Robert Norman

Robert Norman

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences


Robert Norman holds a personal chair as Professor for Reproductive and Periconceptual Medicine at the University of Adelaide and is a subspecialist in reproductive medicine (CREI) and in endocrine biochemistry (FRCPA). He was Director of the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide from 2008 to 2013, a collection of 60 Research Leaders in reproductive health and regenerative medicine, with more than 450 members. He has been leader of two NHMRC Program Grants and has published over 450 peer-reviewed publications and one book. He has an h score of 108 (Google Scholar), with more than 59,000 citations. He serves on the editorial board of major reproductive journals. His major research contributions have been in IVF and reproductive endocrinology, particularly in PCOS, the effect of lifestyle on reproductive outcomes and periconception medicine. He is the former Medical Director and was an active reproductive medicine specialist at Fertility SA and was formerly CEO of Repromed Pty Ltd. He was
President of the Asia Pacific Initiative for Reproduction Society (membership 2000+), Scientific Chair of ASPIRE (2014 and 2016) and Scientific Chair of the Fertility Society (2012 - present). He was awarded an Order of Australia (AO) in 2013. In 2015 he became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and in the same year was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Medicine by the University of
Adelaide. He has been given the top awards of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE).

Professor Norman's major research contributions have been in IVF and reproductive endocrinology,
particularly in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, the effect of lifestyle on reproductive outcomes and
periconception medicine.

In 2018, together with Professor Helena Teede from Monash University, he led the development, publication and implimentation of the International Guidelines on PCOS (Published July 2018).

Beginning in 2020, he was a member of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Women's Health in Reproductive Life.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2013 - 2018 Medical Director Fertility SA
    2009 - ongoing Consultant and sub-specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility Fertility SA
    2009 - ongoing Professor of Reproductive and Periconceptual Medicine University of Adelaide
    2008 - 2013 Founding Director Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide
    2004 - ongoing Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Adelaide
    2004 - 2008 Founding Director Research Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide
    2003 - 2013 Founding Convenor Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA)
    1998 - 2006 Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
    1998 - 2003 Head, Reproductive Medicine Laboratories University of Adelaide
    1998 - 2003 Head of Clinical and Scientific Services Repromed Pty Ltd
    1998 - 2003 Chief Executive and Medical Director Repromed Pty Ltd
    1993 - 1998 Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Adelaide
    1988 - 1993 Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Adelaide
    1987 - 1988 Associate Professor University of Natal
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2016 Award Best Oral Presentation Award 6th Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) Indonesia 650
    2015 Award Ricardo Azziz Distinguished Researcher Award Androgen Excess Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society (AE PCOS) - -
    2015 Honour Honorary Doctor of Medicine University of Adelaide Australia -
    2015 Award Arthur Wilson Memorial Orator RANZCOG Australia -
    2015 Fellowship Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) AAHMS Australia -
    2014 Honour Howard Jacobs Plenary Lectureship British Fertility Society United Kingdom -
    2014 Recognition Life Membership Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) Australia -
    2014 Honour Founder's Lecture Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) Australia -
    2013 Honour ASPIRE India Bayer Zydus Orator ASPIRE India India -
    2013 Award Distinguished Researcher Award American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) United States -
    2013 Honour Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) Australian Government Australia -
    2013 Recognition Life Membership Fertility Society of Australia (FSA) Australia -
    2009 Award SA Great Award for Health SA Great Australia -
    2009 Award SA Great Award for Science SA Great Australia -
    2009 Award South Australian Scientist of the Year South Australian Government Australia -
    2007 Award Best Great Minds in Australian Research NHMRC Australia -
    2006 Achievement Finalist South Australian Government Australia -
    2005 Achievement Finalist South Australian Government Australia -
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2015 University of Adelaide Australia MD Honorary
    1983 University of Natal, Durban South Africa MD
    1974 University of Birmingham Medical School United Kingdom MBChB (Hons)
    1972 University of Birmingham Medical School United Kingdom BSc (Hons) Anatomical Sciences, First Class
  • Certifications

    Date Title Institution name Country
    2014 Fellow Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science -
    1995 Fellow (FRANZCOG) Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG) Australia
    1994 Fellow (FRCPA) Royal College of Pathologists of Australia (RCPA) Australia
    1993 CREI (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Subspecialty) Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG) Australia
    1989 Fellow (FRCOG) Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) United Kingdom
    1984 Fellow Royal College of Pathologists United Kingdom
  • Research Interests

