Health Research Grant Recipients

Towards precision treatment of mental illness in youth: providing new therapeutic options and harnessing individual differences to improve and personalise treatment of depression.

Chief Investigator — A/Prof Jennifer Rodger (Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science)

The Heavy Metal Tooth Fairy Project

Chief Investigator — Dr Christine Jefferies-Stokes (UWA: Rural Clinical School of WA)

WA Early-Career Child Health Researcher Fellowships Program

Chief Investigator — Mr Graham Dowland (BrightSpark Foundation)

Dr Zoe Bradfield (Curtin University)

Improving the Health of WA Children through better birth-days

Dr Gina Trapp (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)

Feeding the Future: Improving children’s nutritional health and wellbeing through innovative food environment interventions

Dr Janessa Pickering (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)

New ways to prevent Rheumatic Heart Disease in children

A/Prof Francis Mitrou (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)

Preventing deep and persistent disadvantage, reducing mental health problems in young people, and improving the health, education, community and justice outcomes for Aboriginal children and families in Western Australia

Dr Thomas losifidis (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)

Enhancing airway repair to prevent respiratory deterioration in children with asthma

Dr Jonatan Leffler (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia)

Improving clinical care by identifying how sex hormones change the immune system

Dr Julie Hilbert (Murdoch University)

Harnessing machine learning & proteomics to develop sepsis point-of-care diagnostics for children

Prof Lisa Wood (University of Notre Dame Australia — Institute for Health Research)

Born into homelessness: reducing the impact of homelessness across the first 1,000 days of life

Dr Megan Bell (University of Western Australia)

Understanding the health and development of children with incarcerated mothers: Building an evidence base for improved outcomes

Prof Bronwyn Myers (Curtin University)

Help while our children wait: Scaling up interventions to support young people waiting for specialist mental health services

Prof David Mackey (University of Western Australia)

Preventing myopia and glaucoma in children at high genetic risk, leveraging the Western Australian Origins Project and the Raine Study

Local Communities of Practice for Healthy Environments and Lives

Chief Investigator — A/Prof Brad Farrant (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia). Investigators — Ms Mara West (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia), Dr Noel Nannup (Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together, University of Western Australia), A/Prof Caitlin Wyrwoll (The University of Western Australia), Dr Naomi Godden (Centre for People, Place & Plant, Edith Cowan University), Miss Lynette Dimer (Telethon Kids Institute), Dr Emma-Leigh Synnott (Sustainable Development Unit, WA Department of Health), Mrs Jaime Yallup Farrant (Climate Justice Union), A/Prof Alexander Larcombe (Telethon Kids Institute), Prof Peter Le Souef (School of Medicine, University of Western Australia).

Diagnosis and treatment pathways for metabolic diseases in Western Australian children

Chief Investigator — Prof Aleksandra Filipovska (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia). Investigators — Prof Oliver Rackham & Dr Tara Richman (Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research).

Consumer and Community Involvement in Health Research — advanced training modules

Chief Investigator — Ms Belinda Frank (Telethon Kids Institute). Investigator — Ms Anne McKenzie (Telethon Kids Institute).

Enhancing the ORIGINS platform: from early life to early childhood

Chief Investigator — Prof Desiree Silva (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia). Investigators — Prof Susan Prescott, Prof Andrew Whitehouse, Prof Catherine Elliott, A/Prof Deborah Palmer, Dr Lisa Gibson, Dr Nina d’Vaz, Dr Sarah Whalan & Ms Jacqueline Davis (Telethon Kids Institute), Dr Ravisha Srinivasjois (Joondalup Health Campus).

The IDEA (Intellectual Disability Exploring Answers) Database

Chief Investigator — Dr Emma Glasson (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia). Investigators — Dr Helen Leonard & Ms Jenny Bourke (Telethon Kids Institute).

Compute Platform for Perioperative Analytics

Chief Investigator — Prof Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg (University of Western Australia, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital). Investigators — A/Prof David Sommerfield (University of Western Australia, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital), Prof Fiona Wood (University of Western Australia, Telethon Kids Institute, Burn Service of Western Australia, Perth Children's Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital), Dr Vance Locke (Western Kids Health, Edith Cowan University), Dr Ramzan Nazim Khan & Prof Lee Yong Lim (University of Western Australia), Ms Daisy Evans (University of Western Australia, Telethon Kids Institute), Dr Jennifer Walsh (University of Western Australia, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital), Dr Mon Ohn & A/Prof Shyan Vijayasekaran (University of Western Australia, Perth Children’s Hospital).

