Trevor Mori is a Senior Principal Research Fellow in the Medical School at the University of Western Australia. He was awarded a First Class Honours in 1980 and a PhD with Distinction in 1985, both from The University of Western Australia. He held a National Health & Medical Council of Australia (NHMRC) Senior Research Fellowship from 2008-2022.

RESEARCH

(i)    A major focus of Trevor’s research has been to examine the interaction of omega-3 fatty acids with other diet and lifestyle modalities using controlled intervention trials, in healthy volunteers and “higher-risk” populations. His studies examining the independent effects of individual omega-3 fatty acids in humans were the first to demonstrate differences in the biological actions of these fatty acids on a number of important cardiovascular risk factors. 

(ii)   Trevor’s research examining lipid oxidation in relation to cardiovascular disease has entailed establishment of assays using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) for the analysis of isoprostanes, neuroprostanes, phytoprostanes and isofurans, which are the most reliable markers of oxidative stress. These assays, unique in Australia, have resulted in many collaborations nationally and internationally.

(iii)  Other research has focused on the study of specialised pro-resolving lipid mediators of inflammation resolution that demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory actions. Trevor’s laboratory has established liquid chromatography-triple quad mass spectrometry (LCMS) assays for the analysis of these metabolites.

(iv)  Trevor leads the Cardiovascular Programme of the Raine Study: an ongoing longitudinal study involving 2,868 offspring studied from pregnancy to the current cohort assessment at 34 years of age. Based in Perth, the Raine Study is one of the largest and longest-running studies of human health from pregnancy into adulthood to be conducted anywhere in the world.

In 2023, Trevor was awarded $812,000 from the Department of Health, Government of Western Australia Cohort Studies-Research Support Program. The project is in collaboration with researchers in the Medical School at UWA, the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

Using two generations of data from the Raine Study, Trevor and the team is investigating the causes of primary aldosteronism, a common and potentially preventable cause of cardiovascular disease.

Trevor's other research interests include vitamin metabolism, eicosanoids and control mechanisms in blood pressure regulation.

RESEARCH SUPPORT

Trevor has held ongoing project grants from the NHMRC since 1989. Other research has been supported by the National Heart Foundation of Australia, National Institutes of Health (USA), Australian Research Council, WA Health Promotion Foundation, Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, Dairy Innovation Australia, Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation, Cancer Council of Australia, as well as industry. As Chief Investigator he has attracted >$26M funding since 1998 (>$16M from the NHMRC).