Keith Chee Y. Ooi

Professor Keith Chee Y. Ooi is a globally recognized clinician-scientist holding a tenured position as Professor of Medicine in the Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health at the School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health. With over 160 journal publications (more than 50% as first or senior author) and over AUD$15 million in research funding secured, he has established Australia's first comprehensive CF Gastroenterology research program across the lifespan. His clinical expertise centers on cystic fibrosis-related gastroenterology and nutrition, as well as childhood pancreatic diseases, with particular focus on the gut microbiome, inflammation, and dietary impacts on disease progression.

Professor Ooi's research interests span several interconnected domains:

• Gut microbiome and inflammation in chronic childhood diseases
• Dietary impacts on gut health and disease progression
• CF-related pancreatic diseases and pancreatitis
• Gut-lung and gut-brain axis interactions
• Novel diagnostic approaches for cystic fibrosis
• Technology-based medical education innovations

His publication record reveals a strong trajectory of translational research, with recent work focusing on the gut-lung axis in cystic fibrosis (2023), international standards of care (2024), and the impact of CFTR modulators on gut microbiota (2018). The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in multi-system interactions, moving from single-organ studies to comprehensive understanding of how gut health affects distant organs, with particular emphasis on clinical applications.

Professor Ooi's scientific recognition includes:

• World's Top 2% Scientists (Stanford/Elsevier)
• Fellow of the American Gastroenterology Association (2021)
• Named as 1 of 3 distinguished leaders in CF pancreas internationally (2023)
• Dean's Rising Star Award (UNSW Medicine, 2015)
• Dick Hamilton Award and Clinical Research Award (2010)

As a mentor, Professor Ooi has supervised 5 postdoctoral fellows, 7 PhD students (5 as primary supervisor), 6 Honours students, and numerous medical trainees since 2015. His innovative approach extends to medical education where he co-founded PlayMed, a serious educational game platform, and VirtualDoc, the world's first VR game for pediatric resuscitation training. These technologies have been validated through randomized controlled trials and featured in major media outlets including The Australian.

Professor Ooi leads the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic as co-Director and directs the Cystic Fibrosis-Gastroenterology and Pancreas Care Programs at Sydney Children's Hospital, maintaining an active clinical practice while advancing research in his field.