Researchers in the Brain and Mental Health Program are at the forefront of scientific discovery and translation across a broad range of research areas, including stroke, brain injury and rehabilitation, neuroscience, mental and physical health, cognition (psychology), ageing, pain, mood disorders, schizophrenia and community intervention.

Cancer is a major cause of disability and death in Australia with an estimate of 130,470 new cases of cancer diagnosed this year. It is projected that by 2020, this number will rise to 150,000. (Source – Cancer Council Australia)

Researchers in the HMRI Cancer research program study many different types of cancers using multidisciplinary and collaborative techniques which make them a diverse and well-rounded translational research group.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia accounting for 30% of all deaths with an estimated 22% of Australian experiencing cardiovascular disease at some point in their life. (Source - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)

The cardiovascular group at HMRI researches the causes, treatments and management of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular health amongst Australians of all ages to improve the health outcomes of the single largest cause of disease burden in our Country. 

The HMRI Pregnancy and Reproduction program brings together researchers focussed on understanding the environmental and biological processes that affect fertility, reproduction, pregnancy and birth.

With 1 in 6 couples in Australia being infertile, and 1 in 3 women aged over 35 years of age having fertility problems, research into pregnancy and reproduction has never been more in demand. More than 1 per cent of babies are born as a result of assisted reproduction in Australia and this marks a new generation of children who are the product of successful scientific technologies. (Source - ABC Health & Wellbeing Infertility Fact File)

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. (Source - World Health Organization)

The HMRI Public Health Program seeks to improve the health of the community through population health interventions to promote healthy behaviours and enable effective, integrated and equitable health care for all. 

The HMRI Viruses, Infections/Immunity, Vaccines and Asthma (VIVA) Research Program brings together basic researchers to investigate diseases of the airways.

This includes extensive research into the role of infections and inflammation in the development of asthma and other respiratory problems. The group also researches the biology of viruses, how they can affect respiration and methods of developing new vaccines for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.