Early Environment Working Groups

The Research Focus Area Working Groups are the powerhouses of our RFAs, where collaborations emerge and enhanced and innovative new research will be generated.

They are not prescriptive but are naturally informed by the RFA activities, and they are fluid and not time specific, with continuation dependent on interest, motivation and success. Working groups may dissolve and it is anticipated that new working groups will form and be responsive to a changing research environment. Working groups are sponsored by one primary Research Focus Area.

Our Early Environment Working Groups are:

Acute Respiratory Infections
This working group aims to coordinate the large number of research teams across the Telethon Kids Institute undertaking research into acute respiratory disease, much of which are caused by infections. Acute respiratory infection is a predominant cause of exacerbations in chronic childhood diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma and pneumonia with the largest affected age group being young children. Aboriginal children have a greater number of hospitalisations for respiratory infections compared with non-Aboriginal children.

Contact: ingrid.laing@telethonkids.org.au

Built Environment, Pollutants and Toxicants
This working group brings together researchers with a strong interest and expertise in the broad area of environmental health which includes the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and the impact of these factors on health outcomes. The Institute is ideally resourced and skilled to become a major centre for children’s environmental health research, as well as contribute to both policy and advocacy in this area.

Contact: hayley.christian@telethonkids.org.au or amanda.wheeler@curtin.edu.au

Immunology
This working group is aiming to bring together the large and diverse immunology research in Western Australia to form a Centre for Immunology and Immunobiology. It will draw in researchers and clinicians from many universities, institutes and hospitals across Perth to further existing projects and develop new immunology-based projects that focus on prevention and cure.

Contact: deb.strickland@telethonkids.org.au

Infectious Diseases
This working group will connect researchers within Telethon Kids' Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases with other researchers conducting infectious disease research. The group will promote collaboration between research teams specialised in infectious diseases as well as non-communicable diseases where infections are part of the disease pathway.

Contact: tom.snelling@telethonkids.org.au

Microbiome
The working group is developing a network or consortium of microbiome researchers in the state in order to promote microbiome research; stimulate dialog and collaborations; foster the exchange of ideas, technical knowledge and know-how; and sponsor initiatives aimed at developing microbiome research infrastructure and enhancing competitiveness.

Contact: jeff.keelan@uwa.edu.au

Nutrition and Metabolism
The focus of this working group is to foster research on nutrition during pregnancy, lactation and during weaning. Studies collecting data during pregnancy have been highlighted as an area of priority and there is a great need for translational research in the Nutrition and Metabolism field, including the testing of interventions.

Contact: roslyn.giglia@telethonkids.org.au