Higher Degree Research Opportunities
Select a research stream below to view the current 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)
For any other queries, please contact Professor Jerome Sarris, NICM Deputy Director and Director of Research.
Healthy Women
The women's health program at NICM covers menstrual health of young women, pregnancy, infertility, menopause and gynaecological disorders.
| Project Title | Aim/s | Supervisor/s |
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| Acupuncture for weight loss in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a systematic review and qualitative study |
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| The role of acupuncture with achieving weight loss prior to gynaecology surgery |
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| Development of a treatment protocol for pre birth treatment |
| Professor Caroline Smith |
| Complementary therapies to assist with anxiety disorders in young women |
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| Provision of health information to women on CM |
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| Developing, implementing and evaluating a model of care for integrative women's health in an academic clinic |
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| Developing, implementing and evaluating a model of care for integrative women's health in an academic clinic |
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| The impact of the menstrual cycle on professional and semi-professional female athletes: a mixed methods study |
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| Barriers to healthcare in women with chronic pelvic pain |
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Healthy Minds
The neurological and mental health program at NICM 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation of tight junction proteins claudin and occludin by herbal medicine in endothelial cells | This in vitro study will assess the action of herbal medicine on the expression of tight junction protein critical to the blood brain barrier function. | |
| Functional connectivity in older adults | Neuroplasticity is thought to be one of the mechanisms behind cognitive reserve – the reason why cognition declines in some people and not others as we age. This project will identify neuroplastic mechanisms by exploring how task and resting-state brain networks change with age. | Dr Genevieve Steiner Dr Siobhan Schabrum |
| Electrophysiological correlates of decision-making strategies in older adults | Older adults tend to use strategies that emphasise task accuracy over speed, where young adults, typically do the reverse, emphasising speed over accuracy. There are distinct changes in brain function with age, but it is unknown whether any of these changes are actually due to the task strategy, rather than age-related pathology. This project will explore this important question by assessing differences in the brain function that underpins decision-making strategies in young and older adults. | Dr Genevieve Steiner Dr Phoebe Bailey |
| Complementary medicine use by people living with dementia | When conventional therapies are limited people living with chronic diseases such as dementia use a wide range of complementary medicines. The aim of this project is to assess the global prevalence of complementary medicine use by people living with dementia. | |
| Electrophysiological biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease | This project will triangulate data from a range of sources in order to identify novel, inexpensive, yet widely available biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. Applicants with a background in neuroscience, anatomy and physiology, medical science, or computer science would have a distinct advantage. | |
| Using plasma concentrations of a standardised multi-herb formula to assess trial medication compliance | Assessing drug plasma concentrations provides an objective measure of compliance in clinical trials. This pharmacokinetic project will assess the plasma concentrations of a multi-herb formula in samples collected from people with mild cognitive impairment participating in a clinical trial. | |
| A multimodal mind-body exercise program for people living with dementia and their carers: The Tai Chi Challenge | Dementia is the leading cause of disability in older adults, and second leading cause of death in Australia – currently there is no cure. Non-pharmacological therapies that may slow disease progression offer the greatest chance of reducing disease burden. Tai Chi is a multimodal mind-body exercise that has been shown to improve cognition, physical function, activities of daily living, and reduce falls in older adults at risk of cognitive decline, and may be beneficial for people with dementia. This Australia-first project will assess the feasibility and efficacy of a Tai Chi program designed specifically for people with dementia and their carers. | Dr Genevieve Steiner |
Healthy Lives Through The Cancer Journey
The cancer care program at NICM focuses on understanding how integrative medicine may assist with cancer management and side effects of conventional cancer treatment.
