Postdoctoral Research Officer - SToP Trial
Dr Thomas first joined the Telethon Kids Institute with the DETECT Schools Study, a project rapidly stood up in 2020 to assess the asymptomatic transmission and psychological impact of COVID-19 in 79 schools across WA. With her combined research background and experience in school-based outreach and engagement, Dr Thomas led the interpretation and consolidation of DETECT data and findings to inform local Government responses to the pandemic in WA.
In 2021, Dr Thomas joined the Skin Health team as a Postdoctoral Researcher under the guidance of Associate Professor Asha Bowen. She supports the coordination and scientific direction of the SToP Trial, which aims to reduce the burden of skin sores (caused by Strep A infection) and scabies in school-aged children through the implementation of a holistic skin control program of ‘See’, ‘Treat’ and ‘Prevent’ skin health activities in the Kimberley region of WA.
With a PhD in wound healing mechanisms and a Master of Science Communication and Outreach, Dr Thomas brings to her team complimentary research, communication, and engagement skills with which she is driven to affect tangible change in health outcomes for Australian Aboriginal children, who experience some of the highest rates in the world of Strep A infection and downstream health consequences such as Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease.
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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
September 2023
Searching for Strep A in the clinical environment during a human challenge trial: a sub-study protocol
Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as group A Streptococcus , Strep A) is an obligate human pathogen with significant global morbidity and mortality. Transmission is believed to occur primarily between individuals via respiratory droplets, but knowledge about other potential sources of transmission via aerosols or the environment is limited. Such knowledge is required to design optimal interventions to control transmission, particularly in endemic settings.
Published research Infectious Diseases Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Invasive Streptococcus A Disease Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Strep A Pathogenesis and Diagnostics Strep A & ARF TherapeuticsDecember 2023HipHop2SToP a community-led health promotion initiative empowering Aboriginal youth in the Kimberley region of Western Australia: a process evaluation
For millennia, Aboriginal people's ways of knowing, doing and being were shared through art, song, and dance. Colonisation silenced these ways, affecting loss of self-determination for Aboriginal people. Over the past decade in Australia, hip-hop projects have become culturally appropriate approaches for health promotion.
Published research Skin Infections Aboriginal Health Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Healthy Skin and ARF PreventionOctober 2022Skin Health in Northern Australia
Achieving healthy skin requires the prevention of infectious diseases that affect the skin. Prevention activities range from environmental health improvements to address inequities in living situations, through to community-wide treatment programs to reduce transmission and improve skin health.
Published research Skin Infections Aboriginal Health Subsite: END RHD 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 Human Development and Community Wellbeing School Attendance Youth Health Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Young People Geospatial Health and Development COVID-19 -
Education and Qualifications