Our research

The Mary Mackillop Institute for Health Research comprises four research centres: Centre for Behaviour, Environment, & Health Research; Centre for Human Metabolism & Performance, Healthy Brain & Mind Research Centre; and Sports Performance, Recovery, Injury, & New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre.

Our research emphasises the complex interactions between individuals, social and physical aspects of their communities and health care systems.

This broad-based approach includes:

Environmental and behavioural epidemiological studies aimed at:

• identifying key physical and social aspects of urban environments which promote physical and cognitive health across the lifespan

• understanding how genetic, psychosocial and behavioural factors interact with the environment to impact on health identifying optimal person- and environment-tailored

• intervention strategies for the promotion of health-related behaviours

Clinical-based exercise-nutrition studies and interventions for:

• improving and maintaining muscle health

• improving and maintaining metabolic health

• the prevention and management of the adverse effects of cancer

Exercise and Sports Science research from SPRINT Research Centre aims to:

• Focus on the interactions between human performance; fatigue, sleep and recovery interventions; and the prevention, risk identification and rehabilitation of injury. 

• Translate its findings into practical applications that benefit athletes, sports organisations, and the wider community, ensuring that our research leads to measurable improvements in health and performance.

• Innovate it is at the heart of what we do. We use cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches to solve real-world problems in high performance sport. 

Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre aim to:

• Drive innovation across three core translational multidisciplinary research programs—mental health, addiction neuroscience, and development and disability—aimed at creating meaningful real‑world impact.

• Advance mental health, social participation, and well‑being through research that improves understanding, prevention, and treatment of brain‑related and psychological disorders across the lifespan.

• Translate at scale: Co‑designed, evidence‑based and digitally enabled interventions that reduce suffering and empower individuals, families, practitioners, and communities. 

Learn more about our research projects, and how to get involved.