Health and Medical Sciences

Understanding the greatest health mysteries of our time

Research in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences encompasses high-quality educational and research programs across the spectrum of medical, dental and health science disciplines. Our pioneering research work in many fields continues to have an impact on the health of people worldwide, be it in preventing preterm birth, discovering the genetic basis of inherited and acquired disorders, or regenerative medicine.

While our research spans many fields, our researchers all share the desire to make a difference by translating their discoveries into clinical practice. Interdisciplinary collaboration is at the heart of our research success. Many of our researchers are affiliated with multiple research groups and across schools.

Areas of research priority are:

  • Ageing and aged care  
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions
  • Asthma
  • Cancer control
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Dementia
  • Diabetes
  • Health security
  • Indigenous health
  • Injury prevention
  • Maternal health in the first 200 days
  • Mental health
  • Obesity 
The aim of health research is to find solutions for problems that affect the physical and mental well-being of our community, and ultimately contribute to the building of a more prosperous and cohesive society. Professor Osvaldo Almeida, Associate Dean of Research

Our schools

Medical School

Research spans the breadth of medical issues and is carried out in labs, hospitals and communities in WA, Australia and internationally.

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Dental School

Using state-of-the-art facilities, our research contributes to the understanding of oral diseases, their prevention and treatment. 

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School of Allied Health

Our research aims to improve the expertise of our future health professionals.

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School of Biomedical Science

Research in this area explores the intersection of human pathology and health.

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School of Population and Global Health

We take an evidence-based approach through research, advocacy and health promotion to protect and improve the health of communities.

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Course of interest

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News

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Research staff

Professor John Newnham

John Newnham is a Professor of Obstetrics and Head of the Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The University of Western Australia.

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Sandra Carr

Professor Sandra Carr

Professor Sandra Carr is the Head of Division of Health Professions Education at UWA.

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Dr Amr Fawzy Moussa

Dr Amr Fawzy Moussa

Dr Amr Fawzy Moussa leads the Biomaterials and Nano-Dentistry research group and is a senior lecturer at The University of Western Australia.

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Anna Nowak

Professor Anna Nowak is a leading oncologist, cancer researcher and professor at The University of Western Australia.

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Professor Colleen Fisher

Colleen Fisher is a professor at The University of Western Australia and Head of the School of Population and Global Health. Her research expertise is in the area of family and domestic violence.

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Dr Allison Imrie

Dr Allison Imrie is a virologist investigating emergent viral diseases and discovering novel viruses.

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Adam Hamilton

Adam Hamilton is the Discipline lead in Prosthodontics at the University of Western Australia.

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Osvaldo Almeida

Professor Osvaldo Almeida

Professor Osvaldo P. Almeida is the Director of Research at the WA Centre for Health and Ageing at The University of Western Australia.

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Dr Peter Franklin

Dr Peter Franklin is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Population and Global Health at UWA.

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Dr Deena Ashoorian

Dr Deena Ashoorian is an academic and researcher in the Pharmacy program at UWA’s School of Allied Health. During her career, Professor Ashoorian has worked many years as a community pharmacist in Australia and overseas.

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Professor Leon Flicker

Professor Leon Flicker is a leading expert in health and ageing in UWA’s Medical School, researching general heath, falls, depression and cognitive impairment.

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Dr Kevin Murray

Dr Kevin Murray is an applied biostatistician and Graduate Research Coordinator for the School of Population and Global Health at UWA.

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Associate Professor Nathan Pavlos

The University of Western Australia Associate Professor Nathan Pavlos is Head of the Bone Biology and Disease Group in School of Biomedical Sciences.

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Jilen Patel

Dr Jilen Patel works at The University of Western Australia as a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Dentistry. He works with communities in disadvantaged areas to improve oral health outcomes.

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Dr Kenneth Lee

Dr Kenneth Lee is a senior lecturer for Pharmacy Practice at UWA. Dr Lee completed a PhD (2015) and a Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours (2010), before joining UWA.

