Desiree Silva

Desiree Silva is a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Head of Paediatrics and Neonatology at Joondalup Health Campus since 2011. She holds adjunct professorships at Curtin University and Edith Cowan University, and co-directs the ORIGINS Project, a landmark birth cohort study focusing on child health and development. Her research spans ADHD, autism, developmental disorders, and pediatric mental health, with a focus on translational interventions. She has secured over $30 million in funding, including a $26 million core grant for ORIGINS and an NHMRC grant for the Early Moves project.

Education includes a MBBS (Royal Free Hospital, 1985), MPH (James Cook University, 1997), FRACP (2007), and a PhD on ADHD risk factors (UWA, 2015). She is author of ADHD GO-TO GUIDE and co-author of the World Federation ADHD guide.

Research awards include the WA Rising Star (2018). Her work aligns with UN SDGs on health and education. Collaborations span universities, government, and community groups, including the Telethon Kids Institute. She leads initiatives like the PLAN app for maternal health and community engagement programs in Aboriginal communities.