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2016 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Using New Evidence Synthesis Methods for Decision Making in Reproductive Medicine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Rui Wang
    2010 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Ovarian Follicular Fluid Reflects the Clinical Condition and Oocyte Cumulus Homeostasis Master of Medical Science Master Full Time Miss Tawiwan Pantasri
    2010 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Metabolic Phenotyping of Young Adults and Mice Born Through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Miaoxin Chen
    2009 - 2013 Co-Supervisor Circulating microRNAs in endometriosis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Victoria Nisenblat
    2008 - 2013 Co-Supervisor The Role of Nuclear Progesterone Receptor (PGR) in Regulating Gene Expression, Morphology and Function in the Ovary and Oviduct during the Periovulatory Period Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Lisa Akison
    2006 - 2009 Principal Supervisor Diet-Induced Obesity Influences Oocyte Developmental Competence Via Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG)-Mediated Mechanisms Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Cadence Haynes
    2006 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Weight Management in Young Women Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Siew Lim
    2006 - 2010 Principal Supervisor Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Associated Metabolic Features in Indigenous Women in the Northern Territory Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Jacqueline Boyle
    2005 - 2007 Principal Supervisor Dietary Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Lisa Moran
    2004 - 2008 Principal Supervisor The Effects of short-term Energy Restriction in Overweight / Obese Females on Reproductive Outcomes Master of Medical Science Master Full Time Mrs Victoria Tsagareli
    2003 - 2005 Co-Supervisor Seminal Plasma Regulation of the Post-Coital Inflammatory Response in the Human Cervix Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr David Sharkey
    2002 - 2006 Principal Supervisor Androgen Receptor Mediated Activity in the Ovary: Implications for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time APrf Theresa Hickey
    2000 - 2004 Co-Supervisor EFFECTS OF ENDOGENOUS AND SYNTHETIC FEMALE SEX STEROIDS ON EXERCISE STATUS IN YOUNG, SEDENTARY WOMEN Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Leanne Redman
    2000 - 2005 Principal Supervisor Ovarian Macrophages and the Regulation of Ovarian Function Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Kylie Van Der Hoek
  • Board Memberships

    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2013 - 2013 Council Women's and Children's Health Research Institute Women's and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI) Australia
    2012 - ongoing Advisory Board Member International Advisory Committee American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) United States
    2010 - ongoing Advisory Board Member Scientific Advisory Board Ovarian Club -
    2010 - 2013 Board Member Women's and Children's Health Research Alliance Women's and Children's Health Research Alliance Australia
    2009 - ongoing Advisory Board Member Advisory Board VNU-HCM Research Institute for Genetics and Reproductive Health, Vietnam National University Viet Nam
    2009 - 2009 Co-Chair Centre for Intergenerational Health - Australia
    2009 - ongoing Board Member Fertility SA Fertility SA Australia
    2008 - 2016 Board Member ASPIRE Asia Pacific Initiative for Reproduction and Embryology -
    2008 - 2013 Board Member Robinson Research Institute Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide Australia
    2008 - 2010 Advisory Board Member Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Nutrition (CCRE) Advisory Board - Australia
    2007 - 2007 Chair Scientific Advisory Board (Fertility) Schering Plough Australia
    2007 - 2007 Chair Scientific Advisory Board (Fertility) Merck Serono (Australia and New Zealand) Australia
    2007 - 2007 Member SA Council on Reproductive Technology Council of the University of Adelaide Australia
    2006 - 2007 Member RANZCOG Research Foundation Board of Directors - Australia
    2004 - 2007 Member Novartis Consumer Health Australia Advisory Board - Australia
    1999 - 2010 Director Repromed Pty Ltd Board Repromed Pty Ltd Australia
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2010 - 2010 Member SA Premier's Science and Research Council - Australia
    2009 - ongoing Chair Australian National PCOS Alliance - Australia
    2009 - 2015 Member NHMRC Research Committee - Australia
    2009 - 2015 Member NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee - Australia
    2009 - 2009 Member Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) Biomedical Sciences Committee - Australia
    2007 - 2009 Member The Queen Elizabeth Research Foundation Research Advisory Committee - Australia
    2006 - 2010 Representative Research Committee of the Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation (CRF) University of Adelaide Representative Australia
    2006 - 2008 Member RANZCOG Research Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee - Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2015 - ongoing Member Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Australia

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