I have done seminal studies in three areas of research that have now moved to clinical trials in the last 3 years. I carried out first ever studies in signal transduction through the interleukin-6 receptor in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). In addition, for the first time ever, used stem cells from the human umbilical cord and human placental amnion cells to treat animal models of lung diseases. The latter has led to clinical trials in treating premature babies with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in Melbourne.

I am a Chief Investigator on a Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis awarded by the NHMRC, recognition of my achievement and reputation. During this 5-year program, the team of scientists under my supervision were the first ever to demonstrate specific circulating lung cancer RNA in patients with progressive IPF, linking cancer to this disorder. In addition, I led an international study that resulted in the discovery of circulatory biomarkers that predict progression in IPF (European Respiratory Journal). I have led my team in delineating the immune response in human patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) following infusion with mesenchymal stromal cells.

Present Research

• Investigating the role of circulating monocytes in the progression of IPF.
• The association of circulating biomarker levels with clinical progression in IPF patients treated with antifibrotics.
• Profiling of miRNA in circulating small extracellular vesicles in progressive IPF.
• Epigenetic and transcriptomic profile in primary lung cells contributing to IPF.
• Spatial transcriptomics of early lung injury and fibrosis.
• Identification of early activated pathways in alveolar epithelial cell line derived from stem cells.

TEACHING

I am the lead coordinator for Internal Medicine in Medicine Year 3 (MD3) and a member of the MD3 teaching committee.

ENGAGEMENT

I am consultant Respiratory Physician at Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Foundational role in building formal networks that facilitate the significant exchange of ideas on a regular basis

I am a member of the writing teams for two Thoracic Society of Australia New Zealand Australasian guideline documents on the management of Interstitial lung diseases that have

I am Senior Editor of the journal Respirology, one of the major journals in our field with an impact factor of 6.4.

I am a member on the inaugural national steering committee of the Australian Lung Foundation.  

I am Deputy Director of the Institute of Respiratory Health.