Corinna Van Den Heuvel

Professor Corinna Van Den Heuvel

Head of School

School of Biomedicine

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Professor Corinna Van Den Heuvel is a distinguished senior executive leader in higher education with over 25 years of experience at the University of Adelaide. Corinna is an alumnus of the University of Adelaide having completed her BHlthSc in 2003, then BHlthSc(Hons) in 2004 and then a PhD in 1999. Recognized for exceptional leadership in academic strategy, curriculum development and research excellence. She possesses a proven track record in leading large teams and driving strategic academic initiatives.

As the current Head of the School of Biomedicine, she provides strategic and operational leadership to over 150 staff, overseeing and advancing the school’s teaching, research and growth initiatives. Her leadership style is built on purpose, accountability, respect, collaboration, inclusivity, and empowerment, inspiring a unified "one team" culture. Corinna is also the Program Director for the Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences, one of the largest programs within the Faculty, where she leverages her expertise as an Education Specialist and member of the Adelaide Education Academy to drive innovative curriculum development, enhancing student learning experiences and aligning programs with global industry standards.

Corinna's contributions to education are internationally recognized, with appointments as a Senior Fellow of Advance HE and numerous other prestigious leadership and teaching awards.

Alongside her leadership and educational roles, Corinna is an active researcher in Neurotrauma and Forensic Pathology, publishing over 85 peer-reviewed articles and securing competitive research funding. Corinna has supervised numerous first-class Honours and PhD students, many of whom now hold prominent academic and research roles nationally and internationally.

Therefore, her work reflects a commitment to addressing global health challenges through impactful research and mentoring future academic leaders. Her results-driven, outcome-focused approach has consistently delivered critical and meaningful outcomes that have positively impacted the University. Corinna has a proven track record of successfully directing large-scale programs and implementing transformative academic strategies.

 

Member of the Translational Neuropathology Laboratory at the University of Adelaide and her current research focusses on traumatic brain injury.  She also has research collaborations with Forensic Science SA and the Centre for Automative Safety Research.  Her work has been presented both nationally and internationally and published widely in internationally recognised journals.  She has supervised numerous first class Honours and PhD students.

 

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Head, School of Biomedicine The University of Adelaide
    2022 - ongoing Head, School of Biomedicine University of Adelaide
    2020 - 2022 Interim Head, Adelaide Medical School The University of Adelaide
    2019 - 2020 Head, Department of Medical Sciences The University of Adelaide
    2018 - ongoing Senior Fellow Advance HE
    2018 - ongoing Stephen Cole the Elder Award The University of Adelaide
    2018 - 2019 Head Discipline Anatomy and Pathology The University of Adelaide
    2016 - ongoing Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Program Coordinator The University of Adelaide
    2016 - ongoing Bachelor of Health Sciences Program Coordinator The University of Adelaide
    2016 - ongoing Member of the Adelaide Education Academy University of Adelaide
    2011 - ongoing Associate Professor The University of Adelaide
    2005 - 2011 Senior Lecturer The University of Adelaide
    2000 - 2005 Lecturer level B University of Adelaide
    1999 - 2000 Associate Lecturer University of Adelaide
    1994 - 1995 Research Assistant Royal Adelaide Hospital
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2022 Award The University Award for Outstanding Achievement - Exceptional Leadership The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2018 Award Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence in the Leadership, Support and Enhancement of Teaching Practice The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2016 Award Executive Deans Medal The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2008 Award Executive Deans Prize for Excellence in Teaching - - -
    2001 Award South Australian Brain Foundation’s Elizabeth Penfold Simpson Prize - - $7,500
    2000 Award Cairns Society Travel Prize - - $5,000
    1998 Award First Prize Medical Staff Society Research Prize Royal Adelaide Hospital - $1,000
    1996 Scholarship Benjamin Poulton Scholarship The University of Adelaide - -
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    1999 The University of Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy (Neuroscience)
    1994 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Science (Hons I)
    1993 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Science
  • Research Interests

