Kate Hedley

Kate Hedley is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Newcastle, affiliated with the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Gastrointestinal Research Group within the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing. Her research explores the bi-directional relationship between peripheral pathophysiology (e.g., infections, microbiome) and central nervous system signaling.

• Education:
• BBiomed Sci Hons I (University of Newcastle, 2018)
• PhD in Human Physiology (University of Newcastle, 2024)

Hedley’s work bridges neuroimmunology, developmental neurobiology, and the gut-brain axis. She investigates how early-life inflammation affects lifelong neuroinflammatory profiles and autonomic control, with a focus on sex-specific differences and microbiome-driven cognitive modulation.

Her recent publications emphasize neuroinflammatory mechanisms in the medulla oblongata post-neonatal infection, Chlamydia muridarum impacts on brainstem signaling, and systematic reviews of peripheral-central neuroimmune interactions.

• Scientific Awards:
• Lung-Brain Axis in Health and Disease Travel Award (2022)
• Dunkley Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research (2018)

Hedley contributes to interdisciplinary grants, including Optimising the Warfighter cognobiome (2021–2024, $3.5M) and Oral GLP-1 agonists for weight management (2025, $290K). She co-supervises three PhD students investigating mucosal healing, gut-lung axis, and HIF response in colorectal cancer.

Her research is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and conducted at the HMRI Building (Level 3 East Wing), New South Wales.