ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9735-6609
Current Organisation
Central Queensland University
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Public Health and Health Services | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health | Health Informatics | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Information and Knowledge Systems | Regional Analysis and Development | Indigenous Health | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy | Biological (Physical) Anthropology | Infectious Diseases | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Archaeology | Health Promotion | Urban and Regional Planning | Anthropology | Specialist Studies in Education | Environmental Management | Mental Health | Anthropological Genetics |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Determinants of Health | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education | Curriculum not elsewhere classified | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Development and Welfare | Infectious diseases | Conserving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health | Residential Energy Conservation and Efficiency | Public health not elsewhere classified | Rural Water Evaluation (incl. Water Quality)
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2023
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 15-04-2021
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-402607/V1
Abstract: Introduction Pandemics such as COVID-19 are a serious public health risk for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, yet primary healthcare systems are not well resourced to respond to such urgent events. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal government advisory group recommended a rapid, tailored Indigenous response to prevent predicted high morbidity and mortality rates. This paper examines the efforts of one ACCHO, which in the absence of dedicated funding, pivoted its operations in response to COVID-19. Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service (Gurriny) is the only primary healthcare service in the discrete Indigenous community of Yarrabah, Far North Queensland. Methods The research was conducted at the request of the Chief Executive Officer of Gurriny. Grounded theory methods were used to s le and analyse transcripts of interviews with thirteen Gurriny staff and five others - Yarrabah and government leaders and community members, and 59 documents. Data were imported into NVIVO-12 and coded, with key concepts compared, organised into higher order constructs, then structured into a theoretical framework. Results Gurriny responded to COVID-19 by leading with local solutions to keep Yarrabah safe. Four key strategies were implemented: managing the health service operations, realigning services, educating and supporting community, and working across agencies. These strategies were enabled or hindered by five conditions: the governance and leadership capcity of Gurriny, relying on the health taskforce, locking the door, “copping it”, and (not) having resources. A year after the first case was experienced in Australia and on the eve of vaccine rollout to Indigenous communities, there have been no COVID-19 cases in Yarrabah. Discussion The success of the locally-led, holistic, comprehensive and culturally safe response of Gurriny suggests that such tailored place-based approaches to pandemics (and other health issues) are appropriate, but require dedicated resourcing. Key challenges related to fragmented and rapidly changing government processes, poorly coordinated communication and resource allocation channels, and bottlenecks in hierarchical funding approval processes. Conclusion The COVID-19 response in Yarrabah demonstrates the need for governance reform towards greater resourcing and support for local decision making.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-2013
DOI: 10.1111/AJR.12018
Abstract: Providing an emphasis on Indigenous health in medical undergraduate education is seen as a high priority by Australian medical organisations. A regional North Queensland medical school asked local Indigenous people to list personal attributes they want to see in graduate doctors who choose to practise in their remote community. This 2011 pilot study used a participatory action research design, with 13 local Indigenous health professionals, elders and community members from Mount Isa participating as co-researchers in 'Yarning Circles' discussing desired medical graduate attributes. Medical school co-researchers inductively extracted themes from the discussions via a qualitative 'grounded theory' approach. Eight major subtopics were identified by the Mount Isa Indigenous community around desired skills, knowledge and attitudes for graduate doctors: provision of quality patient care culturally appropriate communication medical knowledge culturally appropriate knowledge