Research Bytes

How childhood trauma shapes mental health later in life

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:11:00 GMT

Dr Lucy Grummit from the Matilda Centre discusses her research on the lasting mental health impacts of childhood maltreatment, including how early experiences of abuse and neglect contribute to depression, substance use and suicide later in life.

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Measuring nerve damage after chemotherapy with Dr Tiffany Li

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:39:55 GMT

Dr Tiffany Li is tackling one of cancer treatment’s most overlooked challenges: nerve damage caused by chemotherapy. Tiffany’s work focuses on how patient-reported experiences can inform and improve diagnosis.

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Dr Radek Szmyd is uncovering how DNA repair pathways shape cancer cell death

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:38:39 GMT

Have you ever wondered how cancer cells die after radiation therapy? Dr Szmyd’s research findings reveal a surprising twist and what that could mean for future treatments.

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Dr Nunki Hassan is uncovering new pathways to treat acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 04:25:53 GMT

Dr Nunki Hassan was just 10 years old when her passion for science was sparked by Bill Nye the Science Guy and The Magic School Bus. Today, she’s turning that early curiosity into pioneering research, exploring new pathways toward more effective treatments for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

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Understanding the Microbiome: From the womb to the world

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 01:44:11 GMT

Dr Archita Mishra is profiling the microbiome of preterm and term babies across populations, focusing on how generational shifts are shaping the microbiomes of future generations.

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Dr Kylie Hunter is harnessing clinical trials and meta-analysis to improve infant care

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 06:06:44 GMT

Dr Kylie Hunter’s career took a few unexpected turns before landing in the world of clinical trials. Today, she’s transforming infant care and uncovering hidden data anomalies with cutting-edge meta-analysis.

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Dr Jenna Smith is exploring how information gaps can lead to risks in cancer screening

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 04:42:12 GMT

Dr Jenna Smith explores the communication older people receive around cancer screening and how it shapes their decisions. Her research reveals a key information gap for older women approaching the upper age limit for screening, and the emotional and practical consequences that follow.

Read Jenna's research paper

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Dr Susan Yuill on HPV vaccination and pregnancy

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:02:14 GMT

Dr Susan Yuill joined the Cancer Council NSW as a systematic reviewer, contributing to the evidence base that supported the transition from two-yearly Pap smears to five-yearly HPV testing. She is now undertaking a PhD focused on HPV vaccination and its impact on pregnancy outcomes. Her research explores the broader benefits of HPV vaccination beyond cancer prevention, including its potential role in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes in Australia. She is also investigating cervical screening participation among women in NSW who give birth and those aged 45 and over. Listen to learn more about this research, and read Dr Yuill’s paper: ⁠The impact of HPV vaccination beyond cancer prevention: effect on pregnancy outcomes⁠.

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Dr Nigel Maher on using AI to diagnose melanoma

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Dr Nigel Maher from Sydney Medical School is using AI related tools to help better diagnose and manage melanocytic tumours. Dr Maher was also the runner up in the 2024 Asia Pacific 3 Minute Thesis competition. Listen to the conversation with Professor Nancy Baxter.

Watch Nigel's 3 Minute Thesis presentation >

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Dr Binh Nguyen on physical activity and women’s health

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 23:49:39 GMT

Dr Binh Nguyen from the School of Public Health is examining the long term patterns of physical activity and how these effect the health of midlife women. Find out more about how quality of life measures a person's perceived well being and functioning, and relates to healthy aging and population health. Listen to the conversation with Professor Nancy Baxter.

Read Binh's publication >

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Dr Pamela Soh on analysing genetics to predict risk of disease

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 02:52:24 GMT

Part of an international team across Southern Africa, Botswana, South Africa and the UK, Dr Pamela Soh is finding out if the risk for prostate cancer is different between European and West African populations. Listen to conversation with Professor Robyn Ward. We're looking forward to our next episode of Research Bytes with our new host, Professor Nancy Baxter, Interim Executive Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health.

Read Pamela's publication >

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Dr James Kang on chronic pain and the brain's response to nerve injury

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:14:08 GMT

Dr James Kang left research at one stage to work at Westpac, but a tap on the shoulder brought him back and he’s now doing some great work on the development of chronic pain and the brain’s response to nerve injury. Listen to conversation with Executive Dean Professor Robyn Ward.

Read his publication here.

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Dr Mouna Sawan on simplifying hospital discharge notes for dementia patients

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:15:04 GMT

Dr Mouna Sawan from Sydney Pharmacy School is helping to streamline the hospital discharge process for patients with dementia. Tune in to her conversation with Executive Dean Professor Robyn Ward AM FAHMS. Read her publication here.

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Dr Melissa Riegel on memory making to assist end of life care in ICU settings

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 23:30:28 GMT

Can we improve how we assist with bereavement in healthcare settings? Sydney Nursing School’s Dr Melissa Riegel, discusses her research on this topic in Intensive Care Units, with Executive Dean Professor Robyn Ward AM FAHMS. Read her publication here.

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Chandana Guha on kidney disease and the impact of lived experience on research

Sun, 08 Sep 2024 23:08:47 GMT

Chandana Guha is a University of Sydney early-career researcher. Her journey into research was inspired by caring for her daughter, who has kidney disease. In this latest episode of Research Bytes she discusses how her personal experience as a caregiver deepened her insight into her field. Read her publication here.

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Dr Qingwei Luo

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:12:43 GMT

Dr Qingwei Luo shares her fascinating statistical modelling of large scale health data, projecting cancer rates in Australia over the next 2 decades. Her findings published in Lancet journal could improve our health system's preventative measures and treatments.

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Dr Tess Reynolds on redesigning CT scanners for use during surgery

Fri, 31 May 2024 00:59:15 GMT

Originally qualified as an astrophysicist, listen to Dr Tess Reynolds' journey to redesigning CT scanners, which will change the way surgeons operate. Literally.

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Dr Katrina Champion on the prevention of chronic disease risk factors in youth

Fri, 03 May 2024 02:55:52 GMT

Dr Katrina Champion's research looks at how early intervention on the 'big 6' lifestyle risk factors could prevent chronic disease later in life.

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Dr Rachel Visontay on long term effects of alcohol use

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:51:11 GMT

Dr Rachel Visontay's recent publication looks at long-term health effects of alcohol use and asks whether a little bit of alcohol could be good for depression.

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Dr Caitlin Jones on opioids for back pain

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 05:36:04 GMT

Dr Caitlin Jones aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of opioids for low back pain, and uncovered some interesting findings in her research. Listen to find out more, you can read her paper here: Opioid analgesia for acute low back pain and neck pain (the OPAL trial): a randomised placebo-controlled trial

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Dr Nick Hunt and developing oral insulin

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 03:16:11 GMT

Dr Nick Hunt and his colleagues from the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health have been using nanotechnology to take us even closer to an oral insulin, negating the need for injections. Listen to hear more about his exciting research and read his paper: Oral nanotherapeutic formulation of insulin with reduced episodes of hypoglycaemia

Access the transcript

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