About us

We are Australia’s largest regional medical research institute, driving solutions across a diverse range of health and wellbeing areas that impact our communities.

We’re taking healthy further

From day one, HMRI has always been about our community. We exist to transform the health and wellbeing of our communities, and our goal is to create the healthiest million people for the planet right here in the Hunter New England region.

Our vision is not just a local or a regional one. We aim to discover local and cure global, making health discoveries in our region that are scalable and can be applied to transform health outcomes right around the world.

With a founding partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Local Health District and the community, our Institute is a shining example of what can be achieved when we come together under a shared purpose.

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1700+

RESEARCHERS, STAFF AND STUDENTS

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1 MILLION

PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY

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19

RESEARCH PROGRAMS

We empower excellence across a wide number of fields in medical research. 

HMRI now represents more than 1,700 researchers, staff and students working across all stages of the research translation journey, from testing new ideas in the lab, to trialling breakthrough medicines in patients who need it most, to delivering innovative programs in our communities, and important new treatments in our hospitals.

Our researchers cover an extensive range of research areas including asthma, cancer, stroke, mental health and many more. We also have extensive expertise in a range of approaches to medical research including drug repurposing and brain neuromodulation.

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We are unmatched in our access to urban, regional and rural communities.

We live in a very special place and our secret to success is the way we come together to tackle the biggest issues of our time. 

Almost 30% of Australia’s population live outside of major cities, in areas that have a higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, elderly people and other priority populations. The Hunter New England region is reflective of this, home to a diverse population of almost one million people spread across urban, regional, and rural locations.  

Importantly, as our researchers discover what works locally, these insights can be applied to other places in NSW, Australia and worldwide. 

We connect with our communities to drive meaningful health outcomes. 

At HMRI, we push our research further to make it relevant to everyday life. 

Our world leading experts collaborate across multidisciplinary teams with one goal, to help our community be healthier. We want to supercharge this, by being radically collaborative with the one million people in our Hunter New England region. 

When we partner with the community, health and medical research becomes more relevant to our community’s needs.  

We’re getting out of the lab and into your world. We’re listening and doing. We’re thinking long term. We are open to all and connected to many.  

Community connection
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We house a comprehensive suite of services designed to accelerate research translation.

We provide world-class facilities and access to a suite of research accelerator services within our HMRI ecosystem.  

HMRI has expertise in clinical trials, data sciences, health economics, research impact, histology, and imaging. 

Our research accelerator services unite multidisciplinary expertise under one roof to support the entire health and medical research pipeline.

Our teams are leaders in their fields and help ensure our research is embedded into our communities efficiently, supporting our region to have world-leading health services that have real life impact.  

Case Studies

HMRI unites world-class researchers from the University of Newcastle, clinicians and healthcare experts from Hunter New England Local Health District, and community insights to drive innovative medical research and improve health outcomes.

Together, we’re taking healthy further.

For people living with stroke, the opportunity to exercise, socialise, dance and make art not only helps rebuild speech, motor skills and fitness — it’s also a fun way to boost connections and confidence in a supported setting. The ESTEEM program is doing just that.
CaseStudyIcons participants

70+​

STROKE SURVIVORS HAVE PARTICIPATED ​

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10​

WEEK PROGRAM

location

2

LOCATIONS ACROSS REGIONAL NSW

70+​

STROKE SURVIVORS HAVE PARTICIPATED ​

10​

WEEK PROGRAM

2

LOCATIONS ACROSS REGIONAL NSW

The Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+) is a proven diabetes care model helping improve the prevention, detection, treatment, and self-management of diabetes in rural and regional communities.
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4000+

PATIENTS HELPED

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800+

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE ROLLING OUT DAP+

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96

PATIENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IDENTIFY AS INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

4000+

PATIENTS HELPED

800+

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE ROLLING OUT DAP+

96

PATIENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IDENTIFY AS INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered is a world-first, evidence-based program that brings together fathers/father-figures & their primary school-aged daughters to promote physical activity, enhance sport skills, and boost wellbeing. 
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3100+

PARTICIPATING DADS AND DAUGHTERS

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380

EDUCATORS TRAINED

partnership

30

GOVERNMENT AND SPORTING PARTNERSHIPS

3100+

PARTICIPATING DADS AND DAUGHTERS

380

EDUCATORS TRAINED

30

GOVERNMENT AND SPORTING PARTNERSHIPS

Burn 2 Learn is a world first school-based physical activity HIIT program, improving fitness, wellbeing and enhancing academic achievement of high school students. 
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18,000+

PARTICIPATING STUDENTS

CaseStudyIcons education

325

TEACHERS TRAINED

location

218

SCHOOLS

18,000+

PARTICIPATING STUDENTS

325

TEACHERS TRAINED

218

SCHOOLS

The IMPOSTERS trial is revolutionising post-surgery care and patient comfort. Additionally, the clinical trial is also identifing cost-savings opportunities that will improve environmental  sustainability by minimising single-use devices.
CaseStudyIcons participants

550+

patients participated in the trial

hospital

3

participating hospitals

CaseStudyIcons funding

$850K

awarded to support the research project

550+

patients participated in the trial

3

participating hospitals

$850K

awarded to support the research project

Our team

Our team share a spirit of dedication and curiosity. We’re here to lead and enable researchers and students to undertake medical research. 

Our partners
Hunter Medical Research Institute is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Local Health District and the community.
Our strategy

We’re actively preparing for a future that is mindful and responsive to emerging trends, advances, and shifts in the environment.

Governance
We’re committed to the highest standards of governance in our research and workplace activities.
Fundraising partners

Our fundraising partners share our vision for developing strong research and healthier outcomes for our communities.

Contact
Connect with our people, from partnerships to our donation team.

Donate to life-saving research today

Help us find solutions that prevent illness and allow people to have longer, healthier, happier lives.

Donate to life-saving research today

Help us find solutions that prevent illness and allow people to have longer, healthier, happier lives.