Health Innovations Research Institute

Translating fundamental science into better health outcomes

The Health Innovations Research Institute is a new RMIT initiative that seeks to better connect the diverse communities around health enterprise to more effectively address the changing needs of biomedical research and society. The primary goal of the institute is to translate basic science discoveries into effective, safe therapeutic outcomes.

HIRi takes an integrated approach to address key health issues facing the Australian community in the 21st century through research programs focussing on understanding how the human body functions at a molecular and cellular level. This knowledge will inform innovative therapeutic strategies to target disease states.

It capitalises on existing institutional strengths to build increased research and translation capacity in identified areas of socio-economic health burden. These include cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance and diabetes, obesity, chronic and neuropathic pain.

HIRi will also provide a platform for state-of-the-art infrastructure and technologies to enable research and development capabilities to be shared with research and industry partners.

As an integral part of RMIT University and the College of Science, Engineering and Health, with linkages in the Colleges of Business and Design and Social Context, HIRi is also an institute for the broader community.

In addition to research and teaching, HIRi is developing outreach initiatives that include public lectures and tours, ‘discover science’ workshops for the public, a ‘scientist in the classroom’ project, extensive exercise and health programs and professional development courses for teachers and health professionals.

contact icon Director Research Institute, Professor David J. Adams