The Australian Government has allocated $6 million to two Centres of Research Excellence (CREs) led by the University of Sydney. This funding will support research focused on preventing and managing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) as well as enhancing clinical decision-making through artificial intelligence. The funding comes from the National Health and Medical Research Centre’s (NHMRC) 2025 CRE program, which awarded grants to only 24 teams across the country.
Professor Elizabeth Elliott from the Faculty of Medicine and Health will spearhead the Centre of Research Excellence in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD-CRE). Meanwhile, Professor Melissa Baysari, also from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, will lead the Centre of Research Excellence in Human Factors and AI-enabled Clinical Decision Support.
Impact of the Research Initiatives
The funding announcement was welcomed by Professor Julie Cairney, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney. She expressed gratitude for the government’s support, emphasizing the competitiveness of the CRE scheme. “It’s fantastic to see two Sydney-led projects receive support to build capacity in areas promising significant positive impact on our health system,” she stated.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a serious condition that arises from prenatal alcohol exposure, leading to lifelong challenges in learning, behavior, and development. “Research indicates that one child in every Australian classroom is affected by FASD,” said Professor Elliott. Her team is committed to advancing diagnostic and treatment innovations while addressing the burden of the disorder.
The CRE will collaborate with esteemed institutions, including Deakin University, Menzies School of Health Research, Burnet Institute, and the University of Newcastle. The collective expertise aims to enhance understanding and prevention of FASD.
Advancements in AI in Healthcare
The second CRE, directed by Professor Baysari, focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence in clinical decision support systems. As AI technology continues to evolve, its potential to revolutionize healthcare is becoming increasingly recognized. “AI presents enormous opportunities to enhance clinical decision-making processes and patient outcomes,” she remarked.
The CRE in Human Factors and AI-enabled Clinical Decision Support (CDS) aims to radically transform the design, implementation, and evaluation of CDS systems. The multidisciplinary team will ensure that these systems are tailored to the needs and capabilities of users, maximizing benefits while mitigating risks associated with AI.
Professor Baysari highlighted the importance of a systems thinking approach, which will involve collaboration with experts in Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE), CDS, and AI. This initiative seeks to align AI advancements with ethical considerations and evidence-based practices, ensuring that improvements in healthcare are both effective and responsible.
The establishment of these two Centres of Research Excellence underscores the commitment of the University of Sydney and its partners to tackling pressing health challenges through innovative research. As FASD and the integration of AI in healthcare remain critical areas of focus, the outcomes from these projects are expected to significantly influence health policy and practice in Australia and beyond.
