Formation 1986 | ||
Type Medical research institute Region served Australia, Asia-Pacific Director Professor David A. Cooper AO FAA Affiliations | ||
The Kirby Institute for infection and immunity in society (commonly shortened to the Kirby Institute; formerly the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research) is a medical research organisation affiliated with the University of New South Wales and based in Darlinghurst, New South Wales. Founded in 1986, its initial research focus on HIV/AIDS has expanded over time to include viral hepatitis, blood-borne diseases, and sexually transmitted infections.
Contents
- National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research 19862011
- Kirby Institute 2011present
- A study of the prevention of anal cancer
- References
The institute's current (and inaugural) director is Professor David A. Cooper.
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (1986–2011)
The National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR) was founded in 1986 in response to the emerging HIV/AIDS epidemic in Australia. Start-up funding was provided by the Australian federal government with the goal of reducing the national burden of the epidemic. The centre was later supported by ongoing funding from the federal government, the New South Wales state government and the University of New South Wales, in addition to one-off grants from, among others, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Kirby Institute (2011–present)
In April 2011, on the organisation's 25th anniversary, the NCHECR was renamed the Kirby Institute for infection and immunity in society, with a new focus on behavioural-related infectious diseases affecting "marginalised, disempowered and other communities". The new name was taken in honour of Michael Kirby, a former Justice of the High Court of Australia and an outspoken supporter of human rights, health promotion, and HIV/AIDS research. In 2013, Kirby accepted the role of Patron of the institute.
In 2011 the Kirby Institute employed approximately 200 researchers and is operating clinical trials in more than 20 countries. Outside of Australia, the institute is engaged in disease prevention in countries including Thailand, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Kirby Institute is one of Australia's four national HIV research centres; the others are the Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research, the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), and the National Centre in HIV Social Research.
A study of the prevention of anal cancer
In Australia, the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anal cancer is increasing within the gay community. Professor Andrew Grulich of the Kirby Institute, in association with others, is conducting a longitudinal study of the epidemiology of anal HPV and related abnormalities in a community-based cohort of homosexual men aged 35 and older in Sydney. The study is designed to provide a guide to the possible future introduction of anal cancer screening programs. The study will run from 2010 to 2018.