Staff updates

Reanne Ho (PhD)

How the human airways of children and adults respond to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). With new strains emerging, scientists are concerned that these may increase the spread of infection, be more severe, and cause more deaths. The human airway is lined with cells that form a protective barrier to bacteria and viruses. However, these cells are capable of recognising and interacting with SARS-CoV-2, and thus may increase the chances of contracting infection and causing severe disease. With over 45,000 cases and almost 1,000 deaths across Australia itself, the project reflects the need for better understanding of the virus and how it affects the human airways.

Therefore, my study hypothesises that infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants will result in distinct innate immune responses by human airway cells depending on their origin. Using a systematic approach and 3D cell models, the study aims to assess how the airway responds to SARS-CoV-2 infection. It will also attempt to identify individuals who may be more vulnerable to the effects of infection by comparing airway cells from children (healthy, preterm birth survivors, and children with cystic fibrosis or asthma) and adults (healthy, asthmatic, and those suffering chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). This study will be at the forefront of understanding this virus and its specific effects on human respiratory airways at the cell and molecular level. It will also inform future studies attempting to find complementary therapeutics besides vaccines to reduce the harmful effects of the virus.

Joseph graduated from The University of Western Australia with a Master of Data Science degree. He joined the AREST CF team as a student initially, before working as a data administrator. Joseph now works as a Data Scientist, his job involves data wrangling, data visualization and building statistical models. 

Harpreet holds a Bachelors of Technology in Computer Science and has data analytics experience across different verticals like Higher Education, Not for Profit and Health Data Analytics, across different geographical regions. She has joined the AREST CF team as a Research Data Analyst and her job involves overseeing the development, integration and use of Data Systems for CF Research, Data Quality Management and data reporting & extraction.

Shivanthan Shanthikumar
Doctor, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne and PhD Candidate AREST CF.

What was your first job?

My first job was coaching a Year 7 Rugby Union side. The side went undefeated (nothing to do with me!)  for the season and so I ended my coaching career then, I still have a 100% winning record.

What was the last book you read?

The West Australian half of AREST will be happy to know it was The Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton, although I didn’t like it as much as some of his earlier works, he is definitely my favourite Australian author.

What was the last movie you have seen?
I just saw a movie called The Backtrack Boys, which is about a program that works with at risk young boys to try and divert them away from juvenile justice pathways and into school or employment. I highly recommend it!! It was truly inspiring and shows what is possible when we don’t resort to punitive treatment of young people.

If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?

I would say Barack Obama and Jacinda Adern for a view of the world that would fill me with optimism rather than pessimism, and Mark Waugh for tips on how to play elegant off drives

If you could choose another career?

Growing up in New Zealand I always wanted to play for the All Blacks, I’m not sure how realistic that is an alternate career though!

What super power would like to have?

I really enjoying napping, so it would probably be the ability to nap at anytime or place

Whose mind would you most like to read?

Probably Sarath, so that when he corrects my PhD, there is less red pen and mean comments

Best award you have ever won? 

I think the trophy I got for taking a hat-trick in the 10B’s cricket team (all bowled in case anyone is interested)

Rebecca Langford , Program Manager, Cystic Fibrosis Research - AREST CF Perth

Rebecca graduated from Curtin University in Perth with a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy). She worked as a Physiotherapist for seven years before moving across to research.

Rebecca started in the AREST CF team in early 2019 as a Project Officer and is now the Program Manager - Cystic Fibrosis Research at Telethon Kids based in Perth.

Rebecca is passionate about ensuring research is completed to high quality and safety standards and loves involving consumers in research. She is exciting by pursuing new research projects that have a big impact on the lives of people living with CF.

Cassidy Du Berry, Respiratory Scientist - Melbourne

Cassidy is a respiratory scientist at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and holds an honorary appointment with The Royal Children’s Hospital. Originally from Ireland, he graduated from Technological University Dublin with a BSc (Hons) in Clinical Measurement Science choosing to major in respiratory technology. Currently he is enrolled in an online masters in Clinical Trials with The University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

In addition to his clinical duties at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Cassidy is responsible for co-ordinating, conducting and analysing pulmonary function tests for respiratory focused paediatric research studies and clinical trials. Currently he is involved in research investigating the relationship between CFTR modulator use and exercise outcomes in Cystic Fibrosis, respiratory complications of childhood cancer and respiratory implications of moderate to late premature birth.