Djaalinj Waakinj: Partnering with community to improve ear and hearing health

Chief Investigator: A/Prof Chris Brennan-Jones (Curtin University)

Maawit Maladjin* Clinical Trial (*Maawit = young people, babies. Maladjin = growing, raising, developing)

Chief Investigator: Mr Dan McAullay (Edith Cowan University)

Building translational capacity in Western Australia: Establishing the tools needed to develop treatments for Australian children with muscle disease

Chief Investigator: Dr Rhonda Taylor (University of Western Australia, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research)

Establishing a novel therapeutics pipeline to treat antibiotic resistant infections in children

Chief Investigator — A/Prof Anthony Kicic (Telethon Kids Institute, Curtin University). Investigators — Prof Stephen Stick (Telethon Kids Institute), Dr Anna Tai (University of Western Australia), A/Prof Alexander Larcombe (Telethon Kids Institute), Prof Hak-Kim Chan (University of Sydney), Prof Barbara Chang (University of Western Australia), Patricia Agudelo-Roero & Yuliya Karpievitch (Telethon Kids Institute).

The STAMP (Surveillance-Transmission-Attitudes-Modelling and Policy) RSV Program

Chief Investigator — A/Prof Hannah Moore (Telethon Kids Institute, Curtin University). Investigators — Prof Christopher Blyth (Telethon Kids Institute, Curtin University), Dr Samantha Carlson, Ms Fiona Giannini & Dr Minda Sarna (Telethon Kids Institute), Dr David Foley (PathWest Laboratory Medicine), Ms Catherine Hughes (Immunisation Foundation of Australia), Prof Peter Richmond (The University of Western Australia, Child and Adolescent Health Service), Dr Avram Levy (PathWest Laboratory Medicine), A/Prof Ewan Cameron (Telethon Kids Institute, Curtin University).

FOOTPRINTS: Follow-On Outreach - Psychosocial Support for Acutely Bereaved Families in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

Chief Investigator — Dr Simon Erickson (Child and Adolescent Health Service). Investigators — Mrs Arielle Jolly, Dr Nick Williams, Mrs Jenipher Chumbes Flores, Mrs Kelly Higgins, Mrs Leisa Wilson, Ms Jacqueline Reid, Dr Kylie Davies & Ms Deborah Atkinson (Child and Adolescent Health Service), A/Prof Fenella Gill (Child and Adolescent Health Service, Curtin University).

Dr Okhee Yoo (University of Western Australia)

Improving medical care for children through pharmacometrics and innovative medicinal products

Dr Caitlin Wyrwoll (University of Western Australia)

Drinking water quality in Western Australia: an unacknowledged risk factor for pregnancy complications

Dr Jason Waithman (University of Western Australia)

Harnessing the immune system to improve outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer

A/Prof Ewan Cameron (Curtin University)

Designing equitable and effective, child-focused COVID-19 policies with a virtual WA

A/Prof Jenny Downs (Telethon Kids Institute)

A knowledge-to-practice roadmap for improving quality of life in children with disability

Dr Yael Perry (Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia)

Digital interventions to improve the mental health of West Australian LGBTQA+ young people

A/Prof Shannon Simpson (Curtin University, Telethon Kids Institute)

Arresting and reversing lung disease for the children of WA who were born too soon

Dr Thomas Drake-Brockman (Child and Adolescent Health Service)

Better Understanding and Novel Technology for Child and Adolescent Pain

A/Prof Fenella Gill (Curtin University)

Safer hospital care for children

Dr Carol Orr (University of Western Australia)

Understanding the impact exposure to family and domestic violence has on children’s health and well-being

An innovative integrated diabetes data management platform for patients and families, researchers and clinicians

Chief Investigator — Prof Tim Jones (Telethon Kids Institute on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia). Investigators — Prof Elizabeth Davis (Telethon Kids Institute), Dr Rad Aniba (Telethon Kids Institute), Prof Jeffrey Braithwaite (Macquarie University, NSW), A/Prof Yvonne Zurynski (Macquarie University, NSW), Dr Ann Carrigan (Macquarie University, NSW), Dr Craig (Perth Children’s Hospital), Taplin Ms Helen Clapin (Telethon Kids Institute), Ms Leanne Cromb (Telethon Kids Institute), Prof Sophie Zoungas (Monash University).

The Aboriginal Leadership and Training Platform for the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases

Chief Investigator — Prof Chris Blyth (Telethon Kids Institute). Investigators — Ms Valerie Swift, Ms Cheryl Bridge (Telethon Kids Institute).