knowing the local health system a positive personality a positive attitude to working with Indigenous peoples and a desire to engage with the Indigenous community. Effective communications with Indigenous patients and working in remote Indigenous communities requires doctors to have appropriate clinical skills, medical knowledge, knowledge about how local health systems operate, familiarity with significant Indigenous health issues such as child safety and alcohol management, and positive attitudes to working with, learning about and providing an advocacy role for Indigenous peoples. Findings have implications for enhancing the professional behaviours and engagement of James Cook University medical students in Indigenous communities while on rural placement and after graduation, and for Australian medical and health practitioners more broadly.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.HEALTHPOL.2011.07.004
Abstract: To develop culturally appropriate and effective strategies to reduce the risk from pandemic influenza (H1N109) in rural and remote Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach that enabled communities and researchers to work together to develop understanding and take action to reduce risk. The H1N109 pandemic raised deep concerns and serious issues in all of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities involved in this project. The participants expressed distrust and scepticism in relation to current Australian health policies on containment and told the researchers that specific plans for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were needed. Respondents indicated that policies and plans had been developed without respectful engagement with communities. The strong and recurring themes that emerged from the PAR cycles were: the importance of family ways of life and realities of living in response to influenza and key messages to government and health services to focus on communication, understanding and respect. The essential work of reducing risk of pandemic influenza with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is not straightforward, but this project has highlighted a number of useful pathways to continue to journey along with communities. A number of strategies to reduce the spread of pandemic influenza in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities were identified. These strategies would make a good starting point for conversations with communities and health services. In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities the environment, community structures and traditions vary. Respectful engagement with communities is needed to develop effective policy.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 25-09-2014
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 31-03-2016
Abstract: Influenza is a rapidly spreading acute respiratory infection that causes profound morbidity and mortality. Established CD8 + T-lymphocyte (CTL) immunity directed at conserved viral regions provides protection against distinct influenza A viruses (IAVs). In this study, we show that public T-cell receptors (TCRs) specific for the most prominent human CTL epitope (M1 58–66 restricted by HLA-A*0201) are capable of recognizing sporadically emerging variant IAVs. We also identify the structural mechanisms that enable promiscuous TCR recognition in this context. Our analysis suggests that preexisting cross-reactive TCRs may limit the spread of newly emerging pandemic IAVs.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 04-05-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-05-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-021-23212-X
Abstract: Indigenous people worldwide are at high risk of developing severe influenza disease. HLA-A*24:02 allele, highly prevalent in Indigenous populations, is associated with influenza-induced mortality, although the basis for this association is unclear. Here, we define CD8 + T-cell immune landscapes against influenza A (IAV) and B (IBV) viruses in HLA-A*24:02-expressing Indigenous and non-Indigenous in iduals, human tissues, influenza-infected patients and HLA-A*24:02-transgenic mice. We identify immunodominant protective CD8 + T-cell epitopes, one towards IAV and six towards IBV, with A24/PB2 550–558 -specific CD8 + T cells being cross-reactive between IAV and IBV. Memory CD8 + T cells towards these specificities are present in blood (CD27 + CD45RA − phenotype) and tissues (CD103 + CD69 + phenotype) of healthy in iduals, and effector CD27 − CD45RA − PD-1 + CD38 + CD8 + T cells in IAV/IBV patients. Our data show influenza-specific CD8 + T-cell responses in Indigenous Australians, and advocate for T-cell-mediated vaccines that target and boost the breadth of IAV/IBV-specific CD8 + T cells to protect high-risk HLA-A*24:02-expressing Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations from severe influenza disease.