Total Research Funding 
2018 NHMRC project grant $874,733.50. Preclinical evaluation of the novel therapeutic compound APP96-110 in an ovine model of traumatic brain injury. Chief investigators; (CIA) Frances Corrigan, (CIB) Sanjay Garg, (CIC) Robert Vink, (CID) Corinna Van Den Heuvel, (CIE) Renee Turner.
2017 NHMRC project grant $648,739.  APLP2: a neuroprotective receptor for acute brain injury. Chief Investigators (CIA) Roberto Cappai, (CIB) Peter Crack, Associate investigator (AI) Corinna Van Den Heuvel.
2016 The Brain Foundation. $21,000. Developing a neuroprotective agent against   neurotrauma. Chief Investigator:   Corinna Van Den Heuve
2015 - 2016 Neurotrauma Research Program. $131, 651. Assessing APP 96-110: A novel neuroprotective agent in traumatic SCI. Chief Investigators: Stuart Hodgetts, Alan Harvey, Corinna Van Den Heuvel.
2014 Neurosurgical Research Foundation: $54,500. Equipment Grant. Chief Investigator:  Corinna Van Den Heuvel.
2013 - 2015 Co Chief investigator. NHMRC  $451, 420. Elucidating the Neuroprotective Region of the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Following Traumatic Brain Injury. Chief Investigators: Robert Vink, Corinna Van Den Heuvel, Peter Blumbergs.  
2013 Chief investigator. Brain Foundation Palmer-Brown and Harvey Estates Brain Injury Award. Assessment of the Neuroprotective Properties of the amyloid precursor protein following brain injury.  $27,650: 1 year award.
2008 - 2010 Co-chief investigator, Neurosurgical Research Foundation. Studying the role of the amyloid presursor protein (APP) in modulating neurotrauma. Van Den Heuvel C, Cappai R.
2008 - 2010 NHMRC Project Grant $570,000. Raised intracranial pressure after trauma: characterisation and development of pharmacological interventions. Vink R, Blumbergs PC, Van Den Heuvel C.   3 year award.
2007 - present Neurotrauma Research Program: $144,000. Optimisation of red/near-infrared light therapy for treatment of neurotrauma: a multi-centre collaborative approach. Chief Investigators: A/Prof Melinda Fitzgerald, A/Prof Nathan Hart, Prof Sarah Dunlop, Prof Jan Provis, Dr Riccardo Natoli, A/Prof Stuart Hodgetts, Prof Alan Harvey, Prof Robert Vink, A/Prof Corinna van den Heuvel.  $30,000: 1 year award.
2004 - 2005 Chief Investigator, University of Adelaide Small Grant. Assessment of the potential neuroprotective effects of soluble amyloid precursor protein a (sAPPa) following traumatic brain injury.  Van Den Heuvel C. $14,000: 1 year award
2003 Co-chief Investigator, University of Adelaide B1 Grant. Characterization of the amyloid precursor response following traumatic brain injury: neuroprotective or deleterious? Van Den Heuvel C, Vink R.$ 14,750: 1 year award.
2002 Co-Chief Investigator, Royal Adelaide Hospital Project Grant.  Establishing optimal methods to restore magnesium homeostasis as a therapeutic intervention following diffuse traumatic brain injury. Vink R, Van Den Heuvel C. $15,000: 1 year award
2001 Chief Investigator, University of Adelaide B3 Grant.  Does magnesium sulphate affect APP mRNA expression within 2 hours following traumatic brain injury. Van Den Heuvel C. $11,000: 1 year award
2000 Co-chief investigator, Neurosurgical Research Foundation Grant.  Axonal injury following traumatic brain injury. Jones N, Blumbergs PC, Van Den Heuvel C.   $15,000: 1 year award
2000 Co-Chief Investigator, Australian Research Council (ARC) Small Grant.  Quantitation Of The APP mRNA Response To Traumatic Brain Injury Using Real Time Quantitative PCR. Van Den Heuvel C, Blumbergs, PC.  $10,000: 1 Year Award
    

Program Director - Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences

Course Coordinator Pathol 3101 - Essentials of Pathology

Teaches into other courses within Bachelor of Nursing, MBBS and Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences

 

 

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

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2025 Principal Supervisor A retrospective longitudinal analysis of trends in homicides presenting for coronial autopsy at FSSA, supplemented by coronial and vehicular data from the NCIS and CASA in South Australia between 2003-2022 Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Tasmyn Hope Lynch
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2020 - 2024 Principal Supervisor A retrospective analysis of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical substance-related coronial deaths in South Australia over 20 years Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Lilli Grace Stephenson
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor An Assessment of the Factors Associated with Fatal Outcomes for Motor Vehicle Occupants in South Australia (1981-2020) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Siobhan O'Donovan
    2017 - 2018 Co-Supervisor The Effectiveness of Magnesium for Neuroprotection during Global Cerebral Ischemia Associated with Cardiac Arrest or Cardiac Surgery Master of Clinical Science Master Full Time Dr Anna Catherine Mauri Pearce
    2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Investigating Amyloid Precursor Protein Derivatives As Novel Therapeutic Agents Following Traumatic Brain Injury Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Stephanie Lauren Plummer
    2012 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Suicide in South Australia: specific features, trends and reasons for disparities in numbers Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Amy Austin
    2008 - 2013 Co-Supervisor Development of Novel Pharmacological Treatments for Intracranial Pressure Using Appropriate Experimental Models of Traumatic Brain injury Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Levon Gabrielian
    2008 - 2011 Co-Supervisor The Role of the Amyloid Precursor Protein following Traumatic Brain Injury Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time APrf Frances Corrigan
    2007 - 2011 Co-Supervisor Characterising the role of the neuropeptide substance P in experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Christine Barry
    2006 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Characterisation of Substance P and Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin Channel Messenger RNA and Protein Expression in Acute and Chronic Neurological Disorders Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Naomi Cook
    2003 - 2006 Co-Supervisor The Effects of the Neuropeptide Substance P on Outcome Following Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr James Donkin
  • Position: Head of School
  • Phone: 83135109
  • Email: corinna.vandenheuvel@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83135384
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Helen Mayo North
  • Org Unit: School of Biomedicine

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