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Professor Wendy Erber

Professor Wendy Erber is a world-renowned haematologist and Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the Medical School.

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Adjunct Professor Jane Heyworth

Adjunct Professor Jane Heyworth is an environmental epidemiologist, member of the Global Environment Health and Research Group, and Deputy Head of School of Population and Global Health at The University of Western Australia.

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Associate Professor Hayley Christian

Associate Professor Hayley Christian is a Senior Research Fellow and leads the PLAYCE (Play Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity) program of research at UWA’s School of Population and Global Health.

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Michaela Lucas

Michaela Lucas

Michaela Lucas is a Clinical Immunologist, Allergist, Pathologist and Head of Drug Allergy Services at Sir Charles Gairdner and Perth Children’s Hospitals

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Wilfred Tang

Primary eyecare advocate and passionate optometry educator

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Rhonda Clifford

Professor Rhonda Clifford

Professor Rhonda Clifford is the Head of School for Allied Health at the University of Western Australia. Professor Clifford has a significant service portfolio both within UWA and externally via professional pharmacy and other organisations.

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Vera

Professor Emerita Professor Vera Morgan

Professor Emerita Vera Morgan is Head of the Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Research Unit in The University of Western Australia School of Population and Global Health

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Liza Seubert

Liza Seubert

Liza Seubert is an experienced registered pharmacist and the head of division for Pharmacy at The University of Western Australia. She has extensive pharmacy experience with more than 28 years in community pharmacy, governance and teaching, and has been an academic at UWA since 2008.

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Dr Julie Saunders

Dr Julie Saunders is a senior lecturer and Director of Public Health Postgraduate Coursework Studies in the School of Population and Global Health at UWA.

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Julie Loveny

Ms Julie Loveny is an experienced educator and part time lecturer at UWA, specialising in social work and workplace mental health.

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Gary Hulse

Professor Gary Hulse

Gary Hulse is Professor of Addiction Medicine within the Division of Psychiatry at The University of Western Australia and previous Chair of the Committee on Alcohol and Drug Education on behalf of the Deans Australia and New Zealand Medical Schools.

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Associate Professor Justin Denny

Dr Justin Denny is an Associate Professor of Global Health at UWA, maintaining his appointments as the Kathryn Robertson Professor of Global Health, an endowed faculty position at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU).

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Professor Minghao Zheng

Professor Minghao Zheng is a globally renowned researcher and Associate Dean, International, of the Faculty of Health and Medical Science at UWA.

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Dr Siobhan Hickling

Dr Siobhan Hickling is a research dietitian and epidemiologist, member of the Cardiovascular Research Group, and undergraduate coordinator for Population Health in UWA’s School of Population and Global Health.

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Leticia Algarves Miranda

Associate Professor Leticia Algarves Miranda is the Discipline Lead of Periodontics at UWA’s Dental School

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Professor David Preen

David Preen is the Chair in Public Health at the School of Population and Global Health, and Professor of Public Health at The University of Western Australia.

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Dr Susan Young

Dr Susan Young is a social worker and UWA lecturer who is exploring research in community approaches to child protection locally and globally.

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Dr Andrew Ford

Dr Andrew Ford’s research specialisations include studying risk factors for dementia, psychiatric sequela of stroke, and mood disorders.

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Dr Beatrice Tucker

Dr Beatrice Tucker is the Evaluation Lead for UWA’s Medical School. She is responsible for the design, development, implementation and administration of an evaluation framework.

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Scott McCoombe

Dr Scott McCoombe works at the University of Western Australia as the Sub-Dean International and Athelstan Saw Senior Fellow in Health, Medicine and Society

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Helen Wilcox

Dr Helen Wilcox is the Doctor of Medicine Program Director and Head of the Medical Education Unit with the Medical School at UWA.

