I am a postdoctoral researcher working within the Adelaide Cystic Fibrosis Airway Research Group and the Respiratory X-ray Imaging Laboratory, based at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in South Australia. My research focuses on improving the understanding, detection, and treatment of respiratory disease through the use of advanced preclinical models, functional lung imaging, and translational therapeutic approaches.

While my primary research area is cystic fibrosis (CF), my work extends broadly across respiratory disease, including muco-obstructive lung disease, chronic bacterial infections, airway obstruction, and other conditions associated with impaired ventilation and lung function. I am particularly interested in how early functional changes within the lung contribute to disease progression, and how emerging technologies can identify these changes before irreversible damage occurs.

My research journey began in 2019 when I undertook an Honours project investigating lentiviral gene therapy in a CF rat model. This work resulted in the first demonstration of in vivo CFTR correction in the nasal airway epithelium, highlighting the potential of genetic therapies to address the underlying cause of CF disease.

My PhD work focused on using X-ray Velocimetry (XV)—a novel imaging modality that captures lung function in real-time—to study respiratory disease in animal models. I have applied XV to assess lung function in CF rats, β-ENaC transgenic mice, and preclinical models of obstructive lung disease. My research has demonstrated regional ventilation differences in these models, contributing to our understanding of disease progression and treatment efficacy.

I also have an interest in bacterial lung infections, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which remains a significant challenge in CF care. I have developed and characterised a chronic Pseudomonas lung infection model in CF rats to better replicate human disease and assess therapeutic strategies.

In addition to my research responsibilities, I manage the breeding and maintenance of the only two CF rat models in the Southern Hemisphere, which are a vital resource for translational research in Australia.

Research Goals
My long-term research goal is to improve the early detection, monitoring, and treatment of respiratory disease in both paediatric and adult populations. By integrating advanced imaging technologies, functional lung assessments, and therapeutic development, I aim to better understand disease mechanisms, identify early markers of lung dysfunction, and contribute to the development of more effective and personalised respiratory treatments.

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