Northern Community Health & Research Foundation

07/07/2026

When NCHRF invests in research and community projects through our grant programs, we know we are investing in the future. Never has that investment been more important than now, as communities everywhere, and particularly in northern Adelaide, are facing complex health challenges.

NCHRF recently hosted an expert roundtable with leaders in health and medical research, educators and representatives of South Australian health agencies and councils. This group met with Professor Rafael Perera-Salazar, Director of Medical Statistics in Primary Care, University of Oxford to discuss emerging insights and trends in management of multimorbidities.

The objective of this meeting was to bring together experts to learn more about the trends and insights emerging from the data and to discuss the trends in management of multimorbidities in the Australian context. Professor Perera-Salazar was the NCHRF Visiting Professor in 2024 and this visit progresses discussions and collaborations established at that time.

This event happened to be scheduled exactly one year to the day since our highly successful Research Impact event in 2025. Between May 2025 and 2026, NCHRF has supported and progressed more projects and programs. Stay up to date with our activities, grant opportunities and research projects by signing up for our news at https://www.nchrf.com.au/newsletter

Read more https://www.nchrf.com.au/post/connection-and-collaboration-to-progress-research-outcomes-for-adelaide-s-north

29/05/2026

World leader in dental public health and humanitarian action, Professor Emilio is the NCHRF 2026 Visiting Professor.

An outstanding global figure in social justice, dental public health and humanitarian action, Professor Nuzzolesse is responsible for the Human Identification and Forensic Odontology Research Laboratory at the University of Turin, which provides forensic odontology services on a pro bono basis, both onsite and remotely.

His visit to Adelaide will include discussions with medical and health researchers, practitioners and students as well as public events as part of the Foundation’s inaugural NCHRF Research Week in September 2026.

Professor Nuzzolese’s laboratory operates at the intersection of scientific research, humanitarian practice, and human rights protection, contributing to the identification of vulnerable individuals and the advancement of applied forensic science in service of society. While in Adelaide, he will participate in a panel discussing AI and its potential role in forensic odontology in case work methods, in addition to a busy program with students, health and medical researchers and practitioners designed to share insights from the latest research in his field.

Read about NCHRF Research Week here. https://www.nchrf.com.au/post/world-leader-in-dental-public-health-and-humanitarian-action-to-visit-adelaide-in-nchrf-research-wee

Nino Di Sisto, Geoffrey Bell, Gregory Crawford AM, Dr Suren Krishnan, Kathryn Eaton, Emma Parkinson-Lawrence, David Meyer, Adelaide Boylan, Maria De Conno, Cathy Baker, Ben Goldsmith
Denice Higgins
John Berketa

The Northern Community Health & Research Foundation is delighted to welcome Professor Emilio Nuzzolese to Adelaide in September as our 2026 Visiting Professor.An outstanding global figure in social justice, dental public health and humanitarian action, Professor Nuzzolesse is responsible for the Hum...

21/05/2026

Congratulations to the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, City of Prospect and Town of Walkerville on their nomination as a finalist in the Cross Council Collaboration category for the 2026 Local Government Professionals Leadership Excellence Awards. They have been recognised for their work on the NCHRF- funded project Prescriptions for Connection: A Social Prescribing Approach for Healthy Aging. This study is evaluating the feasibility of a social prescribing program in improving quality of life, wellbeing and loneliness in older people in primary care and Council settings.

These awards recognise outstanding achievement and innovation in local government and this project exemplifies both innovation at the local government level and NCHRF's own commitment to achieving far-reaching positive health impacts for local communities. Award winners will be announced tomorrow night, 22 May.

Read more about the Social Prescribing project here https://www.nchrf.com.au/post/project-update-prescriptions-for-connection-a-social-prescribing-approach-for-healthy-aging

LG Professionals SA
Flinders University
Stacey George

City of Port Adelaide Enfield , City of Prospect , Town of Walkerville

Nino Di Sisto, Geoffrey Bell, Gregory Crawford AM, Dr Suren Krishnan, Kathryn Eaton, Emma Parkinson-Lawrence, David Meyer, Adelaide Boylan, Maria De Conno, Cathy Baker, Ben Goldsmith

19/05/2026

Save the date: NCHRF Research Week is coming in September!

We are proud to announce our inaugural NCHRF Research Week, 21 September 22 - 1 October 2026.

NCHRF Research Week will showcase groundbreaking research and community projects supported by the Foundation and offer opportunities for health professionals to learn from world leaders in health and medical research.

