Manager, Biometrics
BCA Marketing, BSc Statistics and Applied Statistics, PhD
Dr Cooper has been active as a biostatistician in health research for 10 years. He is Manager of Biometrics at the Telethon Kids Institute in Western Australia, an independent Medical Research Institute.
Dr Cooper oversees the institutes biostatistics and data services functions that provide support to over 400 researchers across a child health research campus.
Having published over 50 peer-reviewed research articles, predominantly in the area of clinical epidemiology, Dr Cooper’s own research has focused on complications arising from Type 1 Diabetes. He recently (2017) completed his PhD at the University of Western Australia, titled “A contemporary assessment of risk factors for the complications of childhood-onset Type 1 diabetes”.
Dr Cooper is actively involved in numerous Scientific Review Committees and is engaged in Western Australia’s extensive Data Linkage system. A key area of research focus for Dr Cooper is utilising longitudinal data to provide individualised risk predictions for complication development.
These models are built by combining different data sources, including population-based clinical registries with routinely collected administrative health records (utilising the International Classification of Diseases coding system).
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Projects
The DETECT-Schools Study was launched in May 2020 as a partnership between the WA Government Departments of Education and Health with the Telethon Kids Institute.
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Publications
January 2021
Small-molecule screen reveals synergy of cell cycle checkpoint kinase inhibitors with DNA-damaging chemotherapies in medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma (MB) consists of four core molecular subgroups with distinct clinical features and prognoses. Treatment consists of surgery, followed by radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Despite this intensive approach, outcome remains dismal for patients with certain subtypes of MB, namely, MYC-amplified Group 3 and TP53-mutated SHH. Using high-throughput assays, six human MB cell lines were screened against a library of 3208 unique compounds. We identified 45 effective compounds from the screen and found that cell cycle checkpoint kinase (CHK1/2) inhibition synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic activity of clinically used chemotherapeutics cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and gemcitabine.
Published research Academic Biostatistics Brain Tumour Research Subsite: CancerFebruary 2021DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools
Amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is key to providing peace of mind for the community and informing policy-making decisions. While available data suggest that school-aged children are not significant spreaders of SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission in schools remains an ongoing concern, especially among an aging teaching workforce. Even in low-prevalence settings, communities must balance the potential risk of transmission with the need for students' ongoing education.
Published research Academic Biostatistics Influenza Infectious Diseases Human Capability Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People Geospatial Health and DevelopmentMay 2021Retinal differential light sensitivity variation across the macula in healthy subjects: Importance of cone separation and loci eccentricity
Microperimetry measures differential light sensitivity (DLS) at specific retinal locations. The aim of this study is to examine the variation in DLS across the macula and the contribution to this variation of cone distribution metrics and retinal eccentricity.
Academic BiostatisticsMay 2021The course and prognostic capability of motor difficulties in infants showing early signs of autism
Delays within the motor domain are often overlooked as an early surveillance marker for autism. The present study evaluated motor difficulties and its potential as an early predictive marker for later autism likelihood in a cohort of infants showing early behavioral signs of autism aged 9-14 months. The motor domain was evaluated using the motor subscales of the Mullen Scales of Early Learning at baseline, and at a 6-month follow-up.
Published research Academic Biostatistics Autism Research Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKidsMay 2021Relationship Between Social Motivation in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents
Impairment in social motivation (SM) has been suggested as a key mechanism underlying social communication deficits observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the factors accounting for variability in SM remain poorly described and understood. The current study aimed to characterize the relationship between parental and proband SM. Data from 2,759 children with ASD and their parents from the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) project was included in this study.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Academic BiostatisticsSeptember 2021Effect of Preemptive Intervention on Developmental Outcomes Among Infants Showing Early Signs of Autism: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Outcomes to Diagnosis
Intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically commences after diagnosis. No trial of an intervention administered to infants before diagnosis has shown an effect on diagnostic outcomes to date.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Academic Biostatistics Autism Research Subsite: Autism & Related Disorders Subsite: CliniKidsSeptember 2021Risk Factors for Gut Dysbiosis in Early Life
Dysbiosis refers to a reduction in microbial diversity, combined with a loss of beneficial taxa, and an increase in pathogenic microorganisms. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota can have a substantial effect on the nervous and immune systems, contributing to the onset of several inflammatory diseases.
Published research Academic Biostatistics Experimental Immunology Clinical Epigenetics Immune systemDecember 2020Racial discrimination and allostatic load among First Nations Australians: a nationally representative cross-sectional study
Increased allostatic load is linked with racial discrimination exposure, providing a mechanism for the biological embedding of racism as a psychosocial stressor. We undertook an examination of how racial discrimination interacts with socioecological, environmental, and health conditions to affect multisystem dysregulation in a First Nations population.
