Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)

Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) We're taking healthy further. Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) exists to transform the health and wellbeing of our communities. We’re thinking long term.

As the largest regional medical research institute in Australia, since 1998 our groundbreaking work has changed the lives of so many. We could never have done it alone. HMRI has been about collaboration from day one, when a group of world-class researchers, health professionals and community leaders created an organisation to make a positive impact on peoples’ lives. The unique partnership with our local health district, university and community, has enabled us to punch above our weight and work together in agile ways to tackle the biggest health issues of our time. We remain focused on innovation and medical research that’s relevant to everyday life. Our world leading experts collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams with one goal: to help our community be healthier and live their best lives. We’re working in the lab and beyond. We’re always listening and learning from our community to help us shape our research priorities, so we can make sure we’re providing impact where it’s needed most. At HMRI, every day we’re taking healthy further.

When you run for HMRI in the Hill to Harbour fun run, you're helping fund medical research right here in Newcastle that ...
29/01/2026

When you run for HMRI in the Hill to Harbour fun run, you're helping fund medical research right here in Newcastle that tackles cancer, diabetes, mental health and other health challenges affecting our community.

We've lined up some perks along the way to thank you for your fundraising efforts:

🏃Raise $100 and receive a Team HMRI running singlet and invitation to our post-run celebration at Carrington Bowling Club.

🏃‍♂️Raise $250 and receive an exclusive HMRI Hill to Harbour race pack including sweatband, running belt and zinc.

🏃‍♀️Raise $500 for a VIP experience at our celebration event with premium perks.

Ready to join us? Register and choose HMRI as your charity partner, or support our team with a donation: https://okt.to/Ymw9rG

How do you know if your diet is actually as healthy as you think it is? 🥗New research from The University of Newcastle, ...
28/01/2026

How do you know if your diet is actually as healthy as you think it is? 🥗

New research from The University of Newcastle, Australia and HMRI's Food and Nutrition Research Program tracked over 5,100 Australians who took the Healthy Eating Quiz twice over 7 months.

The quiz itself takes just 7 minutes. You get instant feedback tailored to your age and gender, plus practical tips on where you can improve – more veg, whole grains, protein variety, whatever it might be. No food diary, no judgment, just honest feedback.

Dr Sasha Fenton, who led the research, explains "Not everyone has regular access to a dietitian, but if we can get more people engaging with their own nutrition, even briefly, we might see meaningful improvements over time."

With poor diet being the third leading risk factor for disease in Australia, accessible tools like this could help more of us take charge of our health in a realistic way.

Read more and take the free quiz to see how your diet quality measures up: https://okt.to/j2IbZq

Professor Jay Horvat from The University of Newcastle, Australia and HMRI's Immune Health research program has secured a...
27/01/2026

Professor Jay Horvat from The University of Newcastle, Australia and HMRI's Immune Health research program has secured a $1.5 million grant to investigate a surprising link between metabolism and severe breathing conditions.

For Australians living with both asthma and COPD, treatment options are limited and the challenges are real: frequent hospitalisations, reduced quality of life, and constant breathing difficulties.

Professor Horvat's team will explore how factors like blood sugar, cholesterol, and abdominal fat influence lung inflammation and breathing function.

"We hope to pinpoint which metabolic changes matter most and which interventions could offer real relief," Professor Horvat said.

The findings could open doors to new treatments that reduce inflammation, improve breathing, and ease the burden for thousands of Australians living with chronic respiratory disease.

Read more: https://okt.to/4roUPY

We're incredibly proud to celebrate two members of our HMRI community recognised in this year's Australia Day Honours! 🎖...
27/01/2026

We're incredibly proud to celebrate two members of our HMRI community recognised in this year's Australia Day Honours! 🎖️

Professor Matt Dun from The University of Newcastle, Australia has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. As Director of Brain Cancer Research at HMRI, he leads research into paediatric brain cancers and leukaemia with 35+ national and international research awards including the 2024 Australian Society for Medical Research Medal, Matt has advanced our understanding of childhood cancers and developing new treatments. His advocacy was instrumental in securing a $20 million government funding boost for childhood brain cancer research.

Kate King has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to nursing. As a Hunter New England Local Health District trauma Clinical Nurse Consultant and member of our Injury and Trauma Research program, Kate has spent 30 years caring for patients with severe injuries and volunteers as a CPR trainer at Hunter Heart Safe.

Congratulations also to University of Newcastle Professor Vanessa Murphy, finalist for Maitland's Citizen of the Year Award. Vanessa leads research into asthma in pregnancy and developed the world-first Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit, accessed by over 32,000 users from 115+ countries.

Congratulations to three exceptional researchers and clinicians who are truly taking healthy further for our community!

We're back as charity partner for the 2026 Northern NSW Football HMRI Charity Shield! 🙌⚽Join us Friday 13 February at Ja...
26/01/2026

We're back as charity partner for the 2026 Northern NSW Football HMRI Charity Shield! 🙌⚽

Join us Friday 13 February at Jack McLaughlan Oval in Edgeworth for a brilliant double-header:

6pm: Charlestown Azzurri v Maitland FC (Women)
8.15pm: Broadmeadow Magic v Cooks Hill United (Men)

Pop by the HMRI tent, enter our raffle, and chat to our team about the life-changing research happening right here in the Hunter!

Learn more: https://okt.to/A6ZV2w

21/01/2026

Today, Australia marks its first National Day of Mourning following the tragedy in Bondi on 14 December 2025.

