About us

Founded in Melbourne in 1926, our work has always been shaped by a combination of scientific ambition and genuine compassion. With 100 years of discovery behind us and over 600 staff, students and collaborators, we remain committed to that same purpose: turning world-class research into real-world impact.

Reshaping the face of healthcare

Our diverse team brings together cardiologists, diabetes physicians, laboratory scientists, epidemiologists, dietitians, nurse educators and digital health experts. Together, we're transforming how we prevent, diagnose and treat these conditions.

We're harnessing cutting-edge technologies in genomics, artificial intelligence and bioinformatics to deliver precision medicine. We're developing diagnostic tools that identify disease earlier. We're creating interventions that work better for diverse communities. And we're not just publishing research — we're turning breakthrough science into treatments, policies and programs that save lives today.

From the lab to your community

Beyond our research, we deliver health clinics and education programs that help thousands of people manage and prevent chronic conditions. This includes operating one of the largest diabetes clinics in the southern hemisphere.

This connection between research and care means our scientists understand the real challenges people face — and it means our patients benefit from the latest scientific advances, often years before they become standard practice.

Our headquarters sits within Melbourne's Alfred Research Alliance precinct, one of Australia's most prestigious medical research hubs, alongside the Alfred Hospital. Our purpose-built facility houses our research laboratories alongside specialist clinical services, creating a unique environment where discovery and care happen side by side.

Driven by purpose, powered by people

The Baker Institute was founded on the strength of a vision — and the generosity of people who believed in it. In 1926, Melbourne physician Dr John Fullarton Mackeddie dreamed of bringing the most advanced medical treatments to all Australians. That dream was made possible by philanthropists Thomas Baker, his wife Alice Baker and her sister Eleanor Shaw, whose gift of £20,000 established the Institute.

In the decades that followed, our researchers have delivered discoveries that changed medicine. In the 1940s, we provided foundational evidence of the two types of diabetes, revolutionising how the world understands and treats the condition. From the 1990s, our groundbreaking work on blood pressure transformed cardiovascular care globally.

Today, we're focused on the next chapter: accelerating the translation of research into practice to deliver better health outcomes for everyone affected by heart disease, diabetes and obesity.