Kathy Gatford

Dr. Kathy Gatford serves as Associate Professor in the School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide and Research Leader in the Robinson Research Institute. Her research focuses on understanding how early life environment programs subsequent health outcomes, particularly metabolic homeostasis, and developing interventions to prevent adverse effects of poor pregnancy conditions. As Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (Advanced), she shapes innovative health education emphasizing entrepreneurship and research skills. Her research has attracted over $2.9 million in funding, including grants from NHMRC and Diabetes Australia Research Trust. Her current work examines the impact of antenatal glucocorticoids on lung maturation and strategies to minimize off-target effects. She coordinates multiple courses including Innovation in Health and Infant, Child and Adolescent Health, while maintaining active research supervision of doctoral candidates studying topics ranging from preterm infant treatment to maternal asthma effects. Through her leadership in both education and research, she continues to advance understanding of developmental programming while preparing the next generation of health professionals.