SIG Leaders

Angela can be contacted regarding support of student research opportunities via angela@jcpl.com.au.

Max can be contacted regarding support of student research opportunities via max.bulsara@nd.edu.au.

Therese is the Discipline Lead of Nutrition and Dietetics at Edith Cowan University and leads a program of research investigating how to support new parents with breastfeeding and establishing healthy eating habits in babies and toddlers. She also advocates for child and family centred care in research as well as practice.  Alongside her teaching career, A/Prof O’Sullivan has also been a clinical dietitian and a Senior Research Fellow at The Kids Research Institute Australia. A/Prof O’Sullivan has received many accolades for her work in diet and nutrition, including the Nutrition Society of Australia Mid-Career Research Award in 2023.

Therese is now accepting students for supervision, and can be contacted at t.osullivan@ecu.edu.au.

Lynette can be contacted regarding support of student research opportunities via l.vernon@ecu.edu.au.

Peter Franklin is an environmental and occupational epidemiologist at the School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, with research interests in mining exposures and disease (including respiratory disease and cancers), the health effects of air pollution (indoor and outdoor), and early life environmental exposures and children’s health. He is Director of the Occupational Respiratory Epidemiology research group at SPGH. He also teaches both Environmental and Occupational Health, and Epidemiology in the Masters of Public Health course at UWA.

Peter is now accepting Honours, Masters & PhD students for supervision, and can be contacted at peter.franklin@uwa.edu.au.

Phillip is a statistical geneticist and computational biologist at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, specialising in the genomics of complex disease. His research focuses on gene mapping and genome methylation, contributing to the understanding of genetic influences on health and disease. This work is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting good health and reducing inequalities. His research publications include studies on the genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the developmental origins of psycho-cardiometabolic multimorbidity, and the genetic influences on scar vascularity after burn injuries. His work is characterised by its interdisciplinary approach, integrating genetics, epigenetics, and clinical research to address complex disease risk. As a co-leader of the Raine Study Genetics SIG, he oversees research into the genetic and epigenetic factors that influence a wide range of health outcomes from adolescence into adulthood. Phillip is actively involved in teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists. He has supervised numerous postgraduate students and contributed to the development of curricula in bioinformatics and genetic epidemiology. .

Phillip is now accepting Honours, Masters & PhD students for co-supervision, and can be contacted at phillip.melton@uwa.edu.au.

Craig is a globally recognised leader in the field of maternal-fetal medicine and genetics, with a particular focus on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD). With over 20 years of involvement in the Raine Study, he currently serves as the leader of the Genetics Special Interest Group (SIG), where his research examines the role of genetic and epigenetic variations throughout the life-course. Professor Pennell’s work explores how genetic and environmental factors, beginning from the earliest stages of life, shape long-term health outcomes and disease risk.

As a researcher, Craig utilises data from the Raine Study to investigate a broad range of health conditions, including obesity, cardiometabolic diseases, child development, behaviour, autism, ADHD, intelligence, language development, puberty, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. His work aims to develop predictive models for pregnancy complications and early childhood health outcomes, with the goal of improving clinical interventions and public health strategies.

Criag holds the position of Chair in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Professor of Maternal Fetal Medicine at the University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine and Public Health. He is also the Co-Director of the Mothers and Babies Research Program at the Hunter Medical Research Institute, and a Senior Staff Specialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine at John Hunter Hospital. In these roles, Professor Pennell provides academic leadership, fosters excellence in research and clinical practice, and contributes to policy development and the management of high-risk pregnancies. His research and clinical expertise are central to advancing our understanding of maternal and fetal health.

Craig is now accepting Honours, Masters & PhD students for supervision, and can be contacted at craig.pennell@newcastle.edu.au.

Roger is a sub-specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (CREI), he is the National Medical Director of City Fertility, Professor of Reproductive Medicine, Deputy Head of the Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University of Western Australia, and lead clinician for the public fertility service of Western Australia. With over 250 publications he has active research interests in all aspects of reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

He has been involved with the Raine Study for ~20 years with particular interests in the early life origins of reproductive disorder and health outcomes of individuals born from IVF treatment, leading to substantial international media interest, multiple headlines, and 20+ publications. He is currently undertaking a thorough reproductive assessment of Gen2 at 33 years of age.

