Peter Le Souef

Professor Peter Le Souef is a renowned academic and researcher in pediatric respiratory medicine at the University of Western Australia (UWA), holding roles such as Professor of Paediatrics and Head of the School of Paediatrics and Child Health (SPACH). He has held leadership positions since 1985, including leading the Children's Respiratory Science Group at UWA and the Telethon Kids Institute. His research focuses on respiratory infections, asthma genetics, and the impact of environmental changes on child health.

Education & Training:

• MBBS (UWA), 1966-71
• MRCP(UK), 1976; FRACP, 1980; MD, 1984
• Paediatrics training at University College Hospital (London, 1974–75) and neonatal research fellowships (1976–77, 1981–82)
• Respiratory physiology research at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, 1981–82)

Research Interests: Professor Le Souef’s work spans respiratory disease mechanisms, viral infections in children, asthma genetics, and global health challenges like climate change’s impact on child health. He leads international collaborations in South America, Africa, Greenland, and Siberia, studying immune evolution and environmental influences.

Funding & Grants: He has secured over $15M in grants, including NHMRC projects and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funding. Current grants focus on viral respiratory mechanisms, HIV immunogenetics, and longitudinal asthma cohort studies.

Labs & Teams: Leads the Children's Respiratory Science Group and the Perth Infant Asthma Follow-up (PIAF) Birth Cohort study. Collaborates globally on initiatives like the Future Child Health project, addressing environmental threats to child health.