A highlight of the NCHRF Research Week program will be the visit by 2026 Visiting Professor, global expert in dental public health and humanitarian action, Professor Emilio Nuzzolese.

Professor Nuzzolese is the co-founder of Solidarity Dentistry for Infants and Handicapped and founder and President of the Association for Forensic Odontology and Human Rights. His work is known around the world through his leading role at the Human Identification and Forensic Odontology Research Laboratory at the University of Turin, which provides forensic odontology services on a pro bono basis, both onsite and remotely.

The Foundation will also present a series of research project updates including for the groundbreaking Prescriptions for Connection: A Social Prescribing Approach for Healthy Ageing project currently underway.

Throughout the week, the Foundation will put the spotlight on projects embodying our hopes for better health outcomes in Adelaide’s northern communities in the future.

Coinciding with NCHRF Research Week will be a special fundraising campaign, through which NCHRF will match donations received to deliver greater support for flagship projects and programs.

Sign up to receive Research Week updates https://www.nchrf.com.au/newsletter
Read more https://www.nchrf.com.au/post/announcing-nchrf-research-week

Nino Di Sisto, Geoffrey Bell, Gregory Crawford AM, Dr Suren Krishnan, Kathryn Eaton, Emma Parkinson-Lawrence, David Meyer, Adelaide Boylan, Maria De Conno, Cathy Baker, Ben Goldsmith

14/04/2026

Calling early career researchers!

There is still time to apply for the 2026 Derek Frewin Early Career Researcher Award, made possible by NCHRF to support early career researchers in medical and health sciences.

We are seeking applications for research projects and community engagement activities. This award can open important doors for early career researchers, enabling them to secure further research funding and to amplify the impact of their research in both academic fields and general practice.

Applications close 5.00pm on 17 April.

Find out more and apply at https://www.nchrf.com.au/post/2026-early-career-researcher-award-applications-now-open

Nino Di Sisto, Geoffrey Bell, Gregory Crawford AM, Dr Suren Krishnan, Kathryn Eaton, Emma Parkinson-Lawrence, David Meyer, Adelaide Boylan, Maria De Conno, Cathy Baker, Ben Goldsmith
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23/03/2026

Social connectedness is key to improved physical and mental health in the community. Research shows that isolation and loneliness amongst older adults are major contributors to increasing demand on health professionals and are significant contributing factors to ill-health.

The Chatty Cafe Walkerville provides a welcoming space where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together for conversation and connection each month. Northern Community Health & Research Foundation Chair Nino Di Sisto was delighted to join participants at the Town of Walkerville’s Chatty Cafe recently to mark NCHRF’s funding support through our community capacity building grants. This support will enable the program to be delivered at more sites, extending capacity for residents to connect with each other and participate in the program.

The Cafe is an initiative of the Walkerville Community Committee, a group of local residents and Town of Walkerville councillors who work together to provide low-cost events for the community, funded through grassroots fundraising at local events.

Read more at https://www.nchrf.com.au/post/welcoming-connection-to-increase-community-wellbeing-in-walkerville

Nino Di Sisto, Geoffrey Bell, Gregory Crawford AM, Dr Suren Krishnan Kathryn Eaton, Emma Parkinson-Lawrence, David Meyer, Adelaide Boylan, Maria De Conno, Cathy Baker, Ben Goldsmith

18/03/2026

Applications are now open for the Derek Frewin Early Career Researcher Award, presented by the Northern Community Health & Research Foundation. The Foundation is seeking applications for research projects and community engagement activities, which can include projects over one or two-year periods. Consideration is given to research rigor and potential for the project to lead to further funding opportunities. This year, NCHRF are particularly encouraging applications for projects connected to wellness and ageing.​
The award is named in honour of Emeritus Professor Derek Frewin AO in honour of his unfailing dedication to mentoring and inspiring students for more than 60 years. He is pictured here with 2026 award recipient, Dr Sonia Nath.

NCHRF’s support through this award has enabled past recipients to further their research and secure additional research funding, along with extending the impact of their research in the academic sector and the community.
Past recipients have included Associate Professor Rajiv Mahajan, Associate Professor Tongzhi Wu, Dr Sebastian O Sterling, Dr Vasilios (Bill) Panagopoulos, Dr Ashleigh Hull, Dr Jessica Stanhope, Dr Patrick Asare and Dr Sonia Nath.

