Our people

Steve Stick

Graham Hall

Sarath Ranganathan

Anthony Kicic

Lidija Turkovic

Helen Lester

(Consumer Representative)

Kate McDonald

(Consumer Representative)

Mitch Messer

(Consumer Representative)

Nick de Klerk

 Erika Sutanto

 Ingrid Laing

 Craig Schofield 

Samantha McLean 

Liz Starcevich

Kevin Looi

Jessica Hillas 

Luke Berry

Emma de Jong

Patricia Agudelo Romero

Alana Harper

Renée La Grange

Samantha Grogan

Sally McCappin

Kaye Winfield 

Alana McNamara 

Natalie Eiffler

Joseph Bartlett

Oded Breuer

Jasmine Grdosic

Rachel Foong

Jasminka Murdzosca

Alya Ishak 

Barry Clements

Connor Murray 

Steven Oo

Georgia Barton

Lisa Bennett

Kathryn Ramsey

Alexia Foti

Nicole Shaw 

Daan Caudri

Thomas Iosifidis

Lauren Akesson

Louise King

Suzanna Vidmar

Rosemary Carzino

Nadeene Clarke

Billy Skoric

Rebecca McElroy

Natalie Zajakovski

Katherine Frayman

Jo Harrison

Jonathan Ajzner

Julie Smith

Colin Robertson 

Phil Robinson 

John Massie 

Peter Sly

Linda Shields 

Clara Mok (PhD)

Characterising low attenuation regions (LAR) on CT scans in children with cystic fibrosis

Repurpose and validate the use of a novel quantitative CT scoring technique (PRAGMA-CF) in MRI images. Using a mathematical model of the lung, assess how the extent and geographic distribution of CT LARs change over time and correlate these findings with clinical markers of disease. Determine the cause of CT LARs (ventilation, perfusion or combined defect) using functional MRI.

Email: Clara.mok@telethonkids.org.au  

Shivanthan Shanthikumar (PhD)

The aim of my research is to identify epigenetic markers from early life which predict the severity of lung disease at 9 years of age.  I will do this by comparing two groups, one with mild lung disease and one with severe lung disease at 9 years of age (based on CT scan results), and I will perform whole genome methylation analysis on broncho-alveolar lavage from early life with the aim of identifying differential methylation patterns between the two groups.

The study involves patients with CF - so the 2 groups of kids will be kids with CF from the AREST CF cohort.

Contact: Shivanthan.shanthikumar@rch.org.au 

Kelly Martinovich (PhD)

Personalized antisense oligonucleotide therapy to correct CFTR function in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients

In 2016 I enrolled in a PhD to test whether Antisense Oligonucleotide therapy is capable of rescuing CFTR function in specific Cystic Fibrosis patients

I aim to develop a new treatment that targets specific CF gene types. The message that the CF gene holds makes the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein. A faulty gene message results in the CFTR protein not be produced or able to work properly. A non-functioning protein allows mucous build up and infections to establish that are hard to treat. Over time, these infections and the inflammation that follow leads to permeant lung damage.

The treatments we are developing are small molecules called antisense oligonucleotides (AOs). AOs can change the message that is sent from the gene to protein. AOs are made to target the specific site in the CFTR gene where the faulty message is. In selected CF cases, AOs could improve disease symptoms.

I am currently working with Telethon Kids Institute, the University of Western Australia and the Centre for Comparative Genomics to perform my research.

Kak-Ming Ling (PhD) 

Samuel Montgomery (PhD)

Daniel Laucirica (PhD)

Peter Van Mourik (PhD)

Generating 3D organoid as a cell model for drug discovery and therapy in cystic fibrosis

Intestinal organoids can be used to study the function of the CFTR-protein in patients with Cystic Fibrosis, and to predict whether someone will respond to CFTR-modulating drugs.We aim to study the effect of drugs in intestinal organoids of persons with rare CFTR-mutations to identify persons that might benefit from treatment.