Kate Mills
Research Officer
Working groups
Background
Kate is a Research Officer in Global Women's and Newborn's Health. She has a background in public health and international development.
In 2020, Kate completed a Master of Global Health, focussing on research interests such as gender equity and inclusion, access to healthcare, health system strengthening and health impacts of climate change. This included a qualitative research project exploring the linkages between women's health and climate change in the Pacific region.
Prior to her current role, Kate joined Burnet in 2020 as a Project Manager for large-scale Tuberculosis implementation and research projects in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Kate has also worked for several humanitarian and development organisations globally. This includes coordinating high-quality health, education and child protection programs for Save the Children and managing emergency response and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects with the Red Cross.
Qualifications
- 2020: Master Global Health, University of Manchester
- 2014: Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health), La Trobe University
- 2014: Bachelor of International Development, La Trobe University
Positions
- 2022: Research Officer, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health, Burnet Institute
- 2020: Project Manager, Tuberculosis Elimination and Implementation, Burnet Institute
- 2019: Pacific Programs Coordinator, Save the Children Australia
- 2018: Health Program Manager (Acting), Save the Children Vanuatu
- 2018: Specialist Support Delegate, IFRC WASH (Mass Sanitation) Emergency Response Unit
- 2017: Humanitarian Public Health Technical Unit Coordinator, Save the Children UK
- 2015: Asia Regional Program Assistant, British Red Cross
Awards
- 2025: Honourable Geoffrey Connard Travel Fellowship
- 2024: National Travel Fellowship
Burnet publications
View 7 moreMaternal gut microbiome interventions to improve maternal and perinatal health outcomes: Target product profile expert consensus and pipeline analysis
PLoS ONE
Kate Mills et al
Identifying and assessing the capacity and experience of trial sites in low- and middle-income countries for high-quality randomised drug trials in maternal and perinatal health
BMJ Global Health
Maureen Makama et al
Polyphenols for the Prevention or Management of Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Phi‐Yen Nguyen et al
Current projects
View 2 more
Characteristics of tools that predict pre-eclampsia risk: a new target product profile
This project will help people design and develop effective and affordable tools that more accurately predict pre-eclampsia in pregnant people.
Characteristics of tools that measure blood loss during caesarean delivery: a new target product profile
We're working on a document that describes the minimum and ideal characteristics of tools that measure blood loss during c-sections.
Characteristics of tools that predict preterm birth: a new target product profile
We've developed a document that describes characteristics of health products that could predict preterm birth.
Past projects
View 1 moreNew Target Product Profile for maternal gut microbiome and nutrition interventions
Burnet Institute and Concept Foundation have partnered to develop a new Target Product Profile (TPP) for maternal microbiome interventions, aiming to improve undernutrition and related maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes.
Target product profile for obstetric ultrasound devices
The market for ultrasound devices is rapidly expanding, particularly as technological advances allow for smaller, cheaper, and more portable devices to be developed.
WHO recommendations on antenatal corticosteroids and tocolytics
We supported updates to the World Health Organization’s recommendations on the use of certain medications to improve preterm birth outcomes.
News and features
Special focus on Thailand in Burnet Travel Awards
Funds totalling $140,000 have been shared among 22 Burnet Institute Travel Award winners for 2025, including a new and special award, the Princess Srinagarindra PhD Scholarship.
Exploring probiotic use for maternal gut health
A new Burnet study examined how probiotics could potentially treat gut-related conditions in pregnant women.
