Understanding The Factors Governing Susceptibility And Outcome In Childhood Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,122.00
Summary
This research seeks to understand why a minority of children are prone to severe and often life-threatening infections and inflammation. It focusses on infections both in preterm infants and in later childhood, which may also be relevant to understanding atherosclerosis. I am also interested in improving the health of recently arrived refugees, by conducting research that allows the development of evidence-based health interventions and developing national policy on refugee health.
Tuberculosis - Transmission, Drug Resistance And Strain Emergence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,652.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) kills nearly 2 million people each year. The emergence of drug resistant TB in the Asia-Pacific region pose a particular threat to Australia, due to frequent population mixing and ongoing TB transmission that may facilitate its spread within vulnerable communities. The proposed study will develop advanced tools to monitor and limit TB transmission within Australia. It will also provide novel insight into the evolution of the global TB epidemic and key factors that sustain it.
Understanding The Side Effects Of HAART In HIV Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Combination therapy has dramatically improved the life expectancy of people living with HIV. However, the long term side effects of these medications can be significant. Not everyone treated with the same drugs suffers similar side effects. This project seeks to unravel factors that lead a given individual to experience particular side effects. Understanding why medication side effects occur will be critical in finding safer ways to treat HIV.
Whole Human Genone Expression Analysis In CD4+ CD8+ T Cells And Monocytes At Various Stages Of HIV Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
HIV is an important global problem and what happens to human gene machinery at the level of different cell types upon contact with HIV remains unclear. We have a novel approach of analysing whole human genome expression in relation to HIV in diverse blood cell types. Identification and understanding of key genes will provide insights into how restoration of the host immune system could be achieved in the future in combating HIV infection and possible cure.
Pneumococcal disease is one of the biggest killers of children under 5 years of age worldwide, mostly in developing countries. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are highly effective at reducing pneumococcal disease however the duration of protection and the immune factors involved is unknown, particularly when fewer than the recommended number of doses are used. My fellowship aims to examine the key immune factors that provide long-term protection following pneumococcal vaccination.
Understanding Typical And Atypical Development Of The Infant Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
This project will apply advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to understand how brain abnormalities in preterm infants relate to their functional impairments. It aims to: develop new software to easily and accurately measure infant brain structures and tissues; understand the neurobiological basis for adverse outcomes, enabling diagnosis of high risk preterm infants; and identify MRI biomarkers to assess interventions designed to give Australian babies a healthier start to life.
Molecular Targets Involved In Human Muscle Atrophy And Hypertrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
Muscle wasting is a consequence of aging, cancer, HIV-AIDS, obesity and work-sport injuries. It increases the risk of injury, impacts on recovery and places an economic burden on our healthcare system. Atrogin-1 and STARS are muscle specific genes believed to regulate muscle mass. This project aims to determine how human atrogin-1 and STARS are regulated and how they can influence muscle loss. These studies may provide new targets for reducing human muscle wasting.
Improving Outcomes For Children With Chronic Illness Through Evidence-based Intervention, Improved Implementation And Enhanced Health Psychology Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,728.00
Summary
I lead Australasia's largest research group improving physical/mental health in families of children with cancer. With this CDF, I will broaden my work across child illnesses and internationally. I will introduce novel programs into the clinic/community, ensure technologies are delivered safely and improve health psychology research. I will increase collaboration across diseases and support emerging researchers. Evidence from this CDF will directly inform future child health services and policy.