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 04-10-2021
Abstract: Indigenous populations worldwide are highly susceptible to influenza virus infections. Vaccination with inactivated virus is highly recommended to protect Indigenous populations, including Indigenous Australians. There is no study to date that assessed immune responses induced by the inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine in the Indigenous population. Vaccine recommendations are thus based on data generated for non-Indigenous populations and might not be representative for Indigenous people. We found robust antibody responses to influenza vaccination induced in Indigenous Australians, with activation profiles of cT FH 1 cells at the acute response strongly correlating with total change of antibody vaccine titers induced by vaccination. Our work strongly supports the recommendation of influenza vaccination to protect Indigenous populations from severe seasonal influenza virus infections and subsequent complications.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 07-03-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PPAT.1010337
Abstract: HLA-A*11:01 is one of the most prevalent human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), especially in East Asian and Oceanian populations. It is also highly expressed in Indigenous people who are at high risk of severe influenza disease. As CD8 + T cells can provide broadly cross-reactive immunity to distinct influenza strains and subtypes, including influenza A, B and C viruses, understanding CD8 + T cell immunity to influenza viruses across prominent HLA types is needed to rationally design a universal influenza vaccine and generate protective immunity especially for high-risk populations. As only a handful of HLA-A*11:01-restricted CD8 + T cell epitopes have been described for influenza A viruses (IAVs) and epitopes for influenza B viruses (IBVs) were still unknown, we embarked on an epitope discovery study to define a CD8 + T cell landscape for HLA-A*11:01-expressing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian people. Using mass-spectrometry, we identified IAV- and IBV-derived peptides presented by HLA-A*11:01 during infection. 79 IAV and 57 IBV peptides were subsequently screened for immunogenicity in vitro with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HLA-A*11:01-expressing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian donors. CD8 + T cell immunogenicity screening revealed two immunogenic IAV epitopes (A11/PB2 320-331 and A11/PB2 323-331 ) and the first HLA-A*11:01-restricted IBV epitopes (A11/M 41-49 , A11/NS1 186-195 and A11/NP 511-520 ). The immunogenic IAV- and IBV-derived peptides were % conserved among their respective influenza viruses. Identification of novel immunogenic HLA-A*11:01-restricted CD8 + T cell epitopes has implications for understanding how CD8 + T cell immunity is generated towards IAVs and IBVs. These findings can inform the development of rationally designed, broadly cross-reactive influenza vaccines to ensure protection from severe influenza disease in HLA-A*11:01-expressing in iduals.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 05-06-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-05-2020
DOI: 10.1111/IRV.12757
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-09-2023
DOI: 10.1111/IMCB.12691
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-05-2020
Publisher: Swansea University
Date: 05-09-2018
Abstract: IntroductionYoung people who have contact with the youth justice system are distinguished by a high prevalence of complex, co-occurring health problems, including known risk factors for preventable mortality. However, almost nothing is known about health outcomes for these young people after separation from the youth justice system. Objectives and ApproachWe aimed to examine the incidence, timing, causes and risk factors for death in justice-involved young people. We linked youth justice records in Queensland, Australia 1993-2016 (N=48,963) with adult correctional records and the National Death Index. We split the cohort into three subgroups: those who had ever been in detention (n=7,643), those supervised in the community but never detained (n=12,953), and those charged with an offence but never convicted (n=28,367). We calculated all-cause and cause-specific crude mortality rates (CMRs), and indirectly standardised mortality ratios (SMRs). We used Cox regression to identify static and time-varying risk factors for death. ResultsDuring a median of 13.6 years of follow-up there were 1,452 deaths (3.0%). The all-cause CMR was 2.2 (95%CI 2.1-2.3) per 1000 person-years, and the all-cause SMR was 3.1 (95%CI 3.0-3.3). The leading external causes of death were suicide (32% of all deaths), transport accidents (16%), accidental drug-related causes (13%), and violence (3%). In adjusted analyses, independent risk factors for all-cause mortality included being male (HR=1.4, 95%CI 1.2-1.6) and older ( =15 vs. vs. charge only HR=1.6, 95%CI 1.2-2.0) and subsequent incarceration as an adult (HR=1.8, 95%CI 1.4-2.4). Conclusion/ImplicationsYoung people who have contact with the youth justice system are at markedly increased risk of preventable death, after separation from that system. Efforts to improve long-term health outcomes for justice-involved youth have the potential to reduce preventable deaths in these highly vulnerable young people.
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 02-2010
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01979-09
Abstract: Flavivirus NS1 is a nonstructural protein involved in virus replication and regulation of the innate immune response. Interestingly, a larger NS1-related protein, NS1′, is often detected during infection with the members of the Japanese encephalitis virus serogroup of flaviviruses. However, how NS1′ is made and what role it performs in the viral life cycle have not been determined. Here we provide experimental evidence that NS1′ is the product of a −1 ribosomal frameshift event that occurs at a conserved slippery heptanucleotide motif located near the beginning of the NS2A gene and is stimulated by a downstream RNA pseudoknot structure. Using site-directed mutagenesis of these sequence elements in an infectious clone of the Kunjin subtype of West Nile virus, we demonstrate that NS1′ plays a role in viral neuroinvasiveness.