Professor Hart can be contacted to discuss his research through the Raine Study team at rainestudyscience@uwa.edu.au.

Martha is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne, and the Head of Menopause Services and the Gynaecology Research Centre at The Women’s Hospital, Victoria. Her clinical and research interests are in menopause and she leads a large public menopause service with a focus on cancer patients. In the last few years she has led the team who developed the first Core Outcome Set for menopause (COMMA) and is now leading an international Priority Setting Partnership in menopause (MAPS). She is the “clinical expert” for the NICE guidelines on menopause and in 2024 led the Lancet Clinical Series on Menopause. She has a strong commitment to evidence-based medicine and is an Editor for the Cochrane Collaboration.

Martha is not currently available to serve as a supervisor on student projects, however can be contacted for suggestions regarding other appropriate academics via hickeym@unimelb.edu.au.

Melanie is a highly experienced Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Scientific Director and a CMLS-accredited Clinical Scientist with over 18 years of industry expertise in IVF laboratories. She earned her Doctorate from the University of Western Australia in 2016, specialising in In Vitro Maturation (IVM), and is recognised globally as a leading expert in clinical IVM treatment. Dr. Walls is the Lead Immigration Skills Assessor for IVF Scientists with the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists. She is also a NATA technical expert assessor and an active member of several professional organisations, including the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), Scientists in Reproductive Technology (SIRT), and the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS). Her contributions to the field include numerous articles in high-impact journals, such as Human Reproduction, as well as textbook chapters. Passionate about science, Dr. Walls actively supports research and student mentorship, collaborating extensively with both private industry and the educational sector. Dr. Walls currently serves as the Scientific Director for Concept Fertility in Western Australia and holds an adjunct position as a Senior Lecturer with the University of Western Australia. She is deeply committed to advancing reproductive science and has specific interests in minimally invasive treatment options, oocyte maturation, oncofertility preservation, sperm DNA fragmentation, and the reproductive microbiome.

Melanie is now accepting Honours, Masters & PhD students for supervision, and can be contacted at melanie.walls@conceptfertility.com.au.

Koya is a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist and Clinician Scientist. He is a Clinical Associate Professor with The University of Western Australia (UWA) and Curtin University Medical Schools. He has been actively involved in Raine Study research since his PhD. Koya is one of the lead researchers on fatty liver (also called steatotic liver disease) through the life course, in the Raine Study and at Fiona Stanley Hospital. He also has a strong clinical and research interest in gastrointestinal disorders and in non-invasive assessment of fatty liver and liver fibrosis using the ultrasound-based technologies FibroScan®, attenuation imaging and shear wave elastography. He has been a member of committees developing national and international guidelines and consensus statement for assessment and management of fatty liver and liver fibrosis. He is the Fiona Stanley Hospital principal investigator for several clinical trials for treatment of NASH with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. He believes that community engagement, research and research translation are key to the prevention of liver and related cardiometabolic disorders.

Koya can be contacted regarding support of student research opportunities via oyekoya.ayonrinde@uwa.edu.au.

John is a Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist with over 30 years experience as a specialist, primarily at The Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group where was Head of Gastroenterology from 2010 until July 2020. He has a strong interest in teaching and mentoring medical trainees. He has experience in the private and public health care sectors in Australia and overseas. He has led the implementation of state-wide and national pathways for clinical care.

John is not currently available to serve as the lead supervisor on student projects.

Leon is a gastroenterologist and hepatologist.  He is a local Perth graduate who underwent gastroenterology training in Perth before undertaking a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in the United States and completed a PhD at the University of Western Australia.  His interests include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis.

Leon is not currently able to supervise student projects.

Jeneva is a Professor in the School of Psychological Science at UWA, and seconded half-time to co-lead the Healing Kids, Healing Families team at The Kids Research Institute Australia. Jeneva is a clinical psychologist and directs the clinical psychology program at UWA. Jeneva’s research focuses on understanding when and how to best provide children with access to prevention and intervention (treatment) services to better their mental health and wellbeing. In particular, she works towards improving wellbeing and culturally-responsive services for children and families who are part of marginalised groups. Her work is the result of local, national, and international collaborations, and uses a mix of experimental, observational, administrative linked data, and qualitative methods. Jeneva’s research has been referenced in public policy, policy advisory documents or working papers, government/public inquiry submissions, and government reports in Australia and abroad.

