Sarah Hammond
School of Public Health
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Sarah Hammond is an Adelaide based researcher with a strong focus on early childhood development. She holds a diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, and completed her Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences in 2020, followed by First Class Honours in 2021 under Associate Professor Kathy Gatford at the Robinson Research Institute, where she studied how maternal asthma may affect fetal airway development; predisposing asthma development in children. In 2022, Sarah commenced a PhD at the University of South Australia under the supervision of Professor Janna Morrison in the Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group. Her research explores how fetal growth restriction (FGR)—a condition resulting from reduced oxygen and/or nutrient supply in the womb—affects the development of the hippocampus, a critical brain structure for memory, learning, and emotional regulation. By using preclinical models, Sarah aims to identify how impaired brain development associated with FGR may contribute to long-term cognitive and behavioural issues in affected children. In 2025, Sarah joined the BetterStart Group at the University of Adelaide, bringing together her scientific expertise and background in early childhood education and care to support the group’s overarching mission: understanding how to give infants, children, young people, and families the best possible start in life.Sarah has also been actively engaged in teaching at the University of Adelaide, and has been teaching into first year Human Anatomy & Physiology courses since 2021. In recognition of her academic potential, she was awarded the Healthy Development Adelaide PhD Excellence Award in 2022.
Sarah completed her Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences in 2020, followed by First Class Honours in 2021 under Associate Professor Kathy Gatford at the Robinson Research Institute, where she studied how maternal asthma may affect fetal airway development; predisposing asthma development in children.
In 2022, Sarah commenced a PhD at the University of South Australia under the supervision of Professor Janna Morrison in the Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group. Her research explores how fetal growth restriction (FGR)—a condition resulting from reduced oxygen and/or nutrient supply in the womb—affects the development of the hippocampus, a critical brain structure for memory, learning, and emotional regulation. By using preclinical models, Sarah aims to identify how impaired brain development associated with FGR may contribute to long-term cognitive and behavioural issues in affected children.
In 2025, Sarah joined the BetterStart Group at the University of Adelaide, bringing together her scientific expertise and background in early childhood education and care to support the group’s overarching mission: understanding how to give infants, children, young people, and families the best possible start in life.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2025 - ongoing Research Academic University of South Australia 2021 - 2025 Teaching Lecturer University of Adelaide -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2018 Award Adelaide Graduate Award University of Adelaide Australia - -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2022 - 2025 University of South Australia Australia Doctor of Philosophy - Medical Sciences 2021 - 2021 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (Honours) 2018 - 2020 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences 2016 - 2017 TAFE SA Australia Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care -
Certifications
Date Title Institution name Country 2020 Adelaide Graduate Award University of Adelaide Australia -
Research Interests
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Journals
Lab Demonstrator - Human Anatomy and Physiology (University of Adelaide) March 2021 - Present
Tutor - Human Anatomy and Physiology (University of Adelaide) July 2021 - Present
Connect With Me
External Profiles