For many, this is not a news story. It is grief, fear, heartbreak and loss that is felt deeply and personally.

On behalf of everyone at HMRI, we extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives or were injured, and we acknowledge the pain carried by all those affected, including our Jewish community.

There is no place for antisemitism, hatred or violence in Australia, and at HMRI we stand for inclusion, respect and safety.

At 7:01pm tonight, Australians are invited to pause for a minute’s silence. We encourage our community to join in reflection and remembrance.

Today, if you feel able, you might also choose an act of kindness (a mitzvah) to carry out:

❤️Check in with someone you care about, especially anyone you think may be affected.

❤️Remember there are specific supports available to families and friends and other victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist incident: https://okt.to/sk8EnI

❤️Make space for others by offering patience, gentleness, and understanding.

❤️Offer practical help by taking something off someone's plate, shift a deadline, or sharing a load.

❤️Send a message of gratitude to a colleague who has been steady and supportive.

❤️Contribute in another tangible way by donating blood or donate to trusted services supporting those affected.

21/01/2026

It's a question that researchers from HMRI and The University of Newcastle, Australia explored in a new review paper that maps out both the potential and the pitfalls of using artificial intelligence in mental health services.

The technology offers real possibilities. Machine learning can analyse complex datasets to improve diagnosis and predict which treatments might work best for individuals. Smartphones and wearables can track patterns in everyday life, providing insights that go beyond a single clinic visit. AI-powered tools could help extend care to people facing long wait times.

But there are important challenges to address. Privacy, safety, clinical oversight and earning patient trust are all critical considerations.

"Mental health care involves some of the most intimate aspects of personal information, and any technological innovation must earn trust and genuinely support the therapeutic relationship, not replace it," says Professor Michael Breakspear from HMRI's Brain Health Research Program.

The review outlines a path forward that puts patients first and ensures AI tools are rigorously tested in real-world settings before they're rolled out.

With mental health services under increasing pressure across Australia, this research provides a thoughtful look at how technology might help, and what needs to happen to get there safely.

🧠 Read more: https://okt.to/k6ZyA0

20/01/2026

Behind every experiment, sample, and discovery at HMRI is the infrastructure that makes it all possible and a dedicated team making sure it runs perfectly, 24/7.

Our facility houses PC2 labs, a bio laboratory, and a freeze farm storing decades of precious research in 50-60 ultra-low temperature freezers. We've got 4,500 kilowatt chill water plants, reverse osmosis machines, and precision pressure controls maintaining optimal conditions at all times. It's intricate, specialised, with built-in redundancy so research never stops.

Versair manages these complex mechanical systems around the clock. Their technicians are on-site, ready to respond at a moment's notice, ensuring maintenance happens with minimal to no interruption to our researchers. And recently, they've helped us optimise these systems to run more efficiently and sustainably, aligning with our environmental goals.

As Australia's largest regional medical research institute, we run on partnerships like this one. Versair keeps our critical systems operating so our researchers can keep working towards healthier futures for the Hunter and beyond.

Every year, our HMRI Art Series Commission pairs our Research Excellence Award winner with a talented artist to tell the...
14/01/2026

Every year, our HMRI Art Series Commission pairs our Research Excellence Award winner with a talented artist to tell the story of life-saving research. This year, Professor Joshua Davis and Newcastle artist Belinda Street sat down to begin that journey.

Professor Davis from The University of Newcastle, Australia leads HMRI's Infection Research Program and has transformed the management of severe infections worldwide. His leadership of the SNAP trial – the world's largest randomised controlled trial for Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection – has reshaped global treatment guidelines. He also co-led Australia's major COVID-19 treatment trials (ASCOT) and advanced care for prosthetic joint infections through the PIANO study.

Belinda was selected from 27 submissions by four independent judges for the way she captures not just what she sees, but what she feels – blending observation with emotion and memory in a way that's both striking and meaningful. As this year's HMRI Art Series Commission artist, she'll now translate Professor Davis' life-saving research into an original artwork that captures both the science and the human impact behind it.

We can't wait to see this collaboration come to life!

The completed piece will be auctioned in June 2026 to raise funds for medical research at HMRI.

Art for Impact brings together local artists and leading medical researchers to create meaningful change right here in t...
13/01/2026

Art for Impact brings together local artists and leading medical researchers to create meaningful change right here in the Hunter.

We're inviting artists to donate an original artwork to our auction weekend this March at Earp Distilling Co. You'll receive 50% of the sale price, with the remainder going directly to support critical medical research at HMRI – research that's making a real difference for families across the Hunter and beyond.

Your work will be showcased online and throughout our Art for Impact weekend events.
It's a chance to display your talent while knowing every piece contributed helps fund the life-changing breakthroughs happening right here in our region.

Register your interest: https://okt.to/anIGyA

Address

1 Kookaburra Cct
New Lambton, NSW
2305

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+611300993822

Website

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Category

Giving Hope, Finding Answers

What began in 1998 as a bold vision to improve community wellbeing in the Hunter Region of NSW has today evolved into a world-class institute with 1500 medical researchers, students and support staff striving to prevent, treat and defeat a multitude of serious illnesses. Over 20 years later the health and wellbeing of the community remains at the heart of all we do.

Delivering patient-focused translational research is our major goal, which means seed funding start-up studies, supporting larger scale research projects whilst fostering a flow of information and innovation back and forth between scientists, clinicians and public health professionals. Attracting top health and medical specialists and collaborating with other leading institutes and industries helps to fast-track the provision of new and better health solutions.