UNSW Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute appoints inaugural director

Leading endometriosis researcher Professor Kate Lawrenson has been appointed the inaugural Chair and Director of the UNSW Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI). 

Prof. Lawrenson will join UNSW Sydney in January, leading the institute’s mission to transform care for the millions of people worldwide who are affected by endometriosis. Her career has been dedicated to the study of women’s health, largely focused on endometriosis and ovarian cancer research. 

“I’m excited to be joining AERI at such an important time for endometriosis research,” said Prof. Lawrenson, who is currently based in Texas. 

“Australian researchers have played a leading role in driving much-needed progress in endometriosis research and awareness, and AERI presents a rare opportunity to bring together global expertise at a scale we haven’t seen before to make a real difference for people with the disease.” 

AERI was established in 2025 following a landmark $50 million philanthropic donation from the Ainsworth family’s Grevillea Foundation and is the first research institute dedicated solely to endometriosis. 

Despite affecting millions of people worldwide, and an estimated one in seven women in Australia, endometriosis has historically been under researched, and gaps remain in understanding the disease and how best to diagnose and treat it.

Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, often causing severe pain, fatigue and in some cases infertility. Getting an accurate diagnosis can be a lengthy and costly journey, taking an average of six to eight years from the emergence of symptoms.

“One of the biggest challenges for people with endometriosis is they have been put under one umbrella, but they have many different stories, experiences of symptoms and outcomes,” Prof. Lawrenson said. 

AERI is bringing together top scientists and clinicians from around the world to improve the diagnosis, management and treatment of endometriosis by harnessing the power of precision medicine – which factors in a person’s unique genes, environment, and lifestyle instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

“Precision medicine, or personalised medicine, is key to improving care. By understanding the molecular and cellular drivers of a person’s disease we can pick the treatment that will most efficiently target their symptoms.

“Partnering with researchers, clinicians and people with endometriosis, will be key to AERI’s success. Partnerships have been fundamental to my own research, and I believe we have an opportunity to create a blueprint for international collaboration that can improve care for people worldwide.”

AERI will progress their extensive biobank, develop new endometriosis models and expand their clinical trials program. Researchers will also investigate disease subtypes, biological links between endometriosis and gynaecological cancers, and whether existing drugs could be repurposed for treatment. 

A leader in endometriosis research 

Dean of UNSW Medicine & Health Professor Cheryl Jones said she was delighted to welcome Prof. Lawrenson as the inaugural AERI Chair and Director, following a global recruitment search. 

 “Prof. Lawrenson is an international expert in endometriosis and cell biology. She joins us from the University of Texas where she has led a program of ground-breaking research in this important area of women's health.

“She will lead AERI in bringing together clinicians, scientists and people with the disease to deepen our understanding of endometriosis biology and develop more personalised approaches to treatment and care.
  
During her time at the University of Texas, Prof. Lawrenson built multidisciplinary teams for endometriosis and ovarian cancer research through leadership roles as Director of the OB/Gyn Tissue Repository and Database and Co-Director for the Centre for Inherited Oncogenesis

Her research explores gene regulation in endometriosis and ovarian cancer, as well as the link between these two diseases, and uses the latest genomic technologies to uncover new insights on endometriosis and other overlooked gynaecological conditions.

She is also passionate about mentorship of junior scientists, particularly women and minority groups, and noted training the next generation of women’s health researchers would be a key priority for AERI.

AERI Interim Director and Clinical Director Professor Jason Abbott said Prof. Lawrenson’s appointment would help drive the institute’s ambitious research program.

“AERI will connect discovery research with clinical programs, with the long-term aim of achieving earlier diagnosis and a clearer understanding of how the disease can be interrupted and managed more effectively.

“Prof. Lawrenson’s scientific leadership will be central to achieving these goals and we look forward to her leading this world-first dedicated endometriosis program to deliver better outcomes for people with the disease.”

Grevillea Foundation founding directors Anna Ainsworth and Lily Ainsworth also welcomed Prof. Lawrenson as the inaugural AERI Chair.

“We share great pride in supporting AERI and its ground-breaking work, and we’re privileged to have Prof. Lawrenson joining the team,” Ms Ainsworth said.

“We know she will bring her experience and passion to the position and continue to expand the vitally important work of AERI to improve the lives of those living with endometriosis around the world.”