Jeneva is not currently available to serve as the lead supervisor on non-grant related projects, but is open to being part of a supervisory team and can be contacted at jeneva.ohan@uwa.edu.au.

Rob is a teaching and research academic, and Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University. He is Coordinator of the Master of Clinical Physiotherapy course. His research interest focus includes pain in clinical and epidemiological studies, optimal care for non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain and improving pathways of care for musculoskeletal pain.Contact Special Interest Group (SIG) Leaders

Rob is now accepting students for supervision, and can be contacted at r.waller@curtin.edu.au.

Rachel is an epidemiologist at the WA Department of Health in the Immunisation Program and has adjunct research positions at the Kids Research Institute Australia and Curtin University. She has a PhD in Respiratory Physiology and a Master of Biostatistics and has an interest in how early-life insults affect respiratory health. As longitudinal birth cohorts are an important resource to study effects of early-life exposures, she has undertaken several research studies using data from the Raine Study.

Rachel can be contacted regarding co-supervision of student research opportunities via Rachel.Foong@thekids.org.au, but is not currently able to act as a primary supervisor.

Jonatan gained his PhD in 2013 from Lund University in Sweden, studying how the complement system contributed to development of the autoimmune disease SLE (Lupus). In 2014, he moved to Perth to pursue a postdoc on the contribution of airway mucosal dendritic cells in airway IgE sensitisation. His current work is based on high dimensional evaluation of the immune system and he has applied this analysis to several local cohort studies, including the Raine Study. His research involved several aspects of immunology including paediatric asthma, multiple sclerosis and the immunological impact of gender affirming hormones in transgender individuals. He is currently head of the Translational Immunology team at The Kids Research Institute.

Jonatan is now accepting Honours students for supervision, and can be contacted at Jonatan.leffler@thekids.org.au.

Chris is a paediatric audiologist and researcher focused on improving outcomes for children with ear and hearing disorders. He is Head of the Ear Health research team at The Kids Research Institute Australia, a senior audiologist at Perth Children’s Hospital, an Associate Professor at Curtin University and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia. He has been involved in the Raine Study for over 10 years and has led numerous studies examining the prevalence and long-term impact of otitis media and hearing loss on child development.

Chris is now accepting Honours, Masters and PhD students for supervision, and can be contacted at chris.brennan-jones@thekids.org.au.

Rob has been involved in medical research for over 35 years. Since 2001 he has focused on ear and hearing research, especially in telehealth and epidemiology. He is the Research Manager-Corporate at the Ear Science Institute Australia, and was Deputy Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss from 2019-2023. He serves on the Research Committee of the Busselton Health Study. He also has honorary appointments at Curtin University (Adjunct Professor) and the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa (Extra-ordinary Professor). Rob has authored over 250 peer-reviewed papers and 11 book chapters.

Rob is now accepting Honours, Masters and PhD students for supervision, and can be contacted at rob.eikelboom@earscience.org.au.

Sam is a Senior Research Fellow at the Lions Eye Institute and the University of Western Australia. She obtained her PhD at the Queensland University of Technology in 2017 and has been working with the Raine Study ever since. She has contributed to the design of the eye examinations within the Raine Study Generations 1–3. Her work focuses on the genetics and epidemiology of common eye conditions, myopia and glaucoma.

Sam is now accepting Masters and PhD students for supervision, and can be contacted at samantha.lee@lei.org.au.

Jo McVeigh is an Associate Professor at the Curtin School of Allied Health, specialising in high-impact research on physical activity and sedentary behaviour across various age groups. She has extensive expertise in longitudinal birth cohort studies, contributing to significant projects such as the Raine Study in Australia and the Birth to Twenty study in South Africa. Jo is internationally recognised for her work using wearable and device-based methods to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Alongside her research, Jo actively supervises HDR students, curriculum development, course coordination, and teaching within the Allied Health Honours Program at Curtin University.

Jo is now accepting Masters and PhD students for supervision, and can be contacted at Joanne.McVeigh@curtin.edu.au.

Nigel can be contacted regarding support of student research opportunities via Nigel.McArdle@health.wa.gov.au.