Louise King, Research Coordinator, Respiratory Diseases - AREST CF Melbourne

Louise graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Exercise Science) from Australian Catholic University, followed by a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) from Swinburne University of Technology. During her second degree, Louise underwent an Industry Based Training Year as a Trainee Respiratory Scientist at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Melbourne.

Her initial post graduate years were spent performing infant lung function, aortic ultrasound and data management duties for The Barwon Infant Study located in Geelong. This paved the way forward when she secured a co-ordinating role for the previous school-age component of the AREST CF study. During these years, Louise also assisted in the day-to-day infant and preschool lung function for the AREST CF Program at The RCH.

Since having her two children, Lily and Georgia, Louise continues to assist with the AREST CF program in Melbourne part-time, whilst also managing other research within the Department of Respiratory & Sleep Medicine.

Jaqueline Macpherson,  Research Coordinator - AREST CF Perth

Jacqui initially graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical Science and Biochemistry) from Latrobe University in Melbourne. After moving to Perth with her husband and two kids a few years ago, Jacqui completed her Master’s in Health Science (Physiology) from the University of Western Australia and began work at Sir Charles Gardner Hospital as a Respiratory Scientist.

She started working with the AREST CF team as a Clinical Research Assistant  in December 2019. In 2021 she became the AREST CF Research Coordinator for the Perth team. Her job involves recruiting participants to the AREST CF surveillance study and the respiratory centre biobank (BANK CF),  maintenance of the Surveillance Study, including clinic visits, sample and data collection, liaising with study participants, their parents or guardians, as well as providing support for AREST CF researchers, with the aim of coordinating good clinical practice and good data management practice across AREST CF studies. 

Josh Beeson, Project Officer- AREST CF Perth

Josh graduated with a Masters in Infectious Disease from the University of Western Australia and began work at Linear Clinical Research on the QEII campus.

At Linear his focus was Phase 1 clinical trials, testing the efficacy and safety of new pharmaceuticals and biotechnology through healthy volunteer cohorts.

Josh moved to the AREST CF team at Telethon Kids Institute in early 2020. Here his daily activities are centred around the maintenance of the Early Surveillance Study, data and sample collection and providing support for AREST CF researchers.

"update with eight" feat. Hiep

Hiep Pham
Medical Doctor and PhD Candidate, Melbourne

What was your first job?

I’m so sorry this is super boring but my first paid job was working as a medical intern. I had parents who only wanted my eyes glued to a text book until I could replace it with a degree. But I should feel blessed that they had my financial bases covered until then!

What was the last book you read?

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. If you have time for 700 pages of devastating brilliance then go right ahead.

What was the last movie you saw?

If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?

If you could choose another career?

Interior designer. Think New York loft apartments. Unlimited budgets. Unrealistic expectations.

What superpower would you like to have?

Teleportation. Imagine being able to live anywhere in the world, sleep in until 10 minutes before starting work and getting there in the blink of an eye! Who am I kidding, I’d still be tardy.

Whose mind would you like to read?

My mother’s. Maybe then I could make her happy. No, I love her to bits. But it would make it easier living up to her expectations.

Best award you have ever won? 

Employee of the week July 2017. Best dressed.

"update with eight" feat. Sally

Sally McCappin
Research Assistant, Perth

What was your first job?
Retail Assistant in a chocolate shop.

What was the last book you read?
The Handmaid's Tale.

What was the last movie you have seen?
Black Klansman.

If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
My best friends.

If you could choose another career?
Artist.

What superpower would you like to have?
To read people's mind.

Whose mind would you like to read?
My children.

Best award you have ever won? 
Too old to remember.

“update with eight" feat. Rosemary

Rosemary Alysandratos, Melbourne

What was your first job?
Lab assistant at my former high school.

What was the last book you read? 
The Tale of Despereaux’ with my 11-year-old daughter.

What was the last movie you saw?
‘Dumbo’, again, with my 11-year-old daughter.

If you could have any three dinner companions, who would they be?
I would dine with Michelle Obama, Keanu Reeves and Ellen DeGeneres.

If you could choose another career?
I would choose to delve into the field of archaeology.

What superpower would you like to have?
I would like to teleport so I wouldn’t have to travel to go on a holiday.