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 06-2015
DOI: 10.5694/MJA15.00112
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-05-2023
DOI: 10.1038/S41590-023-01508-Y
Abstract: High-risk groups, including Indigenous people, are at risk of severe COVID-19. Here we found that Australian First Nations peoples elicit effective immune responses to COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccination, including neutralizing antibodies, receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibodies, SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific B cells, and CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. In First Nations participants, RBD IgG antibody titers were correlated with body mass index and negatively correlated with age. Reduced RBD antibodies, spike-specific B cells and follicular helper T cells were found in vaccinated participants with chronic conditions (diabetes, renal disease) and were strongly associated with altered glycosylation of IgG and increased interleukin-18 levels in the plasma. These immune perturbations were also found in non-Indigenous people with comorbidities, indicating that they were related to comorbidities rather than ethnicity. However, our study is of a great importance to First Nations peoples who have disproportionate rates of chronic comorbidities and provides evidence of robust immune responses after COVID-19 vaccination in Indigenous people.
Publisher: Commissioned by the Equity and Diversity Office, Southern Cross University
Date: 2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-12-2019
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-019-13346-4
Abstract: Although influenza viruses lead to severe illness in high-risk populations, host genetic factors associated with severe disease are largely unknown. As the HLA-A*68:01 allele can be linked to severe pandemic 2009-H1N1 disease, we investigate a potential impairment of HLA-A*68:01-restricted CD8 + T cells to mount robust responses. We elucidate the HLA-A*68:01 + CD8 + T cell response directed toward an extended influenza-derived nucleoprotein (NP) peptide and show that only ~35% in iduals have immunodominant A68/NP 145 + CD8 + T cell responses. Dissecting A68/NP 145 + CD8 + T cells in low vs. medium/high responders reveals that high responding donors have A68/NP 145 + CD8 + memory T cells with clonally expanded TCRαβs, while low-responders display A68/NP 145 + CD8 + T cells with predominantly naïve phenotypes and non-expanded TCRαβs. Single-cell index sorting and TCRαβ analyses link expansion of A68/NP 145 + CD8 + T cells to their memory potential. Our study demonstrates the immunodominance potential of influenza-specific CD8 + T cells presented by a risk HLA-A*68:01 molecule and advocates for priming CD8 + T cell compartments in HLA-A*68:01-expressing in iduals for establishment of pre-existing protective memory T cell pools.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 11-2018
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2018-026462
Abstract: The age-adjusted rate of potentially preventable hospitalisations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is almost five times the rate of other Australians. Quality use of medicines has an important role in alleviating these differences. This requires strengthening existing medication reviewing services through collaboration between community pharmacists and health workers, and ensuring services are culturally appropriate. This Indigenous Medication Review Service (IMeRSe) study aims to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a culturally appropriate medication management service delivered by community pharmacists in collaboration with Aboriginal health workers. This study will be conducted in nine Aboriginal health services (AHSs) and their associated community pharmacies in three Australian states over 12 months. Community pharmacists will be trained to improve their awareness and understanding of Indigenous health and cultural issues, to communicate the quality use of medicines effectively, and to strengthen interprofessional relationships with AHSs and their staff. Sixty consumers (with a chronic condition regnant/within 2 years post partum and at risk of medication-related problems (MRPs) per site will be recruited, with data collection at baseline and 6 months. The primary outcome is the difference in cumulative incidence of serious MRPs in the 6 months after IMeRSe introduction compared with the 6 months prior. Secondary outcomes include potentially preventable medication-related hospitalisations, medication adherence, total MRPs, psychological and social empowerment, beliefs about medication, treatment satisfaction and health expenditure. The protocol received approval from Griffith University (HREC/2018/251), Queensland Health Metro South (HREC/18/QPAH/109), Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales (1381/18), Far North Queensland (HREC/18/QCH/86-1256) and the Central Australian HREC (CA-18-3090). Dissemination to Indigenous people and communities will be a priority. Results will be available on the Australian Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement website and published in peer-reviewed journals. ACTRN12618000188235 Pre-results.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-01-2014