| Project Title | Aim/s | Supervisor/s |
|---|---|---|
| The role of acupuncture and complementary therapies in weight loss in breast cancer survivors |
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| Anticancer actions of Chinese herbal medicines | This project will investigate the anticancer actions of Chinese herbal medicines in vitro and in vivo. | Associate Professor Chun Guang Li |
| Chinese herbal medicine for hot flushes in breast cancer survivors: A randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over, multi-central clinical trial | This project explores evidence of effectiveness and safety in the area. | Associate Professor Xiaoshu Zhu Professor Alan Bensoussan Professor Paul de Souza |
| Chinese herbal medicine for chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy: A randomised, placebo-controlled, multi-central clinical trial | This project explores evidence of effectiveness and safety in the area. | Associate Professor Xiaoshu Zhu Professor Alan Bensoussan Professor Caroline Smith Professor Paul de Souza |
Healthy Hearts
The cardiovascular and metabolic health program at NICM 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotective and angiogenic effects of herbal medicine in zebrafish | This project will assess the neuroprotective and angiogenic effects of herbal medicine and its key bioactive components using the zebrafish model. | |
| A pilot randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial to evaluate the effects of NXQ for ischemic stroke | There is a lack of pharmaceutic options for ischemic stroke. This pilot trial aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of NXQ in patients with ischemic stroke during the rehabilitation period. | Professor Dennis Chang Professor Alan Bensoussan Professor Hosen Kiat |
| In vitro activity of a standardise herbal formula Nao Xin Qing (NXQ) for the treatment of stroke |
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| Effectiveness and safety of a standardised herbal formulation on diabetic kidney disease | Diabetic nephropathy is one of the common causes of renal failure. This clinical study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a standardised herbal formula in patient with diabetic nephropathy. | |
| Leaf extract versus olive oil supplementation on biomarkers associated with cardiometabolic risk and glycaemic control and serum antioxidant levels | This clinical study will investigate the effect of supplementation of Olive leaf extract versus Oilve oil on metabolic risk factors BP, BSL, HBA1c, LDL-, HDL & T-cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting insulin and insulin growth factors, inflammatory markers, and glutathione peroxidase and various extracellular antioxidant proteins. | |
| Association between vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids with cognition assessed by a computerised battery | To determine the association between vitamin D and omega-3 status and cognition as assessed by a computerised battery and EEG testing. Serum vitamin D and fatty acid status will be measured and vitamin D and omega-3 intake from foods will be assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire. | |
| Nutrient supplementation and complementary medicine use in people with type II diabetes | This project will assess the use of nutritional supplements and complementary medicine practices by people living with type II diabetes. | |
| Discovery of new therapeutic agents from natural products and their derivatives | This projects will study the synthesis and bioactivity of analogs of active natural compounds for various medical applications. | Associate Professor Chun Guang Li Dr Feng Li Associate Professor Mourad Tayebi |
| Molecular mechisms of insulin resistance | This project will study the molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance, using new and advanced techniques. | Associate Professor Chun Guang Li Dr Sai Wang Setos.seto@westernsydney.edu.au Associate Professor Mourad Tayebi |
| Exercise and ageing health | This project will study the effects of individualised exercise programs on ageing health, involving smart devices and big data analysis. | |
| Synergy of food ingredients and herbal medicines | This project will study the mechanisms of synergy of selected food ingredients and herbal medicines. | Associate Professor Chun Guang Li Dr Phoebe Zhou |
| Bioactivity of Australian propolis | This project will study the chemical property and bioactivity of Australian propolis. | Associate Professor Chun Guang Li Dr George Li |
| Effects and mechanism of actions of herbal medicines in vascular reactivity | This project will investigate the vascular effects of Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of hypertension, stroke and/or diabetes-related vascular complications using both ex vivo and in vivo models. | Dr Sai Wang Seto Professor Dennis Chang Professor Hosen Kiat |
| Effects and mechanism of action of natural products in vascular calcification | This project will examine the effects of natural products for the management of vascular calcification, a major characteristic of atherosclerosis. Both in vitro and in vivo models of vascular calcification will be used in this project. | Dr Sai Wang Seto Professor Dennis Chang |
| Role of autophagy in atherosclerosis | This project aims to elucidate the role of autophagy in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Both cell and rodent based model as well as state-of-the-art gene editing technique will be employed in this study. | Dr Sai Wang Seto Associate Professor Chun Guang Li |
| Multi-omics study of the effects of herbal medicine in zebrafish model of chronic ischemia | This project will evaluate the neuro- and cardio- protective effects of herbal medicine using 'omics' approach. | Dr Sai Wang Seto |
| Effects and mechanism of actions of herbal medicines in neurovascular unit (NVU) | This study aims to develop novel herbal formula for the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The effects and mechanisms of action of herbal preparations will be assessed using a co-culture model of neurovascular unit. |
Policy and Evidence Translation
The integrative medicine policy and evidence translation at NICM focuses on working with government to build appropriate policy frameworks and improving integrative healthcare practice by translating high-quality research into relevant guidleines and practice protocols.
- There are no projects currently on offer for this stream.
Other emerging areas of complementary medicine research
| Project Title | Aim/s | Supervisor/s |
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| Anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and neuromodulatory effects of Australian Bush Medicines | This project will assess a range of Australian Bush Medicines and their potential to treat inflammatory-driven illnesses. This project will aim to explain the therapeutic effects attirbuted to Bush Medicines by investigating the biomolecular mechanisms and idetifying the chemistry responsible. | |
| Discovery of new therapeutic agents from Danshen | The project will study the pharmacological actions of bioactive compounds of Danshen and their derivatives. | Associate Professor Chun Guang Li |
| Anticancer actions of Chinese herbal medicines | The project will investigate the anticancer actions of Chinese herbal medicines in vitro and in vivo. | Associate Professor Chun Guang Li Associate Professor Qihan Dong |
