The 2024 Conference will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland from 2-4 August, encompassing both the medical sessions and non-medical sessions….
WA Cystic Fibrosis Research Collaborative Program
The WA Cystic Fibrosis Research Collaborative Program is a partnership between the Western Australian Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund and Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA), in collaboration with Conquer Cystic Fibrosis (CCF).
Funded Research
Recipient: Sarah Thomas
Institution: University of Western Australia
Year: 2025
Project Stream: 1, Postgraduate Top-Up Scholarships
Project Title: Too much of a good thing?: A blood test to check and understand the levels of CFTR modulators.
Project Description
Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects roughly 90,000 children and adults worldwide. The recent development of CFTR modulators (CFTRm), a new class of medicines that can be life-changing if not life-saving for many CF patients, has transformed treatment by targeting the underlying cause of CF. However, the responses and side effects to these medications are variable, and interactions with other medicines are common.
Despite being amongst the most costly and groundbreaking treatments for CF, CFTRm are prescribed at the same dose for all patients. This doesn’t account for differences in how patients respond. As a result, some patients are changing the amount of medication they take to avoid unwanted side effects.
This research will develop a blood test in Australia to determine drug levels in patients and will be the first readily available test in Australia. The results will allow doctors to individualise dosing plans, for example a patient may be able to take a lower amount of medicine and still get the same benefit but without unwanted side effects.
The study will also generate important data on drug levels in the blood to guide future recommendations ultimately improving medication adherence and overall patient well-being.
Researcher Profile
Sarah Thomas is a Medical Scientist at PathWest Laboratory Medicine and PhD candidate with University of Western Australia. She has over 15 years of pharmacology and toxicology laboratory experience.
She is involved in design, validation, implementation, troubleshooting and sample analysis for mass spectrometry methods for the detection of a range of analytes in different matrices. She has a passion for improving pharmacokinetic knowledge of new medicines and bridging the gap between laboratory methods and useful clinical applications to improve patient outcomes.
Recipient: Talya Conradie
Institution: The Kids Research Institute Australia (on behalf of the Centre for Child Health Research, on behalf of The University of Western Australia)
Year: 2025
Project Stream: 1, Postgraduate Top-Up Scholarships
Project Title: New ways to stop lung infections caused by viruses in people with cystic fibrosis.
Project Description
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) are incredibly susceptible to respiratory viruses. Because of the ability of the built-up mucus in the lungs to “capture,” and retain viruses. Children are especially vulnerable to respiratory viruses, which can lead to a worsening lung condition, difficulty breathing, and can potentially be fatal depending on the infection.
While most current treatment strategies are reactive, this project aims to discover different treatment approaches that not only prevent viral infections but also preserve the lung health of children with CF for as long as possible. Azithromycin is an antibiotic that is used in different treatment plans for people with CF. A clinical trial has shown that azithromycin is able to decrease inflammation in the lungs of infants, but how this is achieved is currently unknown.
My project aims to investigate how azithromycin could be influencing the naturally occurring viruses in the lungs to decrease inflammation, and whether this ability could be harnessed to defend against viral respiratory infections. I will also analyse how bacterial communities in the nose of children could hold the key to preventing and predicting infections, opening the door to a new world of research and treatment strategies for people with CF.
Researcher Profile
Talya is a research scientist with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Systems Medicine from Murdoch University. With a strong passion for understanding how microorganisms influence the respiratory system, she intends to apply her expertise in bioinformatics to improve treatment outcomes in patients. Talya is currently pursuing a PhD at the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre at The Kids Research Institute and the University of Western Australia.
Her research focuses on how microbial communities in the lungs affect susceptibility to viruses in children with Cystic Fibrosis, as well as the impact of therapies like azithromycin on the virome and immune system.
Postgraduate Top-Up Scholarships
CFWA funds postgraduate top-up scholarships, to encourage researchers to pursue and maintain CF related careers. We want to help as many early career researchers as possible conduct research projects on CF for higher degree study.
Scholarships are advertised at least annually, with a value of $12,500 per annum for three years, for students who are conducting research for a higher degree (PhD, MD or equivalent) on a CF related research project.
