For close to 50 years, WIRF has been driving groundbreaking research and transformative programs that save lives and improve health outcomes for women, babies, and families. Our legacy is built on innovative research, meaningful partnerships, and real-world impact.
8%
reduction in the rate of preterm birth due to the WA Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative (2015 vs 2023)
70+
Researchers, volunteers and
support staff working with us
500+
research projects completed
$70M+
in world-class research funded
Our journey of breakthroughs
For nearly 50 years, the Women and Infants Research Foundation has conducted and supported research to improve the health of women, babies and families.
Explore the milestones that have shaped health outcomes across Australia and beyond.
WIRF officially opens its doors.
The Women and Infants Research Foundation (formerly the King Edward Memorial Hospital Research Foundation) officially opens its doors.
A brave new venture.
The new cooperative would appoint Governor of WA, Air Chief Marshall Sir Wallace Hart Kyle as its first patron with early focus on the development of a generation of future researchers.
Perinatal sheep program begins.
Perinatal sheep program is launched in Perth which uses sheep as a model of human pregnancy and the newborn. Many important discoveries have come from these studies.
Raine Study commences.
The Western Australian Pregnancy (Raine) Cohort Study, one of the world’s largest and most successful longitudinal pregnancy cohorts, commences with the recruitment of 2900 pregnant women.
Inaugural Executive Director appointed.
Professor John Newnham is appointed as the Foundation’s Inaugural Executive Director.
WIRF partners with DOHaD.
WIRF becomes the official partner of the International DOHaD Society in holding the 5th World Congress.
Blood test to identify women at risk of preterm birth.
A research consortium involving WIRF researchers develop a blood test that can indicate if a woman showing early signs of labour will go on to deliver her baby prematurely.
Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative unveiled.
On World Prematurity Day 2014, WIRF launches the world-unique Western Australian Preterm Birth Initiative which has the sole aim of safely lowering the rate of early birth, saving lives and preventing disability.
Discovery of new drug to prevent preterm birth.
New antibiotic drug, Solithromycin is found to dramatically reduce the number of babies born preterm.
Inaugural Banquet for Babies.
The inaugural Banquet for Babies is held at Frasers State Reception Centre and attended by more than 180 people from the health and business community.
Research achieves 8% reduction in rate of preterm birth.
Findings from the first year of the preterm birth prevention initiative reveal an 8% reduction (200 fewer) in the rate of preterm birth across WA from 2013-15.
Cycle study recognised as a Report of Major Impact.
A research collaboration involving several WA researchers is recognised as a ‘Report of Major Impact’, by the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Preterm initiative recognised as a Report of Major Impact.
The WA Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative is recognised as a ‘Report of Major Impact’, by the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Artificial womb raises hope for premature babies.
A collaborative WIRF research project has successfully used artificial womb to successfully incubate healthy baby lambs for a period of one week.
Landmark WA cancer gene hunt launched.
A world-first program which will retrospectively study women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, TRACEBACK, is launched and includes key investigators from WIRF.
Study optimises steroid use in pregnancy.
A new WIRF study reveals it is possible to achieve maturation of the preterm lung equivalent to that given by current treatments using approximately 70% less drug, and with it, adverse effects to both mother and child.
Stan Perron funding enables new ear for WIRF.
Substantial funding over a 4 year period provided by the Stan Perron Charitable Trust is set to greatly improve the outlook for women and infants across the country and includes the establishment of a new Fellowship in honour of the late Mr Stan Perron AM.
A national approach to preventing preterm birth.
The Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance is unveiled by the WA Health Minister, Roger Cook, and adopts the key practice points of WIRF’s Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative.
The importance of Women’s Mental Health.
WIRF unveils its newest area of research focus – Women’s Mental Health – to be spearheaded by leading Perinatal Psychiatrist, Professor Megan Galbally.
WIRF takes the national media stage.
A new WIRF study examining the link between a woman’s bacterial signature and preterm birth is featured on Seven’s Sunrise as a major medical breakthrough in preterm birth prevention and attracts national media attention.
WA gathers for WIRF Spring Gala 2018.
More than 310 people attended the 2018 WIRF Spring Gala-Banquet for Babies held at Fraser’s State Reception Centre, raising an astounding $139,000 for women’s and infants’ health.
