Optimizing Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy To Support Hospital-in-the-home Program Across The Unique Environmental Conditions Of Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
This project aims to solve problems associated with stability and dosing of antibiotic infusions given to patients in their homes, to support decision making by doctors and regulators. Currently, there is a lack of adequate data that complies with contemporary requirements. We will study infusion preparation both in laboratory settings and in ‘real-life’ conditions while being used by patients. We will enhance the stability of antibiotic preparations and optimize doses for effective treatment.
Early Detection And Treatment Of Rheumatic Heart Disease In High Risk Communities Using Community-led Approaches For Active Case Finding, Education And Engagement In Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,752.00
Summary
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Early detection using an ultrasound of the heart (called an “echo”) can help children access treatment. Echo screening in remote communities needs active community participation and leadership in order to succeed. I will study new approaches to community-led echo screening to see if they are accurate enough, evaluate the impact of community involvement and describe outcomes for those diagnosed with RHD.
Patient-centred Volunteer Program For People With Dementia: A Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of The MyCare Ageing Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
The MyCare Ageing program provides hospitalised patients with dementia and/or delirium with tailored emotional and practical support via trained volunteers in hospital and in the transition home. This project will provide critical information on whether MyCare Ageing works to reduce future hospitalisations and prevent poor patient outcomes, the factors that impact on how the program is delivered in hospital and in the community, and whether the program is cost-effective.
Biology Of Speech Disorders: Advancing Diagnosis, Prognosis & Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,515,005.00
Summary
For 100 years, my field has focused on assessing and managing patients based on speech disorder symptomatology. We have ignored aetiology, preventing targeted care. My work will pioneer gene discovery to advance knowledge of the aetiology of human communication disorders, enabling targeted care to reduce disability. Proposed work will be directly translated to improve care and optimise outcomes in speech disorder via advancing detection, diagnosis and prognostic counselling of patients.
The Developing Microbiome As A Predictor And Modulator Of Mental Health Risk And Resilience: A Translational Gut-brain Axis Approach To Improving Childhood Mental Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Most psychological problems start to emerge in childhood or adolescence, likely because the brain is most vulnerable while it is still growing. The latest research suggests that brain health is intimately linked to the gut. Could bacteria in the gut contribute to risk of (or resistance to) mental health problems in children? This project will investigate this question and the information gathered will then be used to trial new, gut-based, approaches to protect children’s mental health.
Pathways To Vision Following Lesions Of The Primary Visual Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
Lesions due to stroke or trauma in the occipital lobe cause blindness, which can be complete or restricted to part of the visual field. My work has identified areas of the visual brain that remain active after such lesions. I want to find out if these areas can be used to partially restore vision. This project will study the potential roles of different surviving areas, how brain cells rewire their connections in response to damage, and how rehabilitation programs work at the cellular level.
Mapping Neurodevelopmental Disorders In A Zebrafish Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,760,520.00
Summary
The way in which the brain develops differently in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism is hard to reveal in humans, but can be addressed in a zebrafish model. Using cutting-edge imaging and computational techniques, this project will investigate how neural representations of the world develop differently between normal zebrafish and zebrafish mutant for a gene that causes autism. This will provide new insights into the mechanisms of altered circuit development in autism.
Early Life Exposures And Chronic Disease: Mechanisms And Preventative Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,714,215.00
Summary
The world is in the grips of an epidemic of chronic disease and exposure to pollution in early life is partly responsible. To change this situation we need to understand and mitigate the mechanisms linking early life pollution exposure to life-long disease risk. My research will provide direct evidence of how pollution increases disease risk and design and implement strategies to reduce this, with an emphasis on asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic respiratory disease.
The Role Of Preconception And Perinatal Substance Use And Misuse In Childhood Social, Emotional And Behavioural Problems
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,562,250.00
Summary
This project will use perinatal and preconception data from three long-running Australian studies that have tracked the health and wellbeing of several thousand participants prior to parenthood. The aim is to understand how parental histories of substance use, and patterns of use during pregnancy, and in early life, shape offspring social, emotional and behavioural outcomes across childhood. Results will inform new approaches to preventing substance-related harms within and across generations.
Appropriate growth of organs is essential for life and can go awry in diseases such as cancer. A crucial regulator of organ size and cancer that I co-discovered is the Hippo pathway. I aim to understand how this pathway relays information and controls gene expression to regulate organ size, and its role in mesothelioma and other human cancers. A better understanding of Hippo’s role in organ growth and cancer will allow it to be targeted for therapeutic benefit in human diseases.