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Professor Sean Hood

Sean Hood is Head of UWA’s Division of Psychiatry, UWA Medical School and Associate Dean, Community and Engagement, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. He is Head of the Treatment Resistant Anxiety and Mood Disorders (TRAMD) Unit at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Mental Health Unit.

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Associate Professor Charlene Kahler

Associate Professor Charlene Kahler

Dr Charlene Kahler is Head of the Infection and Immunity Division at The University of Western Australia’s School of Biomedical Sciences.

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Professor Jeffrey Keelan

Professor Jeffrey Keelan teaches at UWA’s Medical School and is head of the School of Biomedical Sciences.

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Hien Ngo

Professor Hien Ngo works at The University of Western Australia as the Dean and Head of Dental School, and Director of the Oral Health Centre of WA.

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Dr Ian Li

Dr Ian Li is an economist based at the School of Population and Global Health at The University of Western Australia. He teaches health economics at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and researches health economics and labour markets.

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Associate Professor Peter Richmond

Professor Peter Richmond is head of the School of Paediatrics at UWA and leads the Vaccine Trials Group at Perth Children’s Hospital.

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Melinda Boss

Melinda Boss

Melinda Boss is a pioneer of research into human lactation.

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Emeritus Professor D’Arcy Holman

D’Arcy Holman is an Emeritus Professor at The University of Western Australia and formerly held the University’s foundation Chair in Public Health.

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Professor Lee Yong Lim

Lee Yong Lim is a pharmacy professor at UWA. Professor Lim has worked for more than 20 years on particular drug delivery systems.

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Associate Professor Tom Briffa

Centre for Health Services Research Director Tom Briffa is a world-leading researcher into the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

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Christopher Blyth

Associate Professor Christopher Blyth is a clinician scientist with the Division of Paediatrics at The University of Western Australia

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Dr Lee Nedkoff

Dr Lee Nedkoff is a Research Fellow and Cardiovascular Epidemiologist in the School of Population and Global Health at UWA.

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Dr Rashmi Watson

Dr Rashmi Watson has been an active educator for 25 years in multiple education academic roles and joined the UWA Medical School as the Assessment Lead within the Medical Education Unit in 2020.

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Our facilities

J. Robin Warren Library

A vibrant learning space for students, graduates and the community. Available 24-hours for students in Medical related courses.

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Pathology museum

Our unique collection is used to educate medical, nursing and science undergraduates, and assists in training specialist pathologists to improve their understanding of mechanisms of disease and diagnostic pathology.

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Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH)

CAMDH supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aspiring to graduate as doctors, dentists, podiatrists and become leaders in the field of Aboriginal Health

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The Oral Health Centre of Western Australia

The Oral Health Centre, a state-of-the-art dental teaching and learning facility united with an oral health care clinic, is the only institution in WA offering tertiary training in dentistry.

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CTEC

CTEC combines an interactive hospital environment with expert clinical educators to offer training to junior doctors and senior consultants in a way that supplements traditional clinical-based training.

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Biomedical students

Biomedical laboratories

The Biomedical Laboratories are hi-tech training facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate students at UWA.

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Centre for clinical research in neuropsychiatry

The Centre for Clinical Research in Neuropsychiatry (CCRN) conducts multidisciplinary research into severe mental illness such as schizophrenia.

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Biomedical Sciences students

Biomedical Sciences E-Learning Suites

The interactive suites offer students practical diagnostic experience and an environment that mimics the consultative nature of a working laboratory.

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Institute for Respiratory Health

Discover leading researchers and dedicated clinicians who investigate, diagnose, treat and prevent respiratory conditions.

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WA Centre for Health and Ageing

The WA Centre for Health and Ageing (WACHA) is a leading education and clinical studies centre re-defining ageing research in Western Australia.

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UWA Health Campus

The UWA Health Campus provides cutting-edge specialist teaching and learning facilities for students, professionals and patients.

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Contact Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

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Access

UWA students and staff, 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday.