Research at the centre is facilitated by the close working relationship between clinicians and researchers.

The clinical leadership is provided by Winthrop Professor Marcus Atlas and the research group leadership by Adjunct Associate Professor Robert Eikelboom and Dr Robert Marano.  

The Ear Sciences Centre was established in January 2006. It cemented the links between:

• School of Surgery Otolaryngology Unit at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
• University of Western Australia
• Ear Science Institute of Australia

Research and training

The group has a strong emphasis on improving patient outcomes and a commitment to teaching and training. The research team is multi-disciplinary in nature, drawing skills from many fields such as engineering, computer science, molecular and cellular sciences, otolaryngology and audiology.

The work is carried out in close collaboration with other research institutions, universities, hospitals, government agencies, industry and patients.

The group provides research supervision over the full range of levels and timeframes in:

• medical student ‘Research and Discovery’ projects (half a day per week in Year 4)
• vacation projects (six weeks)
• Bachelor of Medical Science honours (one year)
• Master’s (one to two years)
• PhD (three to four years).

The work is supported on an ongoing basis by the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation, as well as other competitive funding bodies, industry sponsors and members of the public.