Research impact tag: Type - Research Impact at UWA

ORCHID: Healthy mums, healthy bubs l Erica Spry Emma Jamieson Julia Marley

September 11, 2026/in 32- Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 45- Indigenous Studies, Health, Indigenous, Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, Stories /by Rosanna Marchesani

Australia has seen gestational diabetes diagnoses rise over the past decade, along with associated pregnancy and birth complications. These risks disproportionately affect Aboriginal women, particularly in rural and remote regions, where limited access to culturally secure testing and care can create barriers to diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support. The ORCHID Study is a co-designed, community-based participatory research partnership bringing together Aboriginal communities, health services, clinicians and researchers. Through improved screening methods, culturally informed models of care and practical solutions, the team has improved the detection and management of gestational diabetes in rural and remote communities, increased the accuracy of testing, and delivered culturally appropriate care.

Guiding the future of cardiometabolic care l Gerald Watts

April 23, 2026/in 32- Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Education, Health, Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, Stories /by Rosanna Marchesani

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of premature death in Australia, with diabetes, inherited lipid disorders such as familial hypercholesterolaemia and chronic kidney disease acting as major risk factors. Professor Gerald Watts is a global leader in cardiometabolic medicine. He has devoted his career to improving health outcomes for patients at high risk of cardiometabolic disease, by employing implementation science to translate evidence into practice. He has achieved this through workforce training, mentoring students and research fellows, health system innovation, development of cardiometabolic therapies, and informing best practice guidelines at both national and international levels. His pioneering work continues to shape global approaches to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases related to lipid disorders.

Catching corporate fraud: a Systems Intentionality approach l Elise Bant

December 1, 2025/in 48 - Law and Legal Studies, Economy, Law, Public policy, Stories /by Rosanna Marchesani

Understanding a person’s ‘state of mind’ is important when determining their legal responsibility for harmful acts. Historically, a corporation is treated as an artificial legal person under the law. But its ‘state of mind’ (such as intentions, knowledge, or recklessness) has been linked to individuals, such as directors or key employees. Professor Elise Bant is an expert in Private Law and Commercial Regulation at The University of Western Australia Law School. Her model of ‘Systems Intentionality’ has recently been adopted in the High Court of Australia, as a new and more effective way of determining how corporations ‘think’. This game-changing, world-leading Australian innovation provides a principled, practical and powerful way of holding corporations to account, for the benefit of humanity.

Advancing Nanomaterials from Lab to Market: Ablano’s Journey

September 2, 2025/in 40 - Engineering, Economy, Engineering, Computing & Mathematics, Environment, R&D Infrastructure /by Bay Walsh

Ablano, a UWA spin-out, is pioneering the commercialisation of advanced nanomaterials to replace traditional materials in high-tech industries. Backed by Professor Hui Tong Chua’s research team, Ablano transforms precursor powders into few-layer graphene and boron nitride nano onions—powders that enhance strength and act as super lubricants. Their patented lamp ablation technology and access to UWA’s cutting-edge microscopy tools have accelerated progress. With a pilot facility, international patents, and nearly $4 million raised, Ablano is targeting aviation-grade lubricants and broader applications. Their collaborative model with UWA researchers exemplifies how open-access infrastructure can drive innovation from lab to market.

The art of mental wellbeing

August 8, 2025/in 36- Creative Arts and Writing, 42- Health Sciences, 52- Psychology, Economy, Environment, Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, Public policy, Stories /by Rosanna Marchesani

Maintaining good mental health is a cornerstone of overall wellbeing. It plays a crucial part in fostering resilience, balance, and clarity, in shaping the way we think and feel, and the decisions we make in daily life. However, in Australia, around 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 7 young people experienced mental ill health each year. Dr Christina Davies at The University of Western Australia leads a team of researchers who are successfully promoting arts engagement as an effective way to enhance mental wellbeing.

Restoring the land by slaying weeds and flaming seeds

August 4, 2025/in 40 - Engineering, Economy, Engineering, Computing & Mathematics, Environment, Public policy, Stories /by Rosanna Marchesani

Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi and his team at UWA’s Centre for Engineering Innovation develop innovative technologies to meet the challenges of restoring land and improving agriculture sustainability. Their comprehensive ecotech systems can effectively establish native plants, providing regulators and companies with greater confidence in the ecological restoration of these areas. In agricultural farming regions, the team’s mechanical weeding technologies combat herbicide resistant weeds with precision. Their solutions will deliver significant benefits for the environment and the economy, helping to grow food with less chemical exposure.

Early life: a time of growth and foundation-building, in need of tailored care

July 22, 2025/in 32- Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Health, Stories /by Rosanna Marchesani

Professor Valerie Verhasselt and her team at the UWA Larsson-Rosenquist Centre for Immunology and Breastfeeding (LRF-CIBF) are pioneering a shift in early-life healthcare by placing the infant’s unique needs at the centre of research and practice. They explore the active role of breast milk in immune education and long-term health, including allergy, infection, and malnutrition prevention. Their work has influenced international guidelines, policy, and parental support strategies. With over 30 global collaborators and strong consumer engagement, their research bridges scientific discovery with real-world impact, helping shape nature-inspired, age-appropriate solutions for healthier beginnings—guided by the most creative intervention: breast milk.

Martuwarra: Living Water Heritage of the Kimberley

March 13, 2025/in 45- Indigenous Studies, Culture and society, Education, Environment, Health, Indigenous, Public policy, Social, Stories /by Rosanna Marchesani

Co-Led by Associate Professor Sven Ouzman and Professor Anne Poelina from the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council, a team of researchers from The University of Western Australia and elsewhere have worked closely with Kimberley communities to produce a comprehensive overview of the Kimberley and Martuwarra River under three main categories identified by Traditional Owners: Culture, Country and Truth. It has for the first time collaboratively recorded the rich history and cultural significance of archaeological sites in the region and its people and has produced the first extensive, systematic and holistic survey and digital mapping of the cultural heritage of the seven language groups living along Martuwarra.

Breaking boundaries in trans mental health

November 13, 2024/in 44 – Studies in Human Society, Culture and society, Health, Public policy, Science, Social, Stories /by Rosanna Marchesani

Risks in mental health can be influenced by gender and age and can shape a person’s experience when accessing health care services.

The Trans Pathways study shows that trans young people have higher rates of poor mental health and problems accessing care services than their cisgender peers. It has brought to the forefront the importance of care in this population and has become a valuable resource in raising awareness of some of the problems that trans young people face, promote equity in care services, and in supporting the development of initiatives to improve the mental health of trans and gender diverse young people. The impact of Trans Pathways has been felt locally, nationally, and internationally and continues to be cited as evidence in health policy and strategy.

Repairing the body with nature in mind

October 17, 2024/in 32- Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 42- Health Sciences, Health, Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, Stories /by Rosanna Marchesani

As the population ages, the need for treatments that can repair and regenerate damaged material by promoting the body’s natural healing processes is expected to become more prevalent.

Professor Minghao Zheng is an expert in the translation of science to clinical practice. Through UWA and his partnership with Mr Paul Anderson, biotechnology companies Orthocell and Marine Biomedical were founded to develop and commercialise surgical technologies, offering practical and effective treatment of difficult cartilage, nerve, dental and bone repair for Australian patients and globally.