Can Pentoxifylline improve long-term outcomes in preterm infants with late-onset sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis? Completing the international PROTECT trial

Chief Investigator — Prof Tobias Strunk (The Child and Adolescent Health Service, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia). Investigators — Prof William Tarnow-Mordi (University of Sydney), Prof Peter Anderson (Monash University), Prof Sanjay Patole (The Child and Adolescent Health Service/King Edward Memorial Hospital), Prof Dorota Doherty (University of Western Australia), Prof John Simes (University of Sydney), Prof Anthony Keech (University of Sydney), Prof Terrie Inder (Harvard Medical School), Prof Peter Davis (The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne), Prof Eleanor Molloy (Trinity College Dublin).

The use of Silver Fluoride and Teledentistry to manage and prevent childhood dental decay among Aboriginal children in remote communities

Chief Investigator — Dr Peter Arrow (Dental Health Services, Western Australia). Investigators — Dr Lorraine Anderson Kimberley (Aboriginal Medical Services), Prof Dawn Bessarab (University of Western Australia), Prof David Atkinson (University of Western Australia), Prof Lisa Jamieson (University of Adelaide), Dr Sanjeewa Kularatna (Queensland University of Technology), Prof Hien Ngo (University of Western Australia), Dr Soniya Nanda (Health Department of Western Australia), Dr Jilen Patel (University of Western Australia), Ms Utsana Tonmukayakul (Deakin University).

Neuroprotection and neuroimaging: reducing the burden of Neonatal Encephalopathy

Chief Investigator — Dr Adam Edwards (Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science). Investigators — Prof Bruno Meloni (Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science), Prof Jane Pillow (University of Western Australia), Dr Liz Dalimore (Argenica Therapeutics), Dr Tim Rosenow (University of Western Australia), A/Prof Kasper Kyng (Aarhus University Hospital), Prof Nevill Knuckey (Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science).

Women and Infants Research Foundation — Prof Matthew Kemp

Launch pad for high-impact perinatal research — The Research Acceleration Awards Scheme

Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation — Carrick Robertson

PCHF Stan Perron Charitable Foundation Early Career Research (ECR) Award

Raine Medical Research Foundation, University of Western Australia — Dr Amanda Cleaver

Research Collaboration Awards (Child Health)

Spinnaker Foundation — Spinnaker Health Research Foundation — Ms Dana Henderson

Annual research grant

Prof Nick Gottardo (Perth Children's Hospital Foundation)

Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation Stan Perron Chair in Paediatric Haematology and Oncology

Dr Livia Carvalho (Lions Eye Institute)

Disease mechanisms and novel treatment approaches for childhood inherited retinal diseases

Dr Lea‐Ann Kirkham (Telethon Kids Institute)

Novel therapies to prevent ear infections in WA children

Dr Hannah Moore (Telethon Kids Institute/Curtin University)

Data driven approaches to vaccine implementation and evaluation for respiratory infections in Western Australian children

Prof Tobias Strunk (Telethon Kids Institute)

Reducing the burden of neonatal sepsis

Dr Timo Lassmann (Telethon Kids Institute)

Artificial intelligence to discover treatments and accelerate diagnosis for children in Western Australia

Dr Lisa Stinson (University of Western Australia)

Understanding the early‐life microbiome as a foundation for life‐long health

Prof Rhonda Marriott (Murdoch University)

Wongi Mi Bardup: Strengthening Aboriginal Family Futures Through Translational Research

Prof Britta von Ungern‐Sternberg (Child and Adolescent Health Services)

Safer anaesthesia for Western Australian children ‐ optimising preoperative outcomes by advancing and translating knowledge into clinical practice

Imaging the living brain

A/Prof Jennifer Rodger (Perron Institute)

Respiratory Function Testing Platform

A/Prof Shannon Simpson (Telethon Kids Institute/Curtin University)

The Penicillin for Kids (P4K) Assay Platform: improving the delivery, formulation and dosing of penicillins for childhood infections

A/Prof Laurens Manning (Telethon Kids Institute)

Developing and safeguarding the Raine Study: Western Australia’s largest longitudinal health study, from birth to adulthood

Prof Romola Bucks (University of Western Australia)

Western Australian COVID‐19 Immunity Collaborative (WACIC) Biobank: a platform for investigating immune responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines in children and adolescents

Dr Michael O'Sullivan (PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA)

Stan and Jean Perron Awards

Telethon Kids Institute

Lyfe Languages

Chief Investigator - Prof Gareth Baynam (Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies), Investigators - Yarlalu Thomas (University of Western Australia), Shahmir Rind (Curtin University), A/ Prof Kristen Jean Nowak (Department of Health), Tudor Groza (Pryzm Health Pty Ltd), Michelle Ward (Genetic Services WA), Stephanie Broley (Genetic Services WA), Mr Dylan Gration (Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies)