Research topics previously supported through the Derek Frewin Early Career Researcher Award has ranged from brain and gut health, treatments for auto-immune diseases and improving therapeutic outcomes for patients with prostate and other cancers, to radiopharmaceuticals, the role of micronutrient-microbiome interactions in respiratory disease, the impact of green space on management of chronic pain and arthritis, and oral health care.

Applications close 17 April 2026. Read more at https://www.nchrf.com.au/post/2026-early-career-researcher-award-applications-now-open

Nino Di Sisto, Geoffrey Bell, Gregory Crawford AM, Dr Suren Krishnan, Kathryn Eaton, Emma Parkinson-Lawrence, David Meyer, Adelaide Boylan, Maria De Conno, Cathy Baker & Ben Goldsmith

25/02/2026

The Northern Community Health & Research Foundation is funding an exciting project to determine if a relatively simple mobile test, performed virtually at the bed side using an instrument not dissimilar to machines used to measure blood sugar levels, can determine whether there is a need for antivenom treatment.

This project, entitled Evaluation of the Analytical Performance of the Point-of-Care qLabs FIB Analyser Against the Gold-Standard Clauss Assay for Early Detection of Venom Induced Coagulopathy, will evaluate a new test which could give doctors more certainty about who needs treatment, reducing the number of people who may be exposed to anti-venom therapy with potentially serious and even life-threatening side effects. It will also enable earlier administration of antivenom, leading to improved health outcomes.

Read more at https://www.nchrf.com.au/post/greater-certainty-and-faster-treatment-for-snake-bite

New test to determine need for anti-venom treatmentThe Northern Community Health & Research Foundation is funding an exciting project to determine if a relatively simple mobile test, performed virtually at the bed side using an instrument not dissimilar to machines used to measure blood sugar levels...

27/01/2026

The Northern Communities Health and Research Foundation is proud to introduce the School to Scholar program, launching in 2026. This initiative connects secondary students from Adelaide’s northern suburbs with senior medical student mentors from the Northern Scholars program, providing guidance, support, and inspiration for those aspiring to a career in medicine.

The program addresses barriers many young people face, including being first in their family to attend university and having limited access to medical role models. Through one-on-one mentoring, interactive workshops, and community activities, students gain practical insight into medical careers while senior medical students develop leadership, teaching, and community engagement skills.

Jointly led by Adelaide University and the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, School to Scholar reflects NCHRF’s ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes in northern communities and fostering the next generation of health professionals.

Aaron Boyce
Nino Di Sisto, Geoffrey Bell, Gregory Crawford AM, Dr Suren Krishnan, Kathryn Eaton, Emma Parkinson-Lawrence, David Meyer, Adelaide Boylan, Maria De Conno, Cathy Baker & Ben Goldsmith

08/12/2025

Northern Community Health and Research Foundation Chair Nino Di Sisto has released the 2024-2025 Impact Report.

Highlights for the year include steady progress in the Prescriptions for Connection: A Social Prescribing Approach for Healthy Ageing project and a highly successful Visiting Professorship for renowned pain researcher Associate Professor Peter Grace, the Foundation has continued to seek out and support initiatives and projects aiming to foster better health outcomes in the northern communities of Adelaide.

The Prescriptions for Connection project aims to develop scalable initiatives to assist in the reduction of reliance on health services to mitigate the effects of social isolation and loneliness, which currently contribute to around 20% of GP consultations. In another area of research, NCHRF supported a study into advance care planning with vulnerable populations.

Six previous recipients of the Derek Frewin Award for Early Career Researchers spoke at a special event this year which focused on the impact of this award on the recipients’ careers and research projects.

Practical support for researchers was also a key benefit of Associate Professor Grace’s Visiting Professorship, at which he generously shared his insights into building professional research networks as well as sharing the latest research findings into neuroimmunology and pain management from his team at the Department of Symptom Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Care Centre.

This year, the Foundation continued to provide awards to winners of the Three-Minute Thesis and 2025 Florey Postgraduate Award, and to support community-focused initiatives such as community wellbeing programs.

Read the full Impact Report 2024-2025 here https://www.nchrf.com.au/post/wrapping-up-2025-with-impact

Nino Di Sisto Geoffrey Bell Gregory Crawford AM Dr Suren Krishnan Kathryn Eaton Emma Parkinson-Lawrence David Meyer Adelaide Boylan Maria De Conno Cathy Baker