About

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WEHI is where the world’s brightest minds collaborate and innovate to make discoveries that will help us to live healthier for longer.

We bring together people with different skills and experience who are committed to long-term discovery. Our medical researchers have been serving the community for more than 100 years. We know that we can achieve better things bringing together diverse teams who work together for 10, 20 or even 50 years to tackle the big issues.

We are brighter because of our collaborations with hospitals, universities, research institutes and industry, and the support of our community, including philanthropists, donors and bequestors, alumni and consumers.

WEHI is a place where people are able to shine. People who are inquisitive, who are committed, who are passionate. People who want to make a difference. And we are committed to ensuring they have the tools to flourish, personally and professionally.

Our research

Our teams of researchers are committed to solving the most complex health problems, making transformative discoveries for cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders and healthy ageing.

Cancer – understanding the basic processes that are disrupted to generate cancer cells, and how these can be targeted to treat disease

Immune health and infection – discovering how the body fights infection, and how errors in the immune system lead to disease

Development and healthy ageing – studying how the biological foundations laid down during gestation and childhood affect development, and how our longer life expectancy presents new challenges for our ageing population

New medicines and advanced technologies – a powerful hub for cutting-edge technologies underpinning biomedical discoveries and for the translation of these discoveries into new medicines and diagnostics.

Computational biology – developing and applying new tools to analyse the genomes of disease-causing parasites, as well as better understanding the immune system and genetic drivers of cancer.

Our students

WEHI offers postgraduate training as the Department of Medical Biology of The University of Melbourne, and is affiliated with the University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Mission

Mastery of disease through discovery. 

Vision

To be an innovative medical research institute that engages and enriches society and improves health outcomes through discovery, translation and education.

Values

  • Pursuit of excellence
  • Integrity and mutual respect
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Creativity
  • Accountability
  • Contribution to society
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Find out about our latest research outcomes and scientific achievements.

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The Nature Index placed the Institute as the top-ranked Australian medical research institute, and 19th amongst not-for-profit/non-governmental organisations worldwide.

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Meet the superstars of science and the talented young sparks of the future.

Hear from the patients whose lives have been changed by new discoveries and find out how investing in WEHI’s brightest minds will help solve our most complex medical challenges.

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Keep in contact and share reminiscences with fellow alumni