing difference between the sexes in relation…
Higher degrees by research opportunities
Interested in studying a higher degree by research?
Find out what opportunities are available, how to apply and who our supervisors are.
Make a difference
A gift to our research fund is an impactful way to support the research priorities of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and the University.
For a discussion about how you can support a specific area of medical research via the faculty's Florey Medical Research Foundation, please contact our Research Fundraising Officer on +61 8313 9939, or email josie.gray@adelaide.edu.au.
Participate in research
Would you like to be a part of ground breaking medical research? Researchers in our faculty frequently undertake clinical trials to test new medical treatments and interventions.
Your participation is crucial to improving the health of our population. Explore our currently enrolling trials below.