First seen on Bench Side Story 7th November 2023
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, also known as SAHMRI has had significant impacts in various areas over the past ten years, and this year is celebrating its 10 year anniversary with a week of events.
Executive Director, Professor Maria Makrides spoke to Australian Health Journal about 3 achievements in the past 10 years that have had significant impact
- International leadership breakthroughs in leukaemia research
- Culturally appropriate Indigenous health research and clinical care
- Omega 3 fatty acids as a preterm birth prevention
Looking ahead, SAHMRI is not standing still, and the newly built, and when fully installed, Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research will be Australia’s first proton therapy centre and the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Centre will occupy the ground floor and three below-ground levels of the Australian Bragg Centre building which has recently been completed on the eastern side of the distinctive SAHMRI building on North Terrace, Adelaide.
The centre will also be an integral part in a global network undertaking proton therapy research. Proton therapy is a precise, non-invasive radiotherapy that can destroy cancer cells while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue including vital organs.
As a relatively new treatment option and one that remains expensive and not widely available, proton therapy has only been validated against a small range of cancers. The technology is potentially beneficial in treating many other diseases, but more research is needed in these areas to prove its efficacy.
SAHMRI represents an exciting and unique statewide concept, bringing together basic and translational research, South Australia’s three universities and the health system. SAHMRI works in collaboration with its partners to provide a clear focal point for health and medical research, including paving the way for new partnerships, innovative research projects and improved health outcomes.
The career opportunities at SAHMRI for researchers ranges from early career stage to recognised experts in their fields. Nothing unique with that, but the ability to validate discovery makes SAHMRI a unique work environment.
According to Executive Director, Professor Maria Makrides, “The culture is characterised by being fast, focused, friendly, flexible, and fun, which has fostered innovation, collaboration, and the ability to take risks and learn from both successes and failures to make advancements quickly.”
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Medical research institutes association responds to draft national research strategy
On 27 August 2025, the Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing announced the release of the draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy (the National Strategy).
Involved in the initial consultation phase, was the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), the peak body for medical research institutes across Australia. Member institutes work on a broad spectrum of human health issues such as preventive health, chronic disease, mental health, immunology and Indigenous health. Their research ranges from fundamental biomedical discovery through to clinical research and the translation of research findings.
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Forum fosters dialogue in breast cancer
In October 2024, the Frazier Institute hosted an event dedicated to breast cancer advocacy and research, supported by TRI (Translational Research Institute), National Breast Cancer Foundation, PA Research Foundation, Health Translation Queensland, QUT and The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine/Frazer Institute.
The key aim of the event co-organised by Associate Professor Joy Wolfram, Group Leader, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology & School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland was to foster dialogue between breast cancer lived experience advocates (consumers), researchers, and clinicians.
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Prioritising Oral Health in Aged Care and Disability Support
Leonie Short is a Dental Practitioner and Dental Therapist. She started working as a dental therapist in Rural NSW and then moved into being an academic and researcher. Through her career, Leonie has worked at 6 universities across New South Wales and Queensland, and remaining community focused.
Leonie’s mission is to have improved oral health experiences and outcomes, however she recognises, the health system really needs to work hard to make it happen and for people to understand why it needs to be a priority.
