Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research

The Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research (MMIHR) aims to address critical public health issues by identifying and responding with innovative programs that deliver better health outcomes and transform lives. 

MMIHR collaborates with team of renowned researchers and international academics alongside HDR students and professional staff to tackle today's most pressing health challenges. 

Meet the team

Our team of award winning, world-class researchers bring together their diverse strengths through each of our research programs.   

Meet our people

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Behaviour, Environment and Cognition Research Program

The Behaviour, Environment and Cognition Research Program explores the interaction between urban environments and physical and cognitive health.

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Bone Health and Fractures Research Program

The Bone Health and Fractures Research Program has a strong focus on improving fracture prediction and identifying novel prevention and treatment strategies for osteoporosis.

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Exercise and Nutrition Research Program

The Exercise and Nutrition Research Program investigates the roles of exercise and diet in the prevention of chronic lifestyle-related diseases.

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News and events

Evening is the best time of day to exercise for glycaemic control, ACU study

26 May 2021

Men who were overweight and at risk of diabetes had better overnight blood sugar control when they exercised in the early evening rather than in the morning.

Time-restricted eating could be a long-term dietary strategy for those with type 2 diabetes

24 May 2021

Time-restricted eating could be a gamechanger for more than one million Australians with type 2 diabetes.

HIIT and resistance training builds muscle and improves fitness in middle-aged men

26 April 2021

A six-week exercise program of either high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or resistance training can build and maintain muscle mass and strength in middle-aged men, new ACU research has found.

Better mitochondria help athletes make gains

19 April 2021

The muscles of elite endurance athletes boast high numbers of extra-efficient mitochondria, the ‘energy’ powerhouse of muscle cells. Unlocking the secrets of these cellular components could yield gain...

Shot of exercise can prevent COVID-19's deadly fallout

14 April 2021

Australian Catholic University Professor Jim Sallis, has called for a heightened focus on exercise as a pandemic control after his research revealed physically inactive COVID-19 patients were two-and-...

Time-restricted feeding improves health without altering the body's core clock

17 November 2020

When it comes to metabolic health, it's not just what you eat, it's when you eat it. New ACU research has added to the growing body of evidence showing how time-restricted feeding can improve health e...

Featured projects

MMIHR project - exercise therapy

Exercise therapy

Men with prostate cancer experience increased rates of mental health issues. This project examines whether exercise aids the management of mental health issues in men with cancer.

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Built environment and physical activity

We’re supporting the International Physical Activity and the Environment Network (IPEN) Adolescent study, which explores how the built environment affects physical activity and obesity in teenagers.

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Greenery and mental health

Mental health issues are common in residential aged care facilities. This project investigates whether exposing new residents to greenery may protect them against declining wellbeing.

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MMIHR research - epigenetic control

Epigenetic control and the circadian clock

We are collaborating with the University of Copenhagen, Karolinska Institute and the University of Carolina to further understand the benefits of exercise for people with type 2 diabetes.

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Get in touch

Level 5, 215 Spring Street,
Melbourne, VIC, 3000

Connect with us

Chat with our team via social media.

Call (03) 9230 8110
Email mackillopinstitute@acu.edu.au