Published research Human CapabilityNovember 2020Consumption of energy drinks is associated with depression, anxiety, and stress in young adult males: Evidence from a longitudinal cohort study
Energy drinks (EDs) claim to boost mental performance, however, few studies have examined the prospective effects of EDs on mental health. This study examined longitudinal associations between ED use and mental health symptoms in young adults aged 20 years over a 2-year period.
Published research Child Health, Development & Education Depression and Anxiety Youth Health Child Physical Activity, Health and DevelopmentNovember 2020Investigating associations between birth order and autism diagnostic phenotypes
Birth order effects have been linked to variability in intelligence, educational attainment and sexual orientation. First- and later-born children have been linked to an increased likelihood of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, with a smaller body of evidence implicating decreases in cognitive functioning with increased birth order. The present study investigated the potential association between birth order and ASD diagnostic phenotypes in a large and representative population sample.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Autism Research Subsite: CliniKidsNovember 2020Electrostatic Filters to Reduce COVID-19 Spread in Bubble CPAP: An in vitro Study of Safety and Efficacy
Bubble CPAP may be used in infants with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Electrostatic filters may reduce cross infection. This study aims to determine if including a filter in the bubble CPAP circuit impacts stability of pressure delivery. A new electrostatic filter was placed before (pre) or after (post) the bubble CPAP generator, or with no filter (control) in an in vitro study. Pressure was recorded at the nasal interface for 18 h (6 L/min; 7 cm H2O) on 3 occasions for each configuration. Filter failure was defined as pressure >9 cm H2O for 60 continuous minutes. The filter was weighed before and after each experiment.
Infectious Diseases Computational BiologyOctober 2020Narrowband UVB phototherapy reduces TNF production by B-cell subsets stimulated via TLR7 from individuals with early multiple sclerosis
At the end of a 60-day course of narrowband UVB phototherapy, administered to individuals with early multiple sclerosis, there were changes in the relative proportions of circulating B-cell subsets. This study investigated phototherapy-associated changes to cytokine responses of B cells when exposed to a TLR7 ligand.
Published research InflammationApril 2020Racial discrimination and child and adolescent health in longitudinal studies: A systematic review
This review emphasises the need to gain evidence for the mechanisms linking early racism exposure to adverse health outcomes in later life
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Human CapabilitySeptember 2019Pre-emptive intervention versus treatment as usual for infants showing early behavioural risk signs of autism spectrum disorder
A pre-emptive intervention for the autism spectrum disorder prodrome had no immediate treatment effect on early autism spectrum disorder symptoms
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Autism ResearchSeptember 2019Caregiver-perceived racial discrimination is associated with diverse mental health outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 7-12 years
Exposure to racial discrimination in Aboriginal children increased the risk for a spectrum of interrelated factors linked to negative mental health
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Human CapabilitySeptember 2019Prednisolone Versus Dexamethasone for Croup: a Randomized Controlled Trial
The type of oral steroid seems to have no clinically significant impact on efficacy, both acutely and during the week after treatment
Published researchDecember 2018Real-world outcomes of insulin pump compared to injection therapy in a population-based sample of children with type 1 diabetes
Patients using insulin pump therapy had a better long-term glycemic control relative to the matched injection therapy cohort
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Diabetes and ObesityOctober 2018Prevalence of Racial Discrimination in a Cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children
This study looked at the frequency of racism experiences over time in a population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Human CapabilityFebruary 2018Oral prednisolone in preschool children with virus-associated wheeze: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Preschool children often have episodes of virus-associated wheeze and assessing efficacy of corticosteroids for paediatric wheeze exacerbations is inconcludsive
Published researchJanuary 2017Evidence of a reduction over time in the behavioral severity of autistic disorder diagnoses
We examined whether there were changes over time in the qualitative and quantitative phenotype of individuals who received the diagnosis of Autistic Disorder.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Autism ResearchMay 2017Incidence of and risk factors for hospitalisations due to vascular complications: A population-based type 1 diabetes cohort (n=1316) followed into early adulthood
Determining the incidence of hospitalisations and risk factors for vascular complications experienced during early adulthood in patients with childhood T1D
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Developmental Pathways & Social Policy Diabetes and ObesityJuly 2017The impact of racial discrimination on the health of Australian Indigenous children aged 5–10 years: analysis of national longitudinal data
Direct and persistent vicarious racial discrimination are detrimental to the physical and mental health of Indigenous children in Australia
Published research Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Health Human CapabilitySeptember 2017A randomised controlled trial of an iPad-based application to complement early behavioural intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Technology-based interventions may provide a relatively low-cost addition to existing therapist-delivered interventions for children with ASD
Autism Spectrum Disorders Published research Autism ResearchNovember 2017Psychiatric disorders during early adulthood in those with childhood onset type 1 diabetes: Rates and clinical risk factors from population-based follow-up
To determine the incidence of and risk factors for psychiatric disorders in early adulthood in patients with childhood onset type 1 diabetes (T1D)
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Diabetes and Obesity Youth Mental Health -
Education and Qualifications
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