The scholarships are awarded to individuals who already have an award of a studentship and fees, such as an APA, a University postgraduate award, an NHMRC Studentship or equivalent. Applications are welcome from those carrying out laboratory, clinical, allied health or public health projects.
Funded Research
2020-2024
Scholar: Danni Li
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2024
Project Description: Danni is researching the use of Trikafta in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Danni’s work is in an area of increasing importance to people with CF and their families.
Scholar: Jack Canning
Institution: The Kids Research Institute Australia, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2023
Project Description: Jack’s research investigates the use of bacteriophages to treat rare and challenging CF lung infections caused by the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia.
Scholar: Rohan Flint
Institution: Curtin University/The Kids Research Institute Australia, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2023
Project Description: Rohan’s project explores novel ways of nebulising (aerosolising) bacteriophages and testing their effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant bacteria on human airway cells.
Scholar: Andrew Vaitekenas
Institution: The Kids Research Institute Australia, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2021
Project Description: Andrew’s project aims to understand how Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a key pathogen of CF-related lung infections) becomes resistant to bacteriophage treatment and develop strategies that increase the effectiveness of bacteriophage therapy.
Scholar: Maggie Harrigan
Institution: The University of Western Australia, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2020
Project Description: Self-concept, defined as one’s self-perception, is linked to mental and social wellbeing. Maggie will explore self-concept in adults with CF, particularly in the era of CFTR modulators, which are projected to revolutionize what it means to have CF. Mixed methods research will be used to develop contemporary self-concept knowledge and resources.
Scholar: Joshua Iszatt
Institution: Curtin University, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2020
Project Description: Joshua’s project involves identifying and isolating bacteriophages (from different sources) that can kill Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most antibiotic-resistant bacteria that causes lung infection in people with CF.
2015-2019
Scholar: Renee Ng
Institution: The University of Western Australia, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2019
Project Description: Renee’s project will be the first to compare the effectiveness of isolated bacteriophages against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas from people with CF and conduct preclinical studies to justify downstream clinical trials. It also aims to identify which bacteriophage therapy can kill the bacteria and reduce infection-induced inflammation. Overall, this work will test the feasibility of phage therapy in this setting and develop a screening tool for high-throughput bacteriophage assessment
Scholar: Naomi Chapman
Institution: Curtin University/Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2019
Project Description: Effective airway clearance techniques (ACT) are crucial for managing CF, helping to reduce exacerbations and slow disease progression. This research will evaluate the effectiveness of a promising new device, MetaNeb® on lung function, secretion clearance, and symptoms in adults with CF, both well and hospitalised. It will also assess novel outcome measures for detecting changes post-ACT.
Scholar: Samuel Montgomery
Institution: The Kid Research Institute Australia, Western Australia
Funder: Hardie Foundation Scholarship
Year: 2017
Project Description: CF related lung disease occurring in the first few months is often detectable before the presentation of clinical symptoms. This study aims to determine whether inflammation resulting from cell death in the airway is increased in early lung disease in CF. It also aims to identify differences in specific gene pathways during inflammation resulting from cell death in the CF airway.
Scholar: Kelly Martinovich
Institution: Princess Margaret Hospital, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2017
Project Description: This project aims to develop personalised therapies for rare CF mutations, focusing on antisense oligonucleotides (AOs). AOs can correct faulty gene-to-protein messages and improve CFTR protein function. They can also be tailored to target specific sites in the CF gene based on the mutation’s location and type.
Scholar: Clara Mok
Institution: University of Western Australia/The Kids Institute Australia, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2016
Project Description: This project aims to understand a common phenomenon called trapped air in early CF using Computed tomography (CT). It also explores whether functional Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a less invasive technique, can be used to replace CT scans in studying the trapped air and the mechanisms underlying early CF-lung disease progression.
