Professor Khin Than Win is a leading academic in health informatics and digital health at the University of Wollongong (UOW), holding appointments as Professor in the School of Computing and Information Technology, Head of Postgraduate Studies, and Deputy Head (Research). She also serves as Academic Program Director for UOW's Master of Health Informatics and Graduate Certificate in Health Analytics programs. Her research focuses on applying information technology to healthcare, particularly in behavior change support systems, persuasive technology, and ethical AI applications. She has supervised over 20 PhD students and holds leadership roles including Deputy Chair of UOW's Health and Medical Research Ethics Committee, and membership in international committees like the Persuasive Technology Steering Committee. Education: MBBS from Rangoon University, Master's and PhD in IT from Assumption University (Bangkok) and UOW (Australia) Research Interests: Health data analytics, AI in healthcare, privacy/security of health systems Leadership: Program/General Chair roles at ACIS and Persuasive Technology conferences Awards: Best Paper Awards (2023, 2018) Her extensive funding portfolio includes ARC grants and NHMRC projects, totaling over 24 funded initiatives. Current research explores blockchain in medical passports, AI ethics, and culturally tailored health interventions.
Professor Hak-Kim Chan of the Sydney Pharmacy School at the University of Sydney is a world-renowned expert in respiratory drug delivery, particularly pulmonary aerosols and inhalation therapies. With over 480 publications and 17,580+ Google Scholar citations, he has pioneered advancements in powder formulation , in silico modeling , and clinical applications of inhalation technologies. His work includes the development of FDA-approved diagnostics like Aridol™ (inhaled mannitol for asthma) and Bronchitol™ (for cystic fibrosis), and groundbreaking research on inhaled bacteriophage therapy to combat antibiotic-resistant respiratory infections. Education: BPharm (University Medal, 1983), PhD (1988), DSc (2009) from University of Sydney Professional Experience: Postdoc at University of Minnesota (1988–89), Scientist at Genentech Inc. (1992–95) Leadership: Executive Editor of Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews , Fellow of AAPS and RACI His research spans in vitro production methods, computational modeling of inhaler design, and in vivo imaging of aerosol deposition. Current projects focus on nanomedicine , phage therapy , and combating superbugs via inhalation routes. He has secured significant recognition for his work, including NHMRC case studies highlighting public health impacts. Professor Chan has supervised numerous researchers, including PhD student Grace YAU studying pulmonary probiotic delivery . His team's 10 patents (7 as first inventor) reflect practical innovations in dry powder inhalers , antimicrobial formulations , and drug stabilization technologies.
Anne Holland is Professor of Physiotherapy and Head of Respiratory Research at Monash University and Alfred Health in Melbourne, Australia. She is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow (2021–2025) and a Chief Investigator for the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis and the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Treatable Traits. Her research focuses on supportive therapies for chronic respiratory diseases, particularly COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, with a strong emphasis on pulmonary rehabilitation, telerehabilitation, and ambulatory oxygen therapy. Her research interests include: Respiratory physiotherapy Pulmonary rehabilitation (home-based and low-cost models) Access to care for chronic lung disease Telerehabilitation and digital health Symptom management in interstitial lung disease Exercise training and physical activity promotion Her recent publications focus on symptom management, digital self-management tools, treatable traits models, and clinical trials in pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. The body of work reflects a strong trend toward patient-centered, accessible, and evidence-based interventions that improve quality of life and clinical outcomes in chronic respiratory conditions. Her major scientific awards include: Society Medal, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (2021) European Respiratory Society Gold Medal for Allied Health Professionals (2022) NHMRC Investigator Fellow (Leadership 1) (2021) Fellow, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (2019) American Thoracic Society Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assembly Award (2016) Anne Holland supervises PhD students and is actively involved in advising and grant leadership. She is the Primary Chief Investigator on major trials such as the PERFORM trial and the TAPPET trial, and she leads a multinational ambulatory oxygen trial for fibrotic lung disease. Her work is supported by NHMRC and international collaborations. She is also President of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, reflecting her leadership in the field. Anne leads the Holland Respiratory Care Research Group at Monash, which focuses on innovative models of care delivery, validation of remote monitoring tools, and improving patient self-management in chronic lung disease. The team collaborates widely across Australia and internationally, particularly in trials involving pulmonary rehabilitation and treatable traits.