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 06-05-2022
DOI: 10.3389/FIMMU.2022.812393
Abstract: CD8 + T cells are a pivotal part of the immune response to viruses, playing a key role in disease outcome and providing long-lasting immunity to conserved pathogen epitopes. Understanding CD8 + T cell immunity in humans is complex due to CD8 + T cell restriction by highly polymorphic Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) proteins, requiring T cell epitopes to be defined for different HLA allotypes across different ethnicities. Here we evaluate strategies that have been developed to facilitate epitope identification and study immunogenic T cell responses. We describe an immunopeptidomics approach to sequence HLA-bound peptides presented on virus-infected cells by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Using antigen presenting cell lines that stably express the HLA alleles characteristic of Indigenous Australians, this approach has been successfully used to comprehensively identify influenza-specific CD8 + T cell epitopes restricted by HLA allotypes predominant in Indigenous Australians, including HLA-A*24:02 and HLA-A*11:01. This is an essential step in ensuring high vaccine coverage and efficacy in Indigenous populations globally, known to be at high risk from influenza disease and other respiratory infections.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-08-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-11-2015
DOI: 10.1038/ICB.2015.93
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-05-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2016
Publisher: Aboriginal Policy Studies
Date: 03-04-2018
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to document the knowledge and experiences of healthcare professionals and researchers in Australia about the barriers to controlling Strongyloides stercoralis in Australian Indigenous communities. Qualitative research methods were used to conduct in-depth semi-structured interviews, which were digitally recorded, transcribed, and participant-checked. Data were thematically analysed to identify significant themes. Five major themes were identified:1) Barriers to health/treatment ) Access to healthcare ) Policy ) Learning opportunity and5) Ideas for intervention.The findings suggest that Australian Indigenous communities will continue to suffer increased morbidity and mortality due to a lack of control or prevention of Strongyloides stercoralis. Issues such as institutional racism, improvements to health promotion, education, socioeconomic determinants, and health care system policy and procedures need to be addressed. This study identifies several direct implications for Indigenous health:The need for increased knowledge and understanding of the risks to health for Indigenous community members The need for prevention policy development for neglected tropical diseases in Indigenous communities The need for increased knowledge and understanding of the treatment, diagnosis, and healthcare access concerning Strongyloides stercoralis for health professionals and policymakers who work within Indigenous health The need to raise awareness of systematic institutional racism in the control and prevention of neglected tropical diseases in Indigenous communities andThe need for a health promotion framework that can provide the basis for multiple-level interventions to control and prevent Strongyloides in Indigenous communities.
Start Date: 2014
End Date: 2023
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2019
End Date: 2023
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2018
End Date: 2020
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2017
End Date: 2012
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2016
End Date: 2012
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2016
End Date: 2012
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2016
End Date: 2012
Funder: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2014
End Date: 2017
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2013
End Date: 2015
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2013
End Date: 2012
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2008
End Date: 2012
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2016
End Date: 2020
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2018
End Date: 2021
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2010
End Date: 2012
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2009
End Date: 2010
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 08-2016
End Date: 08-2022
Amount: $178,464.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 02-2018
End Date: 12-2023
Amount: $401,573.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 04-2015
End Date: 06-2018
Amount: $241,366.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 06-2015
End Date: 12-2018
Amount: $740,880.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 07-2023
End Date: 01-2026
Amount: $448,440.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 04-2009
End Date: 12-2015
Amount: $150,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity