Investigating Autism Spectrum Disorder: Causes And Efficacious Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a growing public health concern, but we know little about the causes nor treatments for the condition. During the period of this Fellowship I will seek to make significant inroads into these unknowns, by performing large-scale international research into the genetic, biochemical and neurological causes of ASD, and conducting a series of clinical treatment trials in collaboration with research groups from across the world.
I am an epidemiologist using high quality data collections and novel methods to generate new knowledge that will help reduce the impact or prevalence of birth defects and related disability.
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.
Early Childhood Mental Health: Pathways, Treatment, Access, And Community Literacy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$849,540.00
Summary
Many causes, warning signs, and opportunities for intervention for mental health problems are evident in early childhood. This project will conduct research and innovative practice that will transform our understanding of mental health problems in early childhood, including improved understanding of the environmental/biological mechanisms, methods to best target and disseminate effective early intervention, and improve community literacy and reduce stigma for these children and their parents.
Innovative Methods For Assessing And Intervening On Children’s Sedentary Behaviour And Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$745,823.00
Summary
Very little is known about the independent health consequences of time spent sitting among children. This is in part because of the challenges of assessing these behaviours. In addition, evidence of the effectiveness of strategies to reduce children’s sitting time is lacking. This fellowship will use cutting-edge techniques to objectively assess children’s sitting time and will also examine the effectiveness of interventions to reduce sitting time and promote health.
Addressing Evidence-practice Gaps To Improve Maternal And Child Health Outcomes In Vulnerable Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
The overall goal of this fellowship program is to contribute to ‘closing the gap’ in maternal and child health outcomes in Indigenous, refugee and other vulnerable and socially disadvantaged population groups by working at the interface of policy, health services and community to co-design and implement policy-relevant research needed to achieve sustained improvements in maternal and child health outcomes.
Leveraging Women’s Health Data Resources To Reduce Chronic Disease Risk And Extend Healthspan
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
Chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis and asthma, pose serious risks for Australian women. Reproductive health is central to women’s use of health services across life and is linked with the risk of chronic diseases. This research will build on two decades of linked data in Australia’s leading study of women’s health. It aims to guide development of women’s use of reproductive and maternal health services as an opportunity to prevent chronic diseases and improve long-term health.
Improving The Outcomes Of Mothers And Babies Through Nutritional Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,409.00
Summary
Dr Makrides will undertake extensive investigations to determine optimal levels of a range of nutrients in the diet of pregnant women and preterm and term babies. The period from conception until 2 years after birth, the ‘first 1,000 days’, is designated by the World Health Organisation as the “window of opportunity” that is critical to ensuring a healthy start to life which in turn leads to improved long term health of the population.
Diseases of the 21st century are complex with environmental and genetic causes. At the interface of these is Epigenetics - factors not specified by DNA sequence that control genes. Recent data show much of the risk associated with disease is set early in life, even during the time in the womb. The MCRI CDDE laboratory has assembled teams of researchers of diverse expertise investigating epigenetics of human development and complex disease to hopefully prevent or reverse them early in life.
Christine Roberts’ research program uses the most advanced research methods to address new challenges in maternal and child health in a portfolio that extends from bench-to-bedside-to-policy. Four interrelated themes target: accurate identification of at-risk pregnancies; maternity care requirements to improve outcomes in future pregnancies; clinical trials to provide best evidence for obstetric practice; and an improved ability to respond rapidly to emerging issues in policy and practice.