The Herston Imaging Research Facility (HIRF) is an alliance between three of Queensland’s most influential research and clinical institutions: The University of Queensland (UQ), the Queensland University of Technology (QUT); and the Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS) through the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH). HIRF is part of the Queensland Node of the National Imaging Facility. The leading healthcare company, Siemens Healthineers, is the facility’s industry partner.
HIRF creates collaborative opportunities for all institutions using the latest imaging technologies to further research and improve patient outcomes.
The University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) is Queensland’s largest and oldest university. It is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions, ranking within the 100 top universities worldwide. The institute strives for excellence through the creation, preservation, transfer and application of knowledge. For more than a century, UQ has educated and worked with outstanding people to deliver knowledge leadership for a better world.
UQ is a key partner in HIRF through the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a leading Australian university recognised for its strong industry connections, real-world focus, and global outlook. With a vibrant community of nearly 50,000 students, QUT delivers future-focused education, cutting-edge research, and practical learning experiences designed to prepare graduates for rapidly evolving careers.
As a modern and forward-looking institution, QUT combines academic excellence with innovation, collaboration, and impact—equipping its graduates to create meaningful change locally and globally.
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) is Queensland’s largest hospital, with over 1000 beds, and provides a wide range of clinical services. RBWH employs more than 8,000 multidisciplinary staff that together provide more than one million episodes of life-saving treatment each year. It has extensive expertise in patient care, clinical trials, care pathways and advanced radiation therapy. Firmly established as a world-leading healthcare, research and innovation hub, RBWH has proud partnerships with more than 14 Queensland and national universities, three TAFE providers and boasts strong ties to the Australian Defence Force.
RBWH is also part of the Herston Health Precinct – one of Australia’s largest health and knowledge precincts.
National Imaging Facility
The National Imaging Facility is Australia's advanced imaging network. It is their vision to enable Australian imaging science to unlock solutions to major challenges. Through National Imaging Facility, cutting-edge imaging equipment is made accessible to Australian researchers, clinicians and industry, to enable significant impacts on national health challenges and to accelerate Australian innovation.
HIRF is part of the Queensland Node of the National Imaging Facility.
Siemens Heathineers
Siemens Heathineers, Australia have supplied the cutting-edge imaging equipment for the HIRF.
The company has contributed superior engineering applications and technical expertise to ensure high-quality scanner performance and strong clinical outcomes for patients.
Siemens Australia shares the HIRF vision of a world-class imaging facility and has also provided training for the production of imaging biomarkers and funded a medical fellow.
Siemens Australia scanners will play a vital role in assisting the HIRF to identify and develop new diagnosis and treatment pathways.
Contributors
HIRF’s establishment was funded by the contributions from the HIRF partners and the from the Queensland Government, Commonwealth Government, Australian Cancer Research Foundation and the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Royal Foundation.
HIRF would like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of those who have contributed to the facility and would also like to express a great appreciation for their generosity and continued support.