Two The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers – one dedicated to improving outcomes for children with ear infections and hearing loss, and the other to suicide prevention among high risk young people – have been named as finalists in the 2020 Western Australian Premier’s Science Awards.
Dr Chris Brennan-Jones – a Senior Research Fellow and Head of Ear Health at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids, and a paediatric audiologist at Perth Children’s Hospital – is a finalist for Woodside Early Career Scientist of the Year.
Dr Brennan-Jones developed Ear Portal, a multi-award-winning telehealth program that is cutting the waiting time for specialist treatment for middle ear disease, or otitis media (OM), from two years to just ten days.
OM affects 650,000 children each year and can cause permanent hearing loss, which is entirely preventable when treated early. Dr Brennan-Jones’ research has shown that more than 50 per cent of Aboriginal children are affected by OM – an unacceptable statistic which has spurred him to focus his work on improving access to health services for these children and their families.
He is also using cutting-edge technology to change clinical practice and treatment of OM, and is leading the Urban Aboriginal Ear Health program with guidance from Aboriginal Health researchers.
Penelope Strauss – a PhD candidate and Research Fellow in Youth Suicide Prevention within the Youth Mental Health team at The Kids – is a finalist for ExxonMobil Student Scientist of the Year.
Ms Strauss’s research so far has predominantly focused on highlighting and improving the mental health of trans and gender diverse young people. As part of her research she led the ground-breaking Trans Pathways Study – the largest study ever conducted into the mental health of trans young people in Australia and the first to include the experiences of parents of trans young people.
The research provided a comprehensive snapshot into the wellbeing of trans and gender diverse young Australians, providing a critical evidence base that had not previously existed. Amongst other important findings, the study revealed that trans young people are at high risk for suicide and approximately 10 times more than other young Australians to experience serious depression and anxiety.
Ms Strauss has since used these findings to shape further research, including developing strategies to decrease suicidality in trans and gender diverse young people, and LGBTIQA+ young people more broadly.
The Kids Research Institute Australia Director Professor Jonathan Carapetis congratulated Dr Brennan-Jones and Ms Strauss, saying each was working in novel and critical ways to improve outcomes for children and young people.
“We are extremely proud of the high quality of the many young and emerging researchers we have at The Kids,” Professor Carapetis said.
“Chris and Penelope personify the Institute’s goal of making a difference to the lives of children and families. Each, although relatively early in their careers, is doing exactly that through their research – drawing attention to challenges faced by children and young people and then actively working to make a difference.”