Our research

The Mary Mackillop Institute for Health Research comprises three research programs: Behaviour, Environment and Cognition; Bone Health and Fractures; Exercise and Nutrition.

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

Clinical osteoporosis studies for:

• improving bone metabolism to prevent bone loss by modulating the gut microbiome
• identifying components in the gut microbiome related to effects on bone metabolism
• identifying novel clinical risk factors for fall injury and fractures in postmenopausal women and older men
• updating the fracture risk prediction tool FRAX® to better identify those patients at highest risk of fracture

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