Professor Kirsty Pringle serves as the Assistant Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing at the University of Newcastle. She is a teaching/research academic in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, where she leads the Placental Biology and Pregnancy Research group within the Women's Health Program at the Hunter Medical Research Institute. Her work focuses on improving outcomes for mothers and their babies, particularly in Australian Aboriginal communities through the Gomeroi Gaaynggal Study. PhD in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Adelaide (2003) Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Adelaide Professor Pringle's research spans placental biology, Indigenous maternal health, and the renin-angiotensin system's role in pregnancy. She investigates how maternal exposures program fetal development, particularly focusing on kidney and cardiovascular health outcomes. Her work with the Gomeroi Gaaynggal Study examines over 200 Indigenous mothers and infants from Tamworth, Walgett, and Newcastle to identify factors affecting pregnancy outcomes. She also explores repurposing hypertension medications for endometrial cancer treatment and examines sex differences in pregnancy complications. Her extensive publication record demonstrates a strong focus on understanding pregnancy complications, particularly preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and their long-term health consequences. A significant portion of her work centers on Indigenous Australian health outcomes, examining how maternal factors influence fetal kidney development. Her recent research has increasingly focused on the renin-angiotensin system's role in placental function, with implications for potential therapeutic interventions targeting ACE2 and the (pro)renin receptor. 2024 Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) Award for Excellence in Reproductive Biology Professor Pringle serves as Course Coordinator for HUBS3511 Human Reproduction and Pregnancy (2022-2025). She leads the Gomeroi Gaaynggal longitudinal cohort study and collaborates extensively with researchers including Dr. Kym Rae, Laureate Professor Roger Smith, and Emeritus Professor Eugenie Lumbers. Her research has secured funding for investigations into placental biology, Indigenous maternal health, and the renin-angiotensin system's role in pregnancy complications. As leader of the Placental Biology and Pregnancy Research group at the Hunter Medical Research Institute, Professor Pringle oversees a multidisciplinary team focused on understanding placental development and pregnancy complications. Her Gomeroi Gaaynggal Study involves close collaboration with Indigenous communities to translate research findings into clinical practice, particularly seeking ways to identify and address underlying health issues before they become clinically apparent.