Rachel Huxley is Deakin Distinguished Professor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health at Deakin University, a role she has held since October 2019. She leads the Faculty of Health and is based at the Melbourne Burwood Campus. She previously served as Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) at La Trobe University, Chair in Epidemiology at the University of Queensland, and Head of the School of Public Health at Curtin University. She holds honorary appointments at the George Institute for Global Health (UNSW) and the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford. Education: Undergraduate studies at St John's College, Oxford Doctorate in Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Oxford University Post-doctoral training at Oxford University Professor Huxley's research centers on epidemiology and public health, with a focus on chronic disease risk factors, sex and ethnic disparities, and the health impacts of climate change and air pollution. Her work spans cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, women's health, and environmental determinants of health. She has published over 200 research articles and maintains an h-index of 58 (Web of Science). The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary focus on environmental health, mental health, cardiometabolic disease, and health policy. Key themes include air pollution and child obesity, climate change and asthma, green space and psychiatric disorders, and sex disparities in coronary heart disease care. Her research increasingly integrates planetary health, policy reform, and equity considerations. Scientific Awards and Fellowships: Inaugural Career Development Fellowship from the Heart Foundation and NSW Office for Science and Medical Research Career Development Award ($400K) from NSW and National Heart Foundation of Australia (2009–2010) Professor Huxley has secured over $2.5 million as Chief Investigator A and contributed to more than $5 million in co-investigator grants. Current and recent projects include NHMRC-funded studies on obesity, prediabetes, electronic cigarettes, women's health data, CT scanning risks, and coronary heart disease management. She supervises several doctoral students and is actively involved in national and international advisory boards, including the Telethon Kids Institute and the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance. She leads or contributes to major research initiatives such as the Centre of Research Excellence on Women and Non-communicable Disease (CRE WaND) and the Breathe Melbourne citizen science project. Her leadership extends to policy engagement, with research influencing public health strategies on air quality, climate change, and sex and gender equity in research.
Senani N.H. Rathnayake is a Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Faculty of Science. He completed his PhD at UTS (2019-2024) and held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Groningen (2023-2024). His primary research focuses on respiratory diseases, particularly the molecular mechanisms of smoking-induced lung damage, COPD, and asthma. Key areas include gene expression profiling, epigenetic changes, and cellular responses to cigarette smoke exposure. Research Interests: Transcriptomic and epigenetic alterations in lung diseases Smoking cessation effects on airway biology Genetic regulation of COPD biomarkers (e.g., sRAGE) Sex chromosome influences on respiratory disease susceptibility Awards & Fellowships: 2023 TSANZ Past Presidents Scholarship Award 2022-2023 European Respiratory Society Short-Term Fellowship Recent Research Trends: His articles emphasize smoking's impact on bronchial epithelial cells, including transcriptomic shifts, mucus barrier dynamics, and CRISPR-based gene-editing applications. Recent work explores Y-chromosome effects on COPD and asthma pathogenesis. Professional Engagement: Co-chair of the 2023 TSANZ Annual Scientific Conference Member of Australian Society for Medical Research, European Respiratory Society, and Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand
Christopher Grainge is a Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle's School of Medicine and Public Health, and a Staff Specialist in Respiratory and General Medicine at John Hunter Hospital. Previously, he served as a Consultant Physician and Senior Lecturer at the University of Southampton. His extensive clinical background includes service in the Royal Navy, specializing in diving and remote medicine, and deployments to Antarctica and Southern Iraq. Dr. Grainge maintains active research collaborations with institutions worldwide, focusing on respiratory medicine. Dr. Grainge completed his undergraduate training at Imperial College, University of London, with an intercalated BSc. He earned his PhD from the University of Southampton in 2011, with research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. His thesis examined the effect of repeated bronchoconstriction on airways in asthma. He also holds membership in the Royal College of Physicians and was awarded the Diploma in the Medical Care of Catastrophes, specializing in remote and refugee medicine. Dr. Grainge's research focuses on the role of mechanical forces in asthma pathophysiology, environmental dusts in lung disease development, and platelet antagonists' effects on allergen challenge. His work demonstrates that mechanical forces play a crucial role in determining long-term changes in human airways. He leads investigations into how environmental exposure to inhaled particles leads to conditions like constrictive bronchiolitis, and explores novel therapeutic pathways for asthma through platelet activation inhibition. His research has significant clinical implications for difficult asthma and interstitial lung disease management. Dr. Grainge's recent publications reflect strong trends in interstitial lung disease research, particularly idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma mechanisms. His work increasingly incorporates advanced technologies like artificial intelligence for disease stratification and deep learning for predicting disease progression. Collaborative research with international teams examines biomarkers for disease progression and novel treatment approaches for fibrotic lung diseases, with a particular focus on quantitative CT analysis and patient-reported outcome measures. Leatherdale Prize for Clinical Teaching: Finalist (2013) Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards Winner (2011) University of Southampton Translational Medicine Research Prize (2011) Michael Arthur Clinical Research Prize (2014) British Lung Foundation Travel Fellowship (2011) Gilbert Blane Medal (2010) Colt Foundation Prize: Finalist (2010) Asthma UK Travel Fellowship (2009) Dr. Grainge has received significant research funding from the British Lung Foundation, the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, the Institute for Life Sciences, and the Gerald Kerkut Foundation. His projects investigate the effects of physical and environmental stress on lung disease, mechanisms underlying lung disease development following environmental particle exposure, and potential therapies. He has collaborated extensively with research teams across Australia, the UK, the Netherlands, and South Africa, contributing to the training of numerous students and junior researchers through his supervision and mentorship roles. Dr. Grainge collaborates extensively with the Respiratory Research group at the University of Southampton, the Asthma and COPD Research Group at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, and the Microbiome group at the South Australia Medical Research Institute. His current work at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) focuses on mechanical forces within airways and their impact on acute and long-term lung changes in patients with airway diseases. He is also involved in the Australian IPF Registry, contributing to multicenter studies on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progression and treatment outcomes.
