Professor Cornish leads the Bone/Joint Research Laboratory in Department of Medicine, establishing many in vitro and in vivo models in cell and molecular biology to discover international patented novel growth-active factors. She has established a national centre of excellence of translational research and enabled a regenerative medicine programme in skeletal as well as cardiac valve tissue engineering and bone infections, working closely with clinicians and scientists supported by grants nationally and internationally from public-good and commercial sources. Her innovative research has influenced the commercial community, contributing to Fonterra and Tatua dairy companies establishing major lactoferrin plants for markets, particularly in Asia. Dr Cornish’s work has also influenced policy decisions within NZ in osteoporosis management and education.