CIPHeR is a multidisciplinary alliance of global leaders in pain research, uniting groups of pain researchers across UQ to work collaboratively toward the single end of cracking the code on pain. The Centre is nation-leading in its diversity and size, and the impact of its research.
With strong partnerships in health care and industry and high profile national and global research collaborations, CIPHeR is poised to make a significant and sustained impact on our understanding of pain and the lives of those whom it affects.
Vision
Deciphering pain. Changing lives.
Mission
We’re working to better understand pain and create more effective, personalised solutions through research, innovation and collaboration with the community so that lives impacted by pain can be healthier and better supported.
Helping people in pain through science, solutions and shared understanding.
Join the PainExchange network
The PainExchange network connects researchers, clinicians, consumers, and community members interested in pain and health research, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. A core activity is our monthly seminar series.
Strategic plan
For a detailed look at our research, read the academic version of our strategic plan (PDF, 623.5 KB).
CIPHeR conducts research across the spectrum from fundamental discoveries in basic research to clinical trials and implementation.
The Centre’s work is organised into 4 research themes that each address a key element of pain within an integrated framework:
Mechanisms and trajectories
We’re working to better understand what causes pain, why it changes over time and how it affects different people in different ways.
Learn more about the Mechanisms and trajectories theme
Impactful clinical trials
We run clinical trials to find out what really works, testing new and existing treatments to reduce pain and help people live and function better.
Learn more about the Impactful clinical trials theme
Prevention and interventions
We’re working to create treatments and prevention strategies that work early, effectively and personal.
Learn more about the Prevention and interventions theme
Knowledge dissemination, education and implementation
We want our research to make a difference - not just in theory, but in real lives.
Learn more about the Knowledge dissemination, education and implementation theme
CIPHeR brings together 53 academics from The University of Queensland (UQ) and their teams from across 6 Faculties (Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, and Faculty of Science) and 3 Institutes (Institute of Molecular Bioscience, Queensland Brain Institute, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology) with a total group size of more than 200 pain researchers.
UQ has substantial strength in pain research, including key individuals with world-leading research profiles.
Director
Mechanisms and trajectories theme
Leaders
Team
- Professor Brian Key
- Professor Paul Mills
- Professor Peter Cabot
- Associate Professor Kylie Tucker
- Associate Professor Lachlan Rash
- Dr Sam Robinson
- Dr Nathalia Costa
- Dr Taylor Dick
- Dr Manuela Besomi
- Dr Viana Vuvan
- Dr Scott Farrell
- Dr Yanfei Xie
- Dr Phill Bokiniec
Impactful clinical trials theme
Leaders
Team
- Professor Michele Sterling
- Professor Phillip Good
- Associate Professor Natalie Collins
- Dr Julia Treleaven
Prevention and intervention theme
Leaders
Team
- Professor Trevor Russell
- Associate Professor Richard Clarke
- Associate Professor Wendy Goodwill
- Dr Rachel Elphinston
- Dr Lucy Thomas
- Dr Fernanda Cardoso
- Dr Nigel Lee
- Dr Felicity Han
- Dr Manuela Besomi
Knowledge dissemination, education and implementation theme
Leaders
Team
CIPHeR has a strong engagement with external partners across health services, industry, clinicians and consumers.
Consumer organisations
- Musculoskeletal Australia
- Chronic Pain Australia
Scientific Societies
- International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
- Australian Pain Society
Clinical Trial Networks
- Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA)
- Australian Musculoskeletal Clinical Trials Group (ANZMUSC)
Industry partnerships
Biomedical
- Mainstay Inc
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Ferring
- Johnson & Johnson
- Zealand Pharma
- Vionic Limited Liability Company
Insurers
Allianz, Suncorp, Transport Accident Ccommission
Health systems
- Queensland Health
- CLEM Jones Centre
- Royal North Shore Hospital
Collaborating institutions (major collaborations only listed below)
Australia
- Australian National University
- University of Melbourne
- Monash University
- University of Sydney
- South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
- University of Adelaide
- Queensland Inistute of Medical Research
- Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO
- Central Queensland University
- University of New South Wales
- La Trobe University
- Macquarie University
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research (University Tasmania)
- University of Wollongong
- Griffith University
International
- Oxford University (UK)
- Cambridge University (UK)
- University of Southern Denmark (Denmark)
- Temple University (USA)
- University of California, San Francisco (USA)
- University of North Carolina (USA)
- Erasmus Medical Centre (The Netherlands)
- Aalborg University (Denmark)
- Gent University (Belgium)
- University College Dublin (Ireland)
- University North Carolina (USA)
- Yugen Medtech (China)
- Hainan Beautech (China)
- University of Texas at Dallas (USA)
- Aarhus University (Denmark)
- Exeter University (UK)
- University of Minnesota (USA)
- University of Washington (USA)
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
Australian Research Council (ARC)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
U.S. Department of Defence (DoD)
Additional major funding for existing centres
- Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development CIPDD
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre
External funding
- The Lott (philanthropic)
- AusHealth (industry)
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (USA)
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society (USA)
- Investigator initiated grant
- Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital -Study, Education and Research Trust Account (SERTA)
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) /Motor Accident Insurance Commission
- Allianz
- Motor Accident Insurance Commission /State Insurance Regulatory Authority
- Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation
- Australian Physiotherapy Association
News
UQ researcher receives grant to collaborate with leading international researchers - 20 February 2025UQ health and medical researchers share $46m of funding - 28 February 2025Art meets science: UQ researchers win NHMRC awards - 27 March 2025Interview clip at the ABC Radio – Prof Paul Hodges & Prof. Andrew Rice - 10 April 2025Robust research and regulation critical in quest for pain relief - 10 April 2025'Game-changer' sleep study could help millions of Australians suffering from chronic pain - 4 October 2024Relationship between sleep and pain is not what we think - 2 October 2024UQ researcher awarded top Queensland science prize - 16 August 2024UQ researchers elected as new Fellows to the Australian Academy of Science - 23 May 2024UQ health research given $41 million boost - 3 May 2024NHMRC awards $43 million in four new grants - 18 December 2023UQ researchers address health challenges with NHMRC grants - 23 November 2023UQ Alumni Award winners pave the path to a better world - 27 October 2023PM awards innovation prize to UQ venom researcher - 17 October 2023Caterpillar venom study reveals toxins borrowed from bacteria - 11 July 2023New venom discovery from deadly cone snails - 29 June 2023Research reveals ants inflict pain with neurotoxins - 6 June 2023Stinging tree injects promise of pain relief - 4 May 2023UQ researchers selected to attend 72nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting - 28 March 2023MRFF provides $31 million boost to UQ research - 21 March 2023UQ academics recognised by the Australian Academy of Humanities - 25 November 2022Investigating health solutions - 13 October 2022UQ researchers secure funding for vital health and medical research - 21 September 2022UQ research investigates how to stop painful chemo for kids - 12 August 2022UQ accelerates research response to health and medical challenges - 13 July 2022Differences in brain structure and genetics linked to chronic pain - 16 December 2021
Contact us
Professor Paul Hodges
Centre Director
Hayley Ware
Program Manager
Volunteer
Keen to get involved? Search research studies within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences currently looking for volunteers.