This application will allow me to restructure my work to provide sufficient time to do full justice to the current and planned commitments of our Respiratory Research Group. Our research programme includes the immunopathology of chronic airway diseases; the epidemiology of respiratory disease (TAHS); clinical physiology technology to service these studies; respiratory clinical pharmacology; microbe-host interactions in CF and COPD; and EBM in chronic respiratory disease self-management .
I am a practising hospital physician and a trained scientist and am widely acknowledged at the world leader in my field of study, asbestos cancers. Our latest research discoveries have put us on the threshold of bold new approaches to curing the scourge of these cancers and finding better blood tests but this work now requires extra attention from me to bring it to fruition. A Practitioner Fellowship is an ideal way for me to continue to lead this exciting research.
Stephen Stick Practitioner Fellowship In Paediatric Respiratory Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,272.00
Summary
Fellowship will facilitate the further study of mechanisms of chronic childhood respiratory disease and strategies for intervention to reduce morbidity and improve quality of life for patients and families.
Improved Patient Outcomes By Early Intervention With Therapeutic Cooling For Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury, And By Optimising Patient Blood Transfusion Practice In Critically Ill Patients.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,450.00
Summary
First, a large multicentre trial (POLAR) will complement my previous successful trials in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and will establish whether active therapeutic cooling, commenced early after brain injury and continued in intensive care units, will achieve its promise of improving patient outcomes. Second, a national multicentre trial (TRANSFUSE) will establish whether transfusing blood units with a shorter than usual storage time will improve patient outcomes.
This Practitioner Fellowship will aim to improve outcomes in people with lung cancer. The clinical studies will focus on: 1. Using low dose CT scans to detect lung cancer at a very early stage. 2. Molecular tests to diagnose lung cancer earlier, and provide information that will be useful for deciding treatment 3. Using advanced techniques to diagnose small opacities in the lung
Translational Research On Malignant Pleural Effusion And Pleural Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,891.00
Summary
I am a leading researcher in pleural effusions (fluid build-up in the chest) from cancer and infection. I run a multicentre clinical trial team to answer important questions directly relevant to patient care, as well as a lab research group with proven record of discovery new treatment targets. This fellowship will capitalize on platforms I have built and determine best approach to remove effusions, understand etiologic roles of the fluid ultimately to find ways to stop fluid from forming.
I aim to understand the genetics of the epilepsies. Through detailed analysis of different types of epilepsy, and associated features such as intellectual disability and autism, I will describe new epilepsy syndromes, and together with gene discovery, implement novel targeted therapies. This translational program will transform clinical practice by informing diagnosis, prognostic and genetic counseling, and lead to targeted precision therapies to improve outcomes for each patient.
Limiting Tuberculosis Transmission And Improving The Care Of Affected Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,419.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is the biggest infectious disease killer on the planet. Drug-resistant TB poses a particular challenge in the Asia-Pacific region. My research will assist Australia to progress towards domestic TB elimination. It will improve the management of “difficult to treat” cases and help to safeguard the public against ongoing TB transmission. Work in neighbouring countries will help to contain the spread of drug-resistant TB and protect vulnerable young children.
Tackling Key Epidemiological And Basic Scientific Research Issues In Prion Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,109.00
Summary
Proposed Practitioner Fellowship research will simultaneously include epidemiological and basic scientific projects, emphasising human prion disease. Epidemiological research will involve large-scale studies to clarify genetic factors that influence susceptibility to developing prion disease, as well as clarify whether Alzheimer disease is transmissible, while basic scientific research will include determining the characteristics of the misfolded prion proteins causing neuronal disease.