Whose mind would you most like to read?
My dog, Bruno.

Best award you have ever won?
An art award for sculpture in grade 6.

 "update with eight" feat. Natalie

Natalie Zajakovski
Respiratory Scientist, Melbourne

What was your first job?
I worked in the cosmetic and shoe departments at Target. I loved attending their fashion events during Melbourne Fashion week and enjoyed many years of makeup and perfume freebies from reps.

What was the last book you read?
Becoming Michelle Obama, she emits a fabulous aura.

What was the last movie you have seen?
A Star is Born

If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
Tony Robbins, Celeste Barber, and Twitch from the Ellen show

If you could choose another career?
I would be a pilot/Haute Couture Patternmaker

What super power would like to have?
Eat all the sweets I want without putting on weight 

Whose mind would you most like to read?
My Border Collie’s, to understand why he loves the soccer ball so much 

Best award you have ever won? 
Volunteer of the month with Peter Mac at the Annual Christmas Lunch held at Parliament House in Melbourne in 2006 

 "update with eight" feat. Nadeene

Nadeene Clarke
Research Co-ordinator, Melbourne

What was your first job?
I worked in a delicatessen on weekends when I was in high school, the highlight of my day was being able to make my own lunch with anything I wanted to eat!

What was the last book you read?
Dog Medicine by Julie Barton. It’s a good read for animal lovers.

What was the last movie you have seen?
Bohemian Rhapsody, being a bit of a Queen fan I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
Unfortunately all mine have sadly passed away, but if I could bring them back for a night it would be: Audrey Hepburn, John Lennon & Robin Williams

If you could choose another career?
I’d love to be a food critic so I could travel the world eating weird and wonderful food while getting paid to do it.

What super power would like to have?
Flying would be very handy.

Whose mind would you most like to read?
This may sound strange, but my parent’s cat Tilly. She’s a bit of an oddball so I would love to know what makes her feline brain tick & understand her random unpredictable behaviour.

Best award you have ever won?
It would probably be a Rotary Award for writing excellence in year 10. 

 "update with eight" feat. Steve

Steve Stick
Northern Star Professor of Children’s Respiratory Health Research, Telethon Kids Institute Director, Telethon Kids Institute Respiratory Research Centre NHMRC Practitioner Fellow Clinical Professor, Perth

What was your first job?
Lifeguard at a local swimming pool

What was the last book you read?

The Dry by Jane Harper

What was the last movie you have seen?
The Post

If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
Nelson Mandela, Neil deGrasse Tyson, William Boyd

If you could choose another career?
Astronomer

What super power would like to have?
To slow time

Whose mind would you most like to read?
My wife's

Best award you have ever won? 
US Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Distinguished Clinical Achievement Award.  It was a Tiffany glass trophy that I dropped after being presented with it

Sarath Ranganathan
Head of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne, Director of Respiratory & Sleep Medicine at the Royal Children’s Hospital & Group

What was your first job?

I just missed out on a job at Viking Burgers in Worcester, the competition was tough! Due to missing out on this my first job was in Orthopaedics in York, UK

What was the last book you read?

Can’t remember the name!

What was the last movie you have seen?
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
Salma Hayek - Mexican actress
Russell Peters – Stand-up comedian
Mahendra Singh Dhoni – Former Indian cricket captain

If you could choose another career?
A diplomat for international relations

What super power would you like to have?
I would like to be the invisible man

Whose mind would you like to read?
Donald Trump - to prove if he has one!

Best award you have ever won? 
When I was 16 years old I was the Fives champion at school.  It’s an English sport also known as hand tennis. 

Tim Rosenow
NHMRC Early Career Fellow, Perth

What was your first job?
I worked in a video store (remember those?).

What was the last book you read?
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth - Chris Hadfield. I enjoyed hearing his perspective and the anecdotes about space, but I am not sure I could live my life by his philosophies: it sounds like a lot of work with no room for fun!

What was the last movie you have seen?
Annihilation.

If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
Ricky Gervais, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Simone Giertz.

If you could choose another career?
Pro cricketer.

What super power would like to have?
Immune to procrastination.

Whose mind would you most like to read?
George R.R. Martin, because I can't handle the suspense.

Best award you have ever won?
When I was eight I won a competition for a huge box of sweet Jurassic Park loot!