Tracey-Lea Laba is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE) within the Faculty of Health at the University of Technology Sydney. As an NHMRC Early Career (Sidney Sax) Fellow and registered pharmacist, she brings extensive clinical experience to her academic work. Her research portfolio spans health economics, pharmacoepidemiology, medication utilization, and health policy with a focus on improving health outcomes for disadvantaged populations through better use of high-value medicines for non-communicable diseases. Dr. Laba received her PhD from The University of Sydney in 2014 and was a University Medallist for her Bachelor of Pharmacy (2004). Prior to joining UTS, she held positions as a senior research fellow at The George Institute for Global Health and the Menzies Centre for Health Policy, and completed an honorary postdoctoral fellowship at The University of British Columbia. Her clinical background includes hospital and community pharmacy practice as well as pharmaceutical industry experience. Her research interests focus on health economics, drug utilization and policy, clinical trial translation, and improving medication access for non-communicable diseases. Dr. Laba has secured significant funding for projects including the Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence (2020-2025), the ORIENT study on rural access to reproductive health services (2020-2026), and research on medication utilization patterns in cancer care and cardiovascular disease management. An analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on practical healthcare implementation challenges, with particular attention to medication access, quality improvement in primary care, and health system strengthening. Her work spans both Australian healthcare contexts and global health applications, particularly in low-resource settings in South Asia. Among her notable professional recognitions, Dr. Laba is the first health economist elected to Asthma Australia's Professional Advisory Council and the first person outside the PBAC chair to serve on both the drug utilization and economics subcommittees of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Dr. Laba actively supervises Masters and PhD students and has received funding through the NHMRC Early Career Fellowship program. Her research has been supported by multiple grants from the Medical Research Future Fund and NHMRC totaling millions of dollars across various projects focused on medicines intelligence, rural healthcare access, and global health interventions.
Dr. Shuvo Bakar is a Senior Lecturer in the Sydney School of Public Health at the University of Sydney, within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. He holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of Southampton, UK, and has prior experience as an Assistant Professor at Yale University, Lecturer at the Australian National University, and Scientist at Data61 (CSIRO). His research focuses on statistical methods applied to public health challenges, including Bayesian hierarchical modeling, machine learning, spatio-temporal analysis, and their applications in epidemiology, clinical trials, and environmental health. Dr. Bakar's research interests span statistical methodologies such as Bayesian adaptive designs, small area estimation, and spatial risk modeling, alongside applications in child health, infectious diseases, and extreme weather impacts on health. He is an active member of academic communities, including the Royal Statistical Society (RSS Fellow), Statistical Society of Australia, and the Australian Trials Methodology Research Network. His work also involves collaborations on grants totaling millions in funding, addressing topics like climate change impacts on health inequity and cardiovascular disease prevention in remote regions. Education: PhD in Statistics (University of Southampton, UK) Key Research Themes: Obesity, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease; Reproductive, Maternal & Child Health Grants/Projects: Includes NHMRC-funded trials on respiratory infections in First Nations children and MRFF grants for cardiovascular risk reduction in regional Australia. Dr. Bakar's contributions extend to editorial roles for Nature Scientific Reports and Discover Public Health , and his research has been published in journals like PloS One , Climatic Change , and Journal of the Royal Statistical Society .
