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Optimising Future Human Health By Optimising Birth Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,005.00
Summary
Laureate Professor Smith received an AM for his research on human pregnancy and contributions to Indigenous maternal health. His research has dramatically expanded in the last 5 years to include stillbirth, viral infections during pregnancy, early detection of renal disease, the development of targeted nanoparticles for delivery of therapeutics to the uterus, and data-linkage to test the impact of antenatal care. His research seeks to optimise the health of pregnant women and their children.
Improving Outcomes In Pregnancies Complicated By Asthma: Understanding Mechanisms And Defining Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
Asthma is a common disease to complicate pregnancy and it is important to identify ways of effectively managing the disease to ensure the fetus has the best possible outcome. The current research focusses on this disease and looks at ways of improving management in pregnancy and improving outcomes for the baby.
Mechanistic And Translational Studies In Female Reproductive Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
The womb is essential for a health pregnancy. This research aims to determine how the womb interacts with embryos to ensure a healthy pregnancy forms. Cells in the womb can also grow abnormally and result in endometrial cancer. New treatments for endometrial cancer will also be tested in this research.
I am a reproductive biologist specialised in the cell and molecular biology of placental development in pregnancy. I focus on determining the molecular mechanisms that govern placental invasion, growth and function and how these are altered in defective placentation which underlies common complications of pregnancy that can be life threatening to the mother and her baby compromising a healthy start to life. I am developing screening tests to identify couples at risk to improve patient care.
Developmental Programming: Mechanisms And Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
Disturbances during pregnancy can impact on developmental processes and result in increased risk of disease in later life. This project will examine the impact of perturbations such as maternal stress or alcohol consumption on the development of the placenta and fetal kidney. By gaining an understanding of how these organs are affected by prenatal insults, we are likely to be able to develop more effective intervention strategies to ensure all babies receive a healthy start to life.