Health research at Griffith University

Professor Leanna Aitken

Genetics, drug discovery, public health, workforce issues and more – health and medical research at Griffith University spans laboratory-based, clinical and community research.

Its research has major applications in sustaining healthy communities, from children to the elderly, and at local, national and international levels. As well as improving our understanding of disease, the research aims to inform the development of improved treatments, health services and health policy.

Through leadership and innovation in research and community engagement, Griffith aims to create sustained improvements in health and health care.

Some of the internationally regarded research leaders include:
•    Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research director Professor Lyn Griffiths for her genetics research in the area of migraine and other disorders;
•    Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention director Professor Diego De Leo for his world-leading work in the area of suicide prevention; and
•    Institute for Glycomics director Professor Mark von Itzstein for his drug discovery efforts particularly against influenza.

The University also boasts outstanding research facilities including on-campus laboratories and clinics, together with strong links into hospital and community-based research and practice settings. These links draw together different disciplines and help ensure the research agenda is up-to-date and meeting community needs.

Griffith also has strategic collaborations with many other research institutions including the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.

Professor Lyn Griffiths

Recent highlights

•    Professor Lyn Griffiths has recently identified a particular gene mutation in a subset of migraineurs which leads to increased blood levels of homocysteine.  A clinical trial has found that a low cost dietary supplement of vitamin B and folic acid reduces homocysteine levels and in turn, improves migraine symptoms.
•    Psychologists in the Behavioural Basis of Health research program have shown their Parent-Child Interaction Therapy can reduce the number of child maltreatment notifications. Only 47 per cent of at-risk families who completed the program were re-notified compared to 73 per cent of families who failed to complete the 12-week program.
•    Professor Leanne Aitken, from the Research Centre for Clinical and Community Practice Innovation, has just been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Senior Scholarship to develop collaborative research with US colleagues. Professor Aitken, Chair in Critical Care Nursing at Griffith University and Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, said the research will focus on improving pain relief and the management of sedation in intensive care and trauma patients.

•    The Department of Health and Ageing will fund the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention under the leadership of Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP) director Professor Diego De Leo. AISRAP is already one of only three centres internationally designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention.