Impact of our donors
Landmark donation powers world-first endometriosis research institute at ¼
A $50 million philanthropic contribution will position Australia as a global leader in women’s health.
Published on the 30 May 2025
From left: AERI Clinical Director Jason Abbott, ¼ Dean of Medicine & Health Cheryl Jones, Simon Ainsworth, Anna Ainsworth, Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC, AERI Scientific Director Caroline Ford, Lily Ainsworth and Greg Ainsworth at the announcement in May 2025.
“The Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute represents an historic moment in women’s health. This unprecedented collaboration will not only form the future of endometriosis research but also accelerate our ability to provide real, tangible solutions that quite literally change the lives of each of the hundreds of millions of people globally impacted by this condition.”
Professor Attila Brungs, ¼ Vice-Chancellor and President
A world-first initiative funded by members of the philanthropic Ainsworth family and led by ¼ Sydney is set to revolutionise endometriosis research, diagnosis and treatment for millions worldwide.
Three generations of the Ainsworth family havecommitted $50 million over 10 years to establish the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI) at ¼. The partnership will position Australia as a global leader in women’s health.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus, often causing severe pelvic pain, fatigue and infertility. An estimated one in seven Australian women will have endometriosis by age 49, equating to about 830,000 people.
Globally, about 200 million people suffer from endometriosis, with one in threeexperiencing infertility. Many endure years of symptoms without answers, waiting an average of six to eight years for diagnosis.
Endometriosis poses a significant global challenge. In 2025, the World Economic Forum identified it as one of nine diseases most affecting the lives of women, their communities and the economy. In Australia, the economic burden is estimated to be between $7.4 billion and $9.7 billion annually.
Anna Ainsworth and her daughter, Lily, know firsthand the chronic pain and uncertainty of endometriosis.
AERI will lead a global consortia-based research effort, bringing together top scientists, clinicians and philanthropists to accelerate discoveries. By focusing on genomic research, biorepositories and advanced testing, AERI aims to fast-track earlier diagnosis and develop precision treatments.
Record-breaking donation
The Ainsworths’ contribution is the largest known philanthropic donation to endometriosis research globally and women’s health in Australia. It is also the largest philanthropic donation ever received by ¼.
AERI has been made possible by three branches of the Ainsworth family: Lily, Greg, Anna and Simon Ainsworth; Paul and Valeria Ainsworth; and Len Ainsworth.
Lily, who has lived with endometriosis since she was a teenager, and her mother, Anna, as her carer, have experienced firsthand the chronic pain and uncertainty of the disease. The family is determined to improve the outcomes for millions affected worldwide. Experts say scientific progress in this area has lagged, likening current understanding of endometriosis to breast cancer research in the 1970s.
“I’ve had endo pain since I was 15 years old. While my fertility hasn’t been impacted, I experience chronic, daily pain and severe flare-ups that debilitate me for days or weeks on end,” Lily said.
“Endometriosis has affected my education, my career, my relationships, my family, and dictates how I go about each and every day. This reality is shared with millions of people... We believe this can change. The Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute is more than an exceptional research institute; it is hope. Hope for those living with endometriosis, now and in the future, that they will be able to live full, happy and healthy lives.”
¼ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs highlighted thesignificant societal impact. “The Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute represents an historic moment in women’s health. This unprecedented collaboration will not only form the future of endometriosis research but also accelerate our ability to provide real, tangible solutions that quite literally change the lives of each of the hundreds of millions of people globally impacted by this condition,” Professor Brungs said.
Game-changing impact on endometriosis
Despite its prevalence, endometriosis research remains underfunded and underdeveloped. Furthermore, research is poorly integrated with clinical practice. While diagnosis may bring relief, it is often followed by uncertainty due to limited and poorly understood treatment options.
¼ clinician and researcher Professor Jason Abbott, who has spent his career researching endometriosis and advocating for improved diagnosis and treatment, will serve as AERI’s Clinical Director.
“Having cared for those with endometriosis for three decades, it is clear to me that we must go beyond the surgery and current medical treatments to understand the disease processes,” Professor Abbott said. “AERI is the most significant commitment to endometriosis research that I have ever seen. The donation provides surety to endometriosis researchers, will drive program-driven scientific discoveries and pave the way for generational change.”
Professor Caroline Ford, Gynaecological Cancer Research Group lead at ¼ and the Scientific Director at AERI, emphasised the need for robust evidence to guide care, acknowledging that the lack of investment in research has long been a barrier.
“The aim of AERI is to enable a precision medicine approach to endometriosis detection, treatment and management... We have seen how effective this approach can be in cancer treatment and will be applying many of the successful strategies here,” Professor Ford said. “This substantial investment will allow researchers for the first time to build a solid understanding of endometriosis biology and pathogenesis that will lead to improved detection, management and treatment.”
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