Research impact

Autism

Key role in the development of national guidelines to assess and diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder in Australia

Cerebral palsy

Developed the first cerebral palsy register in Australia

Child disability

Broke the mould for how quality of life is measured in intellectual disability

Childhood brain cancer

Led trans-Tasman clinical study to validate a new diagnostic test for kids with brain cancer to better understand genomic characteristics of tumours

Childhood sarcoma

World-first immunotherapy gel applied inside wound after removal of solid tumours showing promising results in reducing recurrences

Cystic fibrosis

Led paradigm-changing discoveries that lung changes can be detected early in CF, changing life trajectories with early interventions

Cyber bullying

Developed Beacon – a cyber safety app for parents

Developmental delays

Game-changing early intervention program for children showing neuro-development delays

Ear infections

Nasal therapy to prevent childhood ear infections – which are the major cause of childhood hearing loss

Early years census

Led the development and adoption of first national census of early childhood development

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Developed and implemented a diagnostic tool for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Australia

Folate

Helped discover that folic acid in a mother’s diet before and during pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects

Healthy skin

Developed national healthy skin guidelines to guide diagnosis and treatment of skin sores, scabies and fungal infections

Infant leukaemia

Survival improvements of 50-80% using new immunotherapy in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapies

Malaria

Using cutting-edge geospatial modelling to track and monitor malaria to inform control interventions, policies and programs

Perioperative care

Developed chewable tablets giving children sensation of a full stomach to reduce stress of fasting before surgery

Play active

Evidence-based program of physical activity for childcare centres launched nationally

Rare and undiagnosed diseases

Pioneering genomic interrogation tool integrated into a national initiative, aiming to elevate diagnostic rates for rare diseases to over 70%

Respiratory disease

Demonstrated the important role of safe sun exposure and Vitamin D during pregnancy for the development of a baby’s lungs, brain and bones

Rheumatic fever

Developing a diagnostic test for RF instead of current diagnosis based on clinical features

Rheumatic heart disease

Developed a blueprint for eliminating RHD in Australia

RSV

Took part in two game-changing trials investigating a world-first RSV immunisation for babies. Our epidemiological research helped identify best immunisation targets for Australian-first immunisation program for babies

Screentime

World-leading study found toddlers exposed to screentime at home are hearing fewer words and making fewer vocalisations

Strep A vaccine

Leading the world in developing a platform to accelerate vaccines for Strep A

Suicide clusters

Spatial epidemiology used to identify suicide clusters

Superbugs

Opened WA’s first phage manufacturing facility which could see patients battling antibiotic-resistant superbugs have access to life-changing therapies

Type 1 diabetes

First in Australia to introduce insulin pump therapy to children with diabetes. Now at the international forefront of trials of an artificial pancreas

Vaccines

Conducted pivotal trials that contributed to the licencing of more than 10 childhood vaccines

Vapes

Found the majority of e-cigarettes contained known lung toxins and potential carcinogens

Virtual WA

Developed a digital replica of the State to inform public health policy on matters including asthma, obesity and suicide