School of Science

Medical Sciences

Discipline Lead | Peter Shortland

The Medical Sciences discipline groups at Western Sydney University contains expert researchers who are engaged in a number of different research areas from basic discovery to translational studies. Using a cellular to systems level approach, members of this group study conditions such as neurodegeneration, infectious diseases, cancer, drug discovery, medical physiology, medicinal chemistry, medical microbiology, and pain, all of which have significant effects on human wellbeing. Strong collaborations exist with researchers in other disciplines (Medicine, Health, Biological, Sports & Exercise Sciences), government and industry partner organisations and international institutions.

Research output was rated in the 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia at world standard for Neurosciences, above world standard in Medical Sciences, Biochemistry and Cell Biology and well above world standard in Microbiology, Cancer and Pharmacology. Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching is guided by research-led discoveries so that students are up to date with theoretical insight and empirical rigour throughout their studies.


Academics for this Discipline


Western Sydney University has been ranked in the Top 20 Universities in Australia and top 300 worldwide for Life Sciences and Medicine, in this year's QS World University Rankings by Subject.