Higher Degree Research Opportunities
Select a research stream below to view the current higher degree research opportunities and projects on offer at NICM Health Research Institute.
To register your interest in a project, please contact the lead supervisor. For information about applying for higher degree research and scholarships, please contact the Graduate Research School.(opens in a new window)
Healthy Women
The women's health program at NICM HRI covers menstrual health of young women, pregnancy, infertility, menopause and gynaecological disorders.
Project Title | Aim/s | Supervisor/s | Course/s |
---|---|---|---|
Developing, implementing and evaluating a model of care for integrative women's health in an academic clinic |
| PhD | |
Acupuncture for weight loss in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a Delphi study |
| PhD | |
Development of an integrative healthy women program in the areas of menopause, menstrual disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), weight, fertility, pregnancy |
| PhD | |
Acupuncture for weight loss in PCOS |
| PhD | |
Acupuncture for pelvic pain in pregnancy: variety of projects including group acupuncture programs |
| PhD | |
Mind-body therapies for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) |
| PhD | |
Mindfulness for weight gain prevention in pregnancy |
| PhD | |
Collaborative models of integrative healthcare in pregnancy (with midwifery) |
| PhD | |
What do clinical guidelines say about complementary medicine use in women’s health? |
| PhD | |
Mindfulness-based interventions for women’s reproductive health |
| PhD |
Healthy Minds
The neurological and mental health program at NICM HRI focuses on the prevention and treatment of dementia and neurocognitive decline and improvement of mental health in response to integrative medicine treatment.
Project Title | Aim/s | Supervisor/s | Course/s |
---|---|---|---|
Australian bush medicines as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease |
| Professor Gerald Muench Dr Ritesh Raju | PhD |
Electrophysiological biomarkers of early-stage Alzheimer's disease |
Applicants with a background in neuroscience, anatomy and physiology, medical science, or computer science would have a distinct advantage. | Associate Professor Genevieve Steiner | PhD |
Does natural therapy help with insomnia and sleep issues? A mechanistic study of a multi-compound formulation for insomnia by regulating related neurotransmitters |
| Dr Xian (Phoebe) Zhou | PhD MPhil MRes |
How does neuroplasticity change with age? |
| Associate Professor Genevieve Steiner | PhD |
Electrophysiological correlates of decision-making strategies in older adults |
| Associate Professor Genevieve Steiner Associate Professor Phoebe Bailey | PhD |
Healthy Lives Through The Cancer Journey
The cancer care program at NICM HRI focuses on understanding how integrative medicine may assist with cancer management and side effects of conventional cancer treatment.
Project Title | Aim/s | Supervisor/s | Course/s |
---|---|---|---|
Weight after breast cancer |
| PhD | |
Acupuncture for pain and symptom management in an inpatient setting in a cancer hospital |
This study could be undertaken in two parts or as a larger piece of work. | PhD | |
Micronutrient deficiencies and Cancer |
| PhD | |
Acupuncture protocols for cancer-related symptoms |
| PhD | |
Lymphoedema (LE) screening in women with breast cancer at a major cancer hospital |
The candidate will work with the clinicians and research team within the integrative oncology and supportive care department at the hospital. | PhD | |
Integrative healthcare: evidence based clinical pathways |
| PhD | |
An online portal for a cancer rehabilitation program |
The project would suit a student who is interested in cancer rehabilitation and the interface of technology and health care. | PhD | |
Healthcare professionals (HCP) attitudes to complementary medicine |
| PhD | |
Development of an evidence-based matrix of non-pharmacological complementary therapies to treat cancer-related signs and symptoms |
This may be a single project for a single therapy such as mindfulness or acupuncture. | PhD | |
Shared medical appointments for cancer survivors |
| PhD | |
Digitally enabled health program for cancer survivors |
| PhD | |
The establishment of an patient registry for an Integrative healthcare centre |
| PhD |
Healthy Hearts
The cardiovascular and metabolic health program at NICM HRI focuses on understanding how integrative medicine can assist with the prevention and treatment of various cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Project Title | Aim/s | Supervisor/s | Course/s |
---|---|---|---|
A pilot randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial to evaluate the effects of Nao Xin Qing (NXQ) for ischemic stroke |
| PhD | |
Association between vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids with cognition assessed by a computerised battery |
| Professor Dennis Chang Associate Professor Genevieve Steiner Dr Anjalee Amarasekera | PhD |
Effects and mechanism of action of natural products in vascular calcification |
| PhD | |
Effects and mechanism of actions of herbal medicines in neurovascular unit (NVU) |
| PhD | |
Effects and mechanism of actions of herbal medicines in vascular reactivity |
| PhD | |
Effects of prebiotics on gut microbiota in metabolic syndrome |
| Professor Dennis Chang Dr Srinivas Nammi Adjunct Professor Mohammad Tariq | PhD |
Leaf extract versus olive oil supplementation on biomarkers associated with cardiometabolic risk and glycaemic control and serum antioxidant levels |
| Professor Dennis Chang | PhD |
Neuroprotective and angiogenic effects of herbal medicine in zebrafish |
| PhD | |
Nutrient supplementation and complementary medicine use in people with type 2 diabetes |
| PhD | |
Complementary therapies for weight management |
| PhD | |
Mind body therapies for managing cardiovascular risk factors (weight, diabetes, hypertension) |
| PhD | |
Development of a healthy hearts program incorporating complementary/integrative therapies and preventive/lifestyle |
| PhD | |
High-order synergy prediction of multi-compound combinations against acute inflammation |
| Dr Xian (Phoebe) Zhou | MPhil |
Combined effects of natural compounds on endothelium function against oxidative stress |
| Dr Xian (Phoebe) Zhou | PhD |
Policy and Evidence Translation
Project Title | Aim/s | Supervisor/s | Course/s |
---|---|---|---|
Evaluation of the NICM Health Research Institute Western Sydney Integrative Health (WSIH) model of care: Patient Reported Outcome Measures |
| PhD | |
Evaluation of the NICM Health Research Institute Western Sydney Integrative Health (WSIH) model of care: Stakeholder perspectives |
| PhD | |
NICM Health Research Institute Western Sydney Integrative Health (WSIH) patient engagement strategies |
| PhD | |
Evaluation of patient-centredness in the NICM Health Research Institute Western Sydney Integrative Health (WSIH) |
| PhD | |
Evaluation of teamwork in the NICM Health Research Institute Western Sydney Integrative Health (WSIH) model of care |
| PhD | |
Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of integrative therapies in the NICM Health Research Institute Western Sydney Integrative Health (WSIH) |
| PhD | |
Implementing active surveillance of adverse events from natural supplements / Chinese herbal medicine (collaboration with SONAR) |
| PhD | |
Evaluation of NICM Health Research Institute Western Sydney Integrative Health (WSIH) model of care and safety |
| PhD | |
Improvement of health literacy |
| PhD | |
Integrative medicine for the underserved |
| PhD | |
Evidence-based practice: Creating and Using evidence summaries in integrative healthcare |
| PhD | |
Shared medical appointments (SMAs) and complementary therapies: scoping and program development |
| PhD | |
The patient experience at NICM Health Research Institute Western Sydney Integrative Health (WSIH): Who comes, who stays, who goes and why? |
| PhD | |
Why do medical doctors train as yoga teachers? A qualitative study |
| PhD |
Other emerging areas of complementary medicine research
Project Title | Aim/s | Supervisor/s | Course/s |
---|---|---|---|
Shared medical appointment (SMAs) model of care for chronic pain |
| PhD | |
Complementary and integrative therapies for chronic pain amongst Veterans |
| PhD |