Western Australia National Imaging Facility Node

Chief Investigator - Prof Timothy Colmer (University of Western Australia), Investigators - Prof Gary Geelhoed (WA Health Translation Network), Prof Francis Roslyn (Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital), Prof Paul Parizel (Royal Perth Hospital), Dr Nick Gottardo (Telethon Kids Institute), Dr Michael Bynevelt, Dr Jane Valentine, Prof Catherine Elliott (Perth Children's Hospital)

Helping new mums to be better breast feeders — before their babies are even born

Chief Investigator — A/Prof Therese O'Sullivan (Edith Cowan University), Investigators - Anita Moorhead (Royal Women’s Hospital Melbourne), Colin Binns (Curtin University), Desiree Silva (University of Western Australia), Jill Demirici (University of Pittsburgh), Matt Cooper (Telethon Kids Institute), Roslyn Giglia (Foodbank/Edith Cowan University)

The Thoughtful Schools Project; Implementation and Evaluation of a Trauma-Informed Practice

Program in Western Australian Schools Chief Investigator - Dr Karen Martin (University of Western Australia), Investigators - Rebecca Walker, Madeleine Dobson (Curtin University), Helen Egeberg (Edith Cowan University), Helen Milroy (Telethon Kids Institute), Emily Burger (Monash University), Stephan Lund, Maddie Ford (University of Western Australia)

Precision thyroid medicine for the characterisation and treatment of autism spectrum disorder

Chief Investigator — Prof John Walsh (University of Western Australia), Investigators - Prof Andrew Whitehouse, A/Prof Scott Wilson (University of Western Australia), Ms Suzanne Brown (North Metropolitan Health Service)

Improving practice when child protection intervenes with pregnant mothers and newborns: codesign and evaluation of evidence informed guidelines

Chief Investigator — Dr Melissa O'Donnell (University of Western Australia), Investigators - Prof Rhonda Marriott (Murdoch University), Dr Miriam Maclean, Mr Fernando Lima (Telethon Kids Institute)

Preempt: Developing a WA-led, multi-national program to reduce the profound burden of pre-term birth

Chief Investigator — Prof Matthew Kemp (Women and Infants Research Foundation), Investigators - Prof John Newnham (Women and Infants Research Foundation), Prof Alan Jobe (Cincinnati Children's Hospital, USA), Prof Masatoshi Saito (Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tohoku University Hospital, Japan)

Paediatric Cancer Immunotherapy Program

Chief Investigator — Prof Terrance Johns (Telethon Kids Institute), Investigators - A/Prof Timo Lassmann, Dr Bree Foley, Dr Jason Waithman, Dr Sebastien Malinge, Dr Raelene Endersby, Dr Joost Lesterhuis (Telethon Kids Institute), A/Prof Rishi Kotecha, A/Prof Nick Gottardo (Perth Children's Hospital, Telethon Kids Institute)

Perron Paediatric Retinopathy Initiative

Chief Investigator — Prof Dao-Yi Yu, Investigator — Dr Chandra Balaratnasingam (Lions Eye Institute)

UWA Young Lives Matter Foundation: Reducing self-harm and suicidal behaviours in young people in Western Australia

Chief Investigator — A/Prof David Lawrence, Investigators - Prof Stephen Houghton, A/Prof Elaine Chapman, Prof Andrew Page, Prof Michael Small, Dr Barbara Sheil, Prof Dawn Freshwater, Prof Helen Milroy, Prof Tanya Fitzgerald (University of Western Australia), Prof Michael Sawyer (University of Adelaide)

Implementing practical health promotion programs for chronic disease prevention in remote Aboriginal communities

Chief Investigator — A/Prof Julia Marley (University of Western Australia), Investigators - Prof Lynette HendersonYates (Derby Aboriginal Health Service), Ms Anna Dwyer (The University of Notre Dame), Ms Erica Spry (Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Ltd), Mr Matthew Lelievre (North West Remote Health), Dr Kimberley Seear, Prof David Atkinson (University of Western Australia)

"Move to Improve" — an Australian first program to deliver exercise as medicine for children with chronic disease

Chief Investigator — Prof Elizabeth Davis (Child and Adolescent Health Service), Investigators — Prof Fiona Wood, Prof Jane Valentine, Dr Thomas Walwyn, Ms Kim Laird (Child and Adolescent Health Service), Prof Catherine Elliott (Curtin University), Ms Joanna White (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), Dr Treya Long (Fiona Wood Foundation), Dr Louise Naylor (University of Western Australia), Dr Amy Finlay-Jones (Telethon Kids Institute)