Two Perth clinician-scientists have been recognised as national leaders in infectious disease research after being elected as Fellows of the esteemed Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
Professor Chris Blyth and Professor Asha Bowen – both researchers with Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, and paediatricians at Perth Children’s Hospital – were among 31 new Fellows officially inducted into the Academy in Adelaide this morning.
Professor Blyth, who is Head of the Wesfarmers Centre and a Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases at The University of Western Australia, was elected for his substantial contributions to health – informing international immunisation, infection prevention policy and practice.
His research and advocacy have driven changes to immunisation programs nationally and globally, particularly for influenza and pneumococcus. Professor Blyth’s more recent work has guided the launch of Australia’s first ever respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation program for young babies, resulting in a significant reduction in RSV-related hospital admissions.
Professor Asha Bowen OAM, Head of the Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention team at the Wesfarmers Centre and a Professor at The University of Western Australia, has been recognised for the wealth of new knowledge she has generated to improve skin health for Aboriginal children living in remote communities.
Her research methodologies, co-designed by Aboriginal researchers and community members, have been crucial in reducing the impact of painful skin infections and potentially life-threatening illnesses such as sepsis, rheumatic heart disease and kidney disease.
The Kids Research Institute Australia Director Professor Jonathan Carapetis, himself inducted into the Academy in 2014, said it was fantastic to see Professors Blyth and Bowen amongst a record number of seven Western Australians chosen as new Fellows in 2024.
“Chris and Asha have both made wonderful contributions to child health in Australia and around the world over many years – being appointed as Fellows of the Academy is suitable recognition for this great work,” Professor Carapetis said.
“Aside from their excellent research and clinical care of children with infectious diseases, they both recently played pivotal roles in advising on policy as well as supporting families during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Academy President Professor Louise Baur said new Fellows were elected by their peers through a competitive process which recognised their significant and continuing contributions to health and medical sciences.
“Our new Fellows have a truly exceptional body of work, with each of them considered international leaders in their respective fields,” Professor Baur said.
“Our Fellowship represents the breadth and diversity of Australia’s health and medical expertise, allowing us to draw on independent, expert and evidence-based advice to drive change and improve health for all.
“It’s wonderful to see a record number of Fellows join us from Western Australia, showcasing the incredible scientific research being undertaken there.”
See the Academy’s website for a full list of new Fellows and their citations