Artificial womb program achieves top rating.
A WIRF program which proposes an artificial womb as a pioneering medical intervention to save extremely premature babies, has done what few other projects ever have; achieving a perfect score by the key driver of health and medical research in Australia, NHMRC.
Artificial womb breaks its 4 minute mile.
A major advancement in pioneering technology based around the use of an artificial womb to save extremely premature babies is hailed as a medical and biotechnological breakthrough and a significant milestone in the future clinical application of this technology.
2019 Spring Gala stuns and inspires.
An incredible line up of guests descended onto Fraser’s State Reception Centre for the 2019 WIRF Spring Gala at which an astounding $182,000 was raised to support the Foundation’s critical work.
Steroid study reveals breakthrough finding.
WIRF’s steroid optimisation program achieves a major breakthrough – determining that a single low dose of steroid should be sufficient for women delivering within 2 days of treatment.
2020 Senior Western Australian of the Year.
In recognition of a life dedicated to saving and improving the lives of women, infants and families, Professor John Newnham, is named the 2020 Senior Western Australian of the Year.
National award for premature birth expert.
In recognition of his pioneering approach and impact on the field of preterm birth prevention, Professor John Newnham AM, has been named the 2020 Senior Australian of the Year.
Alliance launches in SA.
The South Australian chapter of the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance is successfully launched and is poised to benefit the 20,000 babies that are born in the state each year.
WIRF powers ACT’s premmie decline.
Rates of early birth in Canberra fall by 10% and it’s credited to WIRF’s pioneering Whole Nine Months program to prevent preterm birth and its far-reaching impacts.
Linking bacterial signatures with preterm birth.
A study examining the link between a woman’s bacterial signature and preterm birth is heralded as a breakthrough. The Predict1000 Study has identified a DNA signature that identifies pregnant women who are at increased risk of preterm birth.
Fourth Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation.
Prof John Newnham AM has made a contribution to the Fourth Australian Atlas of Healthcare Variation. The report has identified areas for healthcare improvement across six key clinical topics including early planned births.
Study brings comfort for IVF families.
A landmark WIRF study of WA teenagers born via IVF has found their genetic health profile years later is just as good as their naturally conceived peers.
Major Federal funding announcement.
WIRF’s welcomes the announcement of $13.7 million in Federal Government funding to bolster the National Preterm Birth Prevention Program and its roll out across Australia.
Stockbrokers ring in $400,000 for WA charities.
Perth firm Euroz Hartleys has raised $400,000 for WIRF and three other deserving WA-based charities during its fourth annual Commission for a Cause Day, where brokers donate fees from a full trading day to charity.
Landmark study optimises steroid use in pregnancy.
A ground-breaking research program aiming to optimise steroid use in pregnancy has generated important preclinical data showing how the World Health Organization’s gold-standard antenatal steroid treatment regime for preterm infants may be improved.
Gala raises $212,000.
More than 220 guests attended the 2022 WIRF Gala at which an astounding $202,000 was raised to support WIRF’s critical work to improve the health of all Western Australian women, mothers and babies.
Connecting generations through Lyfe Languages.
WIRF announces significant funding for the Lyfe Languages initiative to assist in the development of new modules focussing on improving outcomes in Aboriginal maternal mental health and preterm birth outcomes for First Nations women. Lyfe Languages brings medical students, doctors, and clinicians together with community to translate complex medical terminology into accurate and culturally safe Indigenous language.
WIRF’s World Top 2% Scientist Success.
Stanford University have published the top 2% most widely cited scientists globally with WIRF’s Professor Matt Kemp making the list.
WIRF secures record SRI awards haul.
WIRF Researchers have achieved a record awards result as part of the Society for Reproductive Investigation’s 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting. Erin Fee, Haruo Usuda, Tsukasa Takahashi, Hideyuki Ikeda and Sean Carter were awarded oral presentations with Erin, Haruo and Tsukasa also awarded the highly coveted SRI President’s Presenter’s Award for their work. These awards represent the top 25 most meritorious abstracts submitted by individuals still in training.
Stories of hope and impact
Meet the families who have benefited from WIRF’s work in research, outreach, and care.
These stories show the true impact of your support.
Our partners and sponsors
We are proud to work with leading organisations and sponsors who support our mission.