2010-2014
Scholar: Venkataravanamma Puvvadi
Institution: University of Western Australia, Western Australia
Funder: Conquer Cystic Fibrosis
Year: 2014
Project Description: This project studies the impact of acidity of the liquid lining of the airway by comparing children with and without cystic fibrosis; correcting the acidity is shown to normalise the body’s reaction to bacteria.
Scholar: Tim Rosenow
Institution: University of Western Australia, Western Australia
Funder: Lung Distance Runners
Year: 2013
Project Description: This research is focused on developing a novel CT assessment method to quantitate air trapping in the lungs of CF patients.
Scholar: Cindy Branch-Smith
Institution: The Kids Research Institute Australia/Edith Cowan University, Western Australia
Funder: SBA Foundation
Year: 2012
Project Description: Cindy’s project investigates levels of stress, depression and family and relationship
functioning among families of young children with CF and relating these to health in the child.
Scholar: Luke Garratt
Institution: The Kids Research Institute Australia/Edith Cowan University, Western Australia
Funder: McCusker Family Trust
Year: 2011
Project Description: Luke’s project aims to understand the relationship between neutrophil elastase (NE) and lung inflammation in early-life CF. NE is an enzyme that plays a significant role in the inflammatory response, and its overactivity can lead to lung damage. This project will also explore potential treatment options to mitigate this inflammation, ultimately aiming to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for children with CF.”
Innovation Grants
CFWA aims to fund a significant innovation grant annually, as a catalyst for new or novel CF research. These grants enable post-doctoral researchers to explore novel concepts at feasibility stage and generate sufficient data to position to secure ongoing funding support.
Grants are advertised with an indicative award value of $80,000 awarded to one applicant for one year. The actual amount provided will be subject to approval of the applicant’s budget.
The scholarships are awarded to post-doctoral researchers currently working in or proposing to work in CF research. The researcher will have completed a research higher degree in CF or a related area within the last ten years.
Funded Research
2023
Scholar: Dr Nikhil Awatade
Institution: Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic Innovation Grant 2023
Year: 2023
Project Description: This project aims to investigate the mechanism of cystic fibrosis (CF)-related liver disease using a novel disease model called organoids, which are generated from patient-specific cells known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This approach not only provides a safer and more effective way to understand the disease but also aids in the design of targeted therapies.
Scholar: Dr Yuliya Karpievitch
Institution: The Kids Research Institute Australia, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Innovation Grant 2023
Year: 2023
Project Description: This project explores the use of artificial intelligence-in developing personalised bacteriophage ‘cocktails’ tailored to treat antibiotic-resistant infections in patients with CF.
Other CFWA-Funded Research
In addition to postgraduate scholarships and innovation grants, CFWA provides funding for other research endeavours periodically. This may include research fellowships, discrete projects or initiatives to advance research capability.
For more information on our current programs, please contact our Finance and Administration Manager via email (accounts@cfwa.org.au) or on 08 6224 4100.
Funded Projects
2020-2024
Scholar: Chris Malajczuk
Institution: The Kids Research Institute Australia, Western Australia
Funder: CFWA Golf Classic
Year: 2024
Project Description: Antimicrobial resistance is rising and poses a significant threat to global health, especially for people with CF. This project aims to develop PhageTrainer, an artificial intelligence platform to enhance phage therapy, a promising alternative antimicrobial treatment.
Scholar: Julie Depiazzi & Crystal Bourke
Institution: Perth Children Hospital, Western Australia
Funder: Donor Funded Project Grant
Year: 2023
Project Description: This project investigates the health consequences of Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), a condition where parts of the windpipe or airways are floppier than would be considered normal, in children with CF. This research will help identify the potential long-term impact of TBM and assist in the design of strategies to manage this condition effectively.
Scholar: Dr Luke Garratt
Institution: The University of Western Australia/The Kids Research Institute Australia, Western Australia
Funder: Golf Classic Grant 2021
Year: 2021
Project Description: This project explores the potential of novel nanoparticles in modifying the function and behaviour of a type of immune cells called Neutrophils, which are found to play an important role in CF related airway inflammation and lung diseases. This research paves the way for innovative therapeutic strategies to manage airway inflammation and improve lung health in CF patient.