Exploring solutions to our greatest health challenges
IHMRI affiliated researchers at the University of Wollongong and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District are actively working on a diverse range of projects to find solutions to our greatest health challenges.
The list below details projects that are currently supported by major funding bodies, such the National Health and Medical Research Council, grants on the Australian Competitive Grant register, as well as other smaller schemes.
Click on the project name for more details. The research projects are in alphabetical order. You can also search for particular phrases or topics by using the search function at the top of the page.
For a more simplified, non-scientific description of the work of IHMRI researchers, visit What we research.
Enabling next generation radiotherapy for cancer: Development of novel Quality Assurance instrumentation for Proton Therapy
Outcomes of this project will be a novel microdosimeter that can measure key parameters for treatment planning, spare healthy tissue around the tumour, and able to be implemented into routine clinical practice.
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Enhancing delivery of gene therapy to motor neurons and glial cells using focused ultrasound
We have designed a drug carrier (nanoparticle) that can moderately increase the delivery of drugs into the brain. We now wish to enhance the penetration and targeting capabilities of this drug carrier using externally applied, noninvasive focused ultrasound.
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Epigenetic mechanisms of early antipsychotic exposure on brain development
Dr Jiamei received this one-year Career Development Grant from the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute in 2017.
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Exposures of mobile phone radiofrequency electromagnetic energy in juveniles: effects on brain development and behaviours
Mobile communications have enormous social and economic benefits, but the potential health consequences of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic energy (RF-EME) has raised concern worldwide.
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Identifying optimal daily levels of movement behaviours in early childhood
Dr Dylan Cliff was awarded this two year ARC Discovery Project Grant in 2020. The funding will support their project investigating how much physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep young children need each day to best support their development.
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Illawarra Born cross generational health study
Led by Senior Professor Brin Grenyer and coordinated by Dr Michelle Townsend, Illawarra Born is Illawarra Born is a scientific research study of child and family development involving researchers from the University of Wollongong and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
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Implementing trial of long-acting buprenorphine injections for opioid dependence (CoLAB)
Dr Briony Larance is working on this four-year trial funded by Indivior with Professor Michael Farrell from the University of NSW.
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Investigating neuroendocrine dysregulation as new targets for chronic pain management
Dr Yee Lian Chew was awarded this five-year NHMRC Investigator Grant (Emerging Leader 1) in 2019 to study neuroendocrine dysregulation as new targets for chronic pain management.
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Long-term effects of early antipsychotic exposure in juveniles on adult brain and behaviour
Dr Jiamei Lian was awarded this four-year NHMRC Peter Doherty Biomedical Early Career Fellowship in 2016.
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Mapping dynamic lipid biochemistry with high spatial and molecular detail
Dr Shane Ellis was awarded this grant for three years to map dynamic lipid biochemistry with high spatial and molecular detail. Lipids are a complex and underappreciated family of molecules playing important roles in all of our tissues and cells.
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