Dr. Suzi Mansu is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT University, located at the Bundoora West campus. Her research focuses on Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Clinical Sciences, with a particular emphasis on acupuncture safety, herbal medicine efficacy, and systematic reviews in dermatology and infectious diseases. She has contributed to studies on birth-related trauma support, acne vulgaris treatments, and respiratory disorder management through traditional Chinese medicine frameworks. Education : No formal educational details provided in the text. Her research interests span acupuncture safety assessments, herbal formulations for skin and infectious conditions, and integrating digital tools into medical education. Recent work includes a 2025 scoping review on midwifery practices for birth-related trauma and a 2018 meta-analysis on acupuncture for acne vulgaris. Dr. Mansu is open to supervising Masters and PhD students in relevant fields. She has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects, including the SOPE educational model for online herbal medicine training.
Dr Brent McParland is a Senior Lecturer at the Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney, and a member of the Charles Perkins Centre. His work bridges respiratory pharmacology, parasitology, and reproductive medicine with clinical applications. His primary research investigates mechanisms of exaggerated airway narrowing in asthma and COPD, focusing on airway smooth muscle dynamics, autacoid pharmacology (5HT, NO, Bradykinin, PGs, LTs, Histamine), and the role of extracellular matrix. He also leads pioneering research into whether Australian ticks cause Lyme-like illness, examining Babesia and Theileria pathogens through molecular detection methods. His work extends to reproductive medicine and drugs in sport, aligning with the Charles Perkins Centre's themes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, infection, and maternal health. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant respiratory focus (73% of articles), particularly on airway smooth muscle physiology in asthma/COPD, with significant contributions to parasitology (13%) regarding Australian tick-borne diseases. His methodological approaches emphasize cellular signaling, pathogenesis, and pathology, often utilizing in vitro models and molecular characterization techniques. Dr McParland has secured competitive research funding including: 2014: Australias Lyme-Like Illness grant (Australian Respiratory Council) 2013: NHMRC Project Grant on COPD airway mechanics 2006: Ramaciotti Foundation grant on asthma fluid lining 2006: University of Sydney Newly Appointed Staff grant 2006: Asthma Foundation of NSW award on cold-induced exacerbations He teaches core pharmacology courses including Pharmacology Fundamentals, Respiratory Diseases (Asthma, COPD, PAH), and Autacoid Pharmacology, while contributing to the Charles Perkins Centre's multidisciplinary research on metabolic, infectious, and reproductive health conditions through his expertise in airway pathophysiology and vector-borne disease mechanisms.
Professor Lisa Wood is the Pro Vice Chancellor of the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing at the University of Newcastle. She holds a PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics and has over 20 years of research experience in nutritional biochemistry, focusing on the interplay between diet, inflammation, and respiratory diseases like asthma and cystic fibrosis. Her work bridges nutrition science and respiratory medicine, emphasizing dietary guidelines for disease management. She leads the Nutrition and Metabolism Theme at HMRI and has supervised 22 PhD and 2 Masters students. Education: BSc (Honours) from the University of Sydney, PhD in Nutrition & Dietetics from the University of Newcastle. Professional roles include former Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (2020–2025) and interim Pro Vice Chancellor Student Engagement (2023–2024). Leadership in national organizations includes President of the Nutrition Society of Australia (2016–2021) and Chair of Asthma Australia’s Research Advisory Committee. Research Interests: Mechanisms of dietary factors (e.g., antioxidants, fatty acids, soluble fiber) on airway inflammation; obesity-related asthma; translational nutrition interventions. Key contributions include demonstrating that high fruit/vegetable diets reduce asthma exacerbations and identifying saturated fatty acids’ impact on bronchodilator efficacy. Her work informs clinical guidelines, including the Australian Asthma Handbook. Awards: 2022 Nutrition Society of Australia Medal, 2006 NSW Tall Poppy Award, and multiple mid-career recognitions. Over 210 publications (H-index 57/Scopus). Labs/Teams: Leads the Nutrition Research group in the Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases at HMRI. Collaborates with bariatric surgeons and clinical trial networks.
Dr. Fenton O'Leary is a Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of New South Wales, specializing in Paediatric Emergency Medicine and Medical Education . His work focuses on simulation-based training, resuscitation protocols, and improving child health outcomes through innovative clinical tools. Paediatric Emergency Medicine Simulation Training Resuscitation Research His recent publications (2022-2024) analyze pandemic impacts on healthcare, simulation fidelity, and educational technologies. Collaborations with institutions like the Children's Hospital at Westmead highlight his commitment to practical, scalable solutions in paediatric care. Dr. O'Leary co-developed the RESUS4KIDS program to standardize paediatric resuscitation training, emphasizing interdisciplinary teamwork and real-world scenario preparation.
