The Children’s Lung Health team aims to help all kids breathe better, from infancy through to early adult life.
Our research focuses on three broad areas:
Examining childhood lung disease
The team seeks to gain a greater understanding of a variety of lung diseases including asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic lung disease of prematurity and neuromuscular diseases. We are also interested in the impact of inflammation and infection on lung function. Research in this area involves determining the most appropriate methods to assess lung function depending on disease type and age of the child. We are also interested in the detection of sensitive biological markers to identify and prevent the progression of lung disease.
Tracking lung growth and development from infancy to early adulthood
By tracking lung health from birth through childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, the team aims to maximise opportunities to prevent the development and/or improve the management of chronic lung diseases later in life. This involves examining the impact of neonatal factors, low lung function and respiratory symptoms on long-term respiratory outcomes.
Research Translation
Central to the team’s research is expanding the evidence base for international guidelines to improve the clinical management of childhood respiratory diseases. The team fosters local, national, and international collaborations to ensure the most relevant research questions are being asked and the community are actively engaged in research activities. This helps facilitate rapid and effective implementation of research outcomes.
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Featured Projects
Many Healthy Lungs
In partnership with Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service and the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, we aim to improve Aboriginal lung health by determining for the first time the baseline lung function of Aboriginal Australians.
October 2018
Developing sensitive endpoints for respiratory disease progression in children with neuromuscular disease
We hope that through earlier diagnosis and treatment of muscle weakness during sleep, we can prevent future lung failure in children with neuromuscular disorders.
Preterm Paediatric Inhaled Corticosteroids Intervention (PICSI)
Understanding if ongoing inflammation in the lungs contributes to the poor lung health experienced by some children who were born preterm.
The next generation of impact in cystic fibrosis
Lung damage in children with CF occurs much earlier than previously thought, and proving this is related to the decline that occurs later will create new paradigms for prevention and treatment.
Team leader
BMedSci (hons), PhD
BSc (Hons), PhD
Co-Head, Children's Lung Health
Team members (17)
BSc (hons), PhD, MBiostat
PhD, MSc, BSc
BSc (Hons), PhD Candidate
BSc (hons)
Tiffany Bradshaw
Research Assistant
Denby Evans
Research Assistant and PhD Student
Dr James Gibbons
Respiratory Fellow (PCH) and PhD Student
Naomi Hemy
Senior Project Coordinator
Sally McCappin
Research Assistant
Dimpal Patel
PhD Student
Grace Pettigrew
Research Assistant
Rhea Urs
Research Officer and Medical Student
Dr Andrew Wilson
Respiratory Physician (PCH) and Honourary Research Associate
Dr Adelaide Withers
Respiratory Physician (PCH) and MPhil Student
Samantha McLean
Research Assistant
Michael Beaven
PhD Student
Featured projects
PELICAN: Prematurity’s Effects on the Lungs in Children and Adults Network
The PELICAN (Prematurity’s Effects on the Lungs in Children and Adults Network) Clinical Research Collaboration was launched by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) in 2020
The next generation of impact in cystic fibrosis
Lung damage in children with CF occurs much earlier than previously thought, and proving this is related to the decline that occurs later will create new paradigms for prevention and treatment.
Other projects
Western Australia Paediatric Bronchiectasis Cohort Preterm Paediatric Inhaled Corticosteroids Intervention (PICSI) Developing sensitive endpoints for respiratory disease progression in children with neuromuscular disease Personalised, machine learning based prediction of asthma in children Predicting long term lung health outcomes in young adults born very preterm (WALHIP 19 year old follow-up) LIFECYCLE - Early Life Stressors and LifeCycle Health All Children's Lung Health projects