Program Manager, Skin Health
BSc(OT)
Marianne is driven by developing and implementing evidence based initiatives that will make a tangible difference to the health and wellbeing of those who need it most. Her passion for social justice has seen her pursue a career in translational research with a focus on community-driven outcomes. Marianne has over 10 years’ clinical research experience, both on the ground and in coordinating multiple national and international projects that span broad fields from disability and chronic conditions to acute infections.
For the past five years, Marianne has overseen the development and implementation of >$5million research grants, as Program Manager of the Skin Health Team at Telethon Kids Institute. This portfolio of work supports community-driven aims to improve the health of Aboriginal children in remote Western Australia (WA). Marianne manages a growing team and was recently recognised for her leadership abilities when selected as one of 14 applicants for the 2019 Telethon Kids Emerging Leaders Program. In 2020 Marianne’s leadership, collaboration and translation skills were sought after by the WA government to design and manage the DETECT Schools Study, which assessed the asymptomatic transmission and psychological impact of COVID-19 in 79 schools across WA. Under Marianne’s coordination, it was rapidly rolled out from conception to data collection in seven weeks.
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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
March 2023
A pilot study to develop assessment tools for Group A Streptococcus surveillance studies
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes pharyngitis (sore throat) and impetigo (skin sores) GAS pharyngitis triggers rheumatic fever (RF) with epidemiological evidence supporting that GAS impetigo may also trigger RF in Australian Aboriginal children. Understanding the concurrent burden of these superficial GAS infections is critical to RF prevention. This pilot study aimed to trial tools for concurrent surveillance of sore throats and skins sore for contemporary studies of RF pathogenesis including development of a sore throat checklist for Aboriginal families and pharynx photography.
Published research Skin Infections Aboriginal Health Group A Streptococcal & Rheumatic Heart Disease Subsite: END RHD Invasive Streptococcus A Disease Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Strep A & ARF TherapeuticsMarch 2022Missing Piece Study protocol: Prospective surveillance to determine the epidemiology of group A streptococcal pharyngitis and impetigo in remote Western Australia
Group A β-haemolytic Streptococcus (GAS), a Gram-positive bacterium, causes skin, mucosal and systemic infections. Repeated GAS infections can lead to autoimmune diseases acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia have the highest rates of ARF and RHD in the world.
Published research Skin Infections Infectious Diseases Group A Streptococcal & Rheumatic Heart Disease Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Invasive Streptococcus A Disease Healthy Skin and ARF PreventionJanuary 2022Western Australian adolescent emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been vast and are not limited to physical health. Many adolescents have experienced disruptions to daily life, including changes in their school routine and family’s financial or emotional security, potentially impacting their emotional wellbeing.
Published research School Attendance Youth Health Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People Geospatial Health and Development COVID-19 School and Community WellbeingFebruary 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 Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Child Physical Activity, Health and Development Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People Geospatial Health and Development