Samsung Lim serves as an Associate Professor of geographic information systems (GIS) in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney. With expertise spanning data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, Lim applies geospatial technologies to critical real-world challenges in natural disaster management and public health research. Lim's interdisciplinary work bridges engineering, computer science, and public health domains to develop practical decision-making tools for emergency response and disease surveillance. Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA M.A. in Mathematics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea B.A. in Mathematics, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea Lim's research focuses on applying GIS to natural disaster management and public health challenges. Key areas include machine learning methods for bushfire susceptibility mapping, spatial clustering for landslide susceptibility analysis, city-scale evacuation management in flood scenarios, and social media-based natural disaster assessment. In public health, Lim investigates geo-correlations between environmental factors and asthma occurrence, computational approaches to avian influenza outbreaks, emerging hot spot analysis of COVID-19, and early detection systems for emerging infectious diseases. This work combines advanced spatial analytics with machine learning to address complex environmental and health challenges. The recent publication record demonstrates a clear interdisciplinary trajectory where geospatial science intersects with public health emergency response and natural hazard management. Lim's work consistently applies machine learning techniques to geospatial data, with particular emphasis on disaster susceptibility mapping, disease outbreak detection, and infrastructure monitoring. The research spans multiple continents and addresses both immediate emergency response needs and long-term environmental health challenges, reflecting a commitment to practical applications of geospatial science. Associate Editor of Geospatial Information Science National Delegate of Commission 3 of International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) National Representative of the International Cartographic Association (ICA) Commission on Sensor-driven Mapping Senior Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Lim actively contributes to the development of early warning systems for emerging infectious diseases through collaborations with public health researchers. The work on EPIWATCH demonstrates how AI can enhance surveillance capabilities for outbreak detection. Lim's research on cruise ship transmission of diseases and the spread of avian influenza through bird migration patterns and poultry trade networks shows strong engagement with real-world public health challenges. These projects often involve multidisciplinary teams spanning engineering, computer science, epidemiology, and veterinary medicine. Lim's work integrates multiple geospatial data sources and analytical techniques to address complex environmental and public health challenges. This includes developing frameworks for performance analysis of OpenStreetMap data, creating specialized road datasets for pedestrian navigation, and applying Persistent Scatterer Interferometry for land motion monitoring. The research combines traditional geospatial methods with cutting-edge machine learning approaches to extract meaningful insights from complex spatial datasets.
Philip Bardin is an Adjunct Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Monash University and Director of Lung & Sleep Medicine at Monash Health. He holds roles as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Respirology and has led major research projects in COPD and asthma therapies. His work addresses obstructive lung diseases, viral exacerbations, and vocal cord dysfunction in respiratory conditions. Education: PhD (University of Southampton, 1994), FRACP (Royal Australasian College of Physicians), FCPSA (Colleges of Medicine of South Africa) Research focuses on COPD, asthma, laryngeal dysfunction, and immunology. He has secured NH&MRC funding and chaired national grant review panels. Recent studies explore biologic therapies, patient outcomes, and novel diagnostic approaches for respiratory conditions. Notable projects include clinical trials for Fexlamose, CHF6001 DPI, and anti-fibrotic drug models. Over 190 publications span articles, reviews, and commentaries on respiratory medicine advancements.
Professor Janna Morrison is a Professor of Physiology at the University of South Australia within the Clinical & Health Sciences school. She is based at the City West Campus (HB5-28) and serves as a Research Degree Supervisor. Her research primarily focuses on fetal physiology and developmental origins of health and disease, with particular emphasis on placental function, cardiovascular development, and respiratory systems in animal models. Dr. Morrison's research interests span fetal physiology, placental development, developmental origins of health and disease, cardiovascular development, respiratory development, and pregnancy complications. Her work frequently utilizes sheep models to investigate how maternal conditions affect fetal development and how these developmental changes may program health outcomes later in life. She has made significant contributions to understanding intrauterine growth restriction, fetal cardiac development, and the pulmonary surfactant system. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on using advanced imaging techniques like MRI to assess maternal-fetal physiology, investigating sex-specific responses to developmental challenges, and exploring interventions that might mitigate adverse programming effects. Her research bridges basic science with potential clinical applications in perinatal medicine. Professor Morrison has received funding from major Australian research councils including ARC and NHMRC grants (DP190102263, DP220103289, 511340). She leads the Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group within the Health and Biomedical Innovation division at UniSA. Her laboratory work frequently involves collaborations with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and utilizes sophisticated techniques including cardiac MRI feature tracking, redox monitoring systems, and molecular analysis of tissue samples from animal models.
