Improving The Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention Of Infectious Diseases In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,410,857.00
Summary
I am a clinician scientist whose research team bridges the gap between laboratory and clinical research to reduce the impact of childhood infectious diseases worldwide. The two main themes within my research program are: 1. Improving the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis (TB) in resource-poor settings. 2. Understanding how BCG, the vaccine used to protect against TB, reduces other childhood illnesses, including non-TB infections, allergies, eczema and asthma.
Creating An Empirically Based Classification System For Mental Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Mental disorders are typically diagnosed using a set of strictly agreed diagnostic criteria. For example, in the DSM-5 a major depression diagnosis requires at least five of nine symptom criteria to be met. However, the DSM-5 is now widely agreed to have important limitations for the work of researchers and clinicians. My research will overcome those limitations by completing a data-driven classification system based on the patterns in the ways people experience symptoms of mental illness.
Pathogenic Repeat Expansions In Ataxia: Advancing Gene Discovery And Genetic Diagnosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Hereditary ataxia is a severe neurological disorder that results in impaired coordination and balance and affects 1 in 20,000 Australians. Ataxias are often caused by complex genetic mutations called repeat expansions (RE), which are difficult to detect. Therefore, genetic diagnosis of ataxia remains limited and poorly accessible, leading to a gap in clinical care. In this study, we will utilise modern advances in genetic sequencing technology to diagnose and discover ataxias caused by REs.
Comparative Effectiveness Of Breast Tomosynthesis And Mammography In Real-world Population Screening: Evidence To Underpin And Improve Breast Cancer Screening
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,851,430.00
Summary
This research addresses key evidence gaps in breast cancer screening by investigating tomosynthesis (3D mammography) versus standard 2D mammography screening to establish the effectiveness of tomosynthesis in Australia and internationally, including impact on cancers not detected at screening that progress clinically. Large-scale studies will be done in real world screening services including a prospective comparative study planned collaboratively with BreastScreen to guide screening policy.
Translating Molecular Pathology Into Cancer Diagnostics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,285,520.00
Summary
Precision oncology, the treatment of cancer patients selected with a particular molecular characteristic (biomarker) matched to a therapy, has transformed the treatment of cancer patients. However, many biomarkers used for clinical care are not reliable and do not perform their role. I will translate new research tests from fundamental discovery, clinical trials and the development of novel diagnostics using innovative high throughput laboratory technologies to enhance patient outcomes.
An In Vitro Pipeline For Liquid Biopsy Biomarkers For Cancer Diagnosis And Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,764,215.00
Summary
A droplet of blood contains information whether a person has cancer, the stage of the cancer and how their response to treatment. The proposed research will employ ultrasensitive detection technologies to analyse so-called biomarkers released from cancer cells. We will use lab-based models of cancer, generated with a 3D bioprinter, to learn what biomarkers tell us about cancer type and response to drugs. This knowledge is urgently needed for early cancer detection and better cancer treatment.
Systems-based Study, Intervention, Diagnosis And Control Of Gastrointestinal Parasites
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,538,220.00
Summary
Gastrointestinal parasites cause billions of infections and hundreds of thousand of deaths globally each year. Even in developed countries, these parasites remain an important public health risk, through the cost of their control, the acute impacts of infection and their contribution to post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue. My team employs cutting-edge methods to improve their diagnosis, surveillance, treatment and control.
HIV incidence remains exceptionally high in young South African women. I will leverage samples collected during two funded clinical studies in South Africa to investigate the relationships between female reproductive tract inflammation, microbiome communities and function, contraceptive use and HIV acquisition. This study will improve our understanding of the factors that influence HIV infection in this key population, as well as HIV incidence globally.