Three outstanding The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers have been named finalists in the 2016 Premier's Science Awards.
Professor Carol Bower, has been nominated as Scientist of the Year for more than 30 years of pioneering work helping to prevent birth defects. Professor Bower was part of the international team that confirmed the link between maternal intake of folate and the prevention of neural tube defects like spina bifida in babies. Professor Bower is now working in the area of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Dr James Fitzpatrick is a finalist in the Early Career Scientist of the Year category for his work in preventing, diagnosing and treating Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Dr Fitzpatrick is a clinical researcher and paediatrician who has made a profound impact on understanding FASD and has pioneered new intervention strategies including the implementation of the largest FASD intervention trial in the world, for 250 children in nine schools across the Fitzroy Valley, which has now run for five years.
And Tim Rosenow is a finalist for the Student Scientist of the Year category for his research into paediatric respiratory medicine. Mr Rosenow has led the development of a new way of measuring early lung disease in young children with cystic fibrosis, which is changing the way cystic fibrosis is monitored and treated, creating a more targeted and personalised approach.
The Kids Research Institute Australia Director, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, said the nominations were well deserved and evidence of the high calibre of researchers based at The Kids Research Institute Australia.
"Our researchers work in a broad range of areas at The Kids Research Institute Australia but they have one thing in common," Professor Carapetis said. "They are all working to improve the lives of children here in Western Australia, across the country and around the world."
"Being named a finalist in these prestigious Premier's Science Awards is a wonderful acknowledgement of the important work they are doing to help our kids."
The winners will be announced by the Premier in August.
Read the Minister's statement here.
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About the finalists:
Professor Carol Bower
Professor Carol Bower is a public health researcher and physician who, over more than 30 years, has made a profound impact on the health of Western Australian children.
More than 400 children in WA alone have avoided debilitating and deadly birth defects thanks to Carol's research and advocacy. Carol uncovered a link between low dietary folate and the risk of neural tube defects (such as spina bifida), instigated the world's first public health campaign to encourage folic acid supplement use before and during pregnancy, and researched and advocated policy to reduce neural tube defects. Ultimate success came in 2009 when the Australian Government mandated the fortification of bread-making flour with folic acid, which was shown in 2015, in conjunction with health promotion, to have reduced the prevalence of neural tube defects in Australia by 50%. Carol's research and advocacy stands proudly alongside the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of H pylori as important achievements from Western Australia that have improved health worldwide.
Carol is now uniting the scientific, justice, social services and health communities around Australia in a common effort to tackle Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, developing national diagnostic tools and informing the community about the dangers of alcohol during pregnancy.
Dr James Fitzpatrick
Dr James Fitzpatrick is a clinical researcher and paediatrician who has made a profound impact on our understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and pioneering new intervention strategies.
Despite only completing his PhD studies in 2015, James is already regarded as an authority in FASD research and treatment. He is the Director of Alcohol and Pregnancy and FASD research at The Kids Research Institute Australia, and the founding Chair of the Australian FASD Clinical Network. He has played a key role in generating essential data on FASD prevalence in Australia, particularly in WA communities. His PhD studies into FASD prevalence has triggered multiple inquiries, resulting in action and recommendations from federal and state governments. Crucially, James' research and advocacy has led to FASD being recognised in the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
James' research has the potential to improve the lives of people living with FASD by receiving appropriate diagnoses and support, while countless FASD cases will be prevented due to his pioneering interventions. His excellence as an early-career researcher is matched by his commitment as a paediatrician, establishing WA's first FASD diagnostic service 'PATCHES Paediatrics' to deliver high quality child development and early intervention services to hard-to-reach children and young people.
Tim Rosenow
Tim Rosenow is a PhD student at The Kids Research Institute Australia, working in the field of paediatric respiratory medicine. His research has resulted in a new method for measuring structural lung disease in infants and young children using chest CT scans. This method is the world's first age-appropriate measure of CF-related structural lung disease in children aged under 6. Its development means that clinical trials of new therapies that prevent lung disease are now possible for young children, who were previously excluded due to a lack of sensitive measurement techniques.. Tim's PhD research has led to the development of several clinical trials for infants and pre-schoolers with CF. He has already published two papers in the highest-rated respiratory journal, both of which were highlighted with an editorial. Tim has authored nine publications, holds a provisional patent for the method he developed, and has been invited to speak at both national and international conferences. Tim's research already has the ability to dramatically change clinical outcomes for children with CF, not just in Western Australia but around the world.
About The Kids Research Institute Australia
The Kids Research Institute Australia is one of the largest, and most successful medical research institutes in Australia, comprising a dedicated and diverse team of more than 500 staff and students.
We've created a bold blueprint that brings together community, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funders, who share our vision to improve the health and wellbeing of children through excellence in research.
The Institute is headed by leading paediatrician and infectious diseases expert Professor Jonathan Carapetis, with Founding Director Professor Fiona Stanley now Patron.
The Kids is independent and not-for-profit. The majority of funding comes from our success in winning national and international competitive research grants. We also receive significant philanthropic support from corporate Australia and the community.