2023 Winter Edition - Together

Discovering why is what we do

MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Discovering ‘why’ underpins everything we do at Telethon Kids Institute.

It drives our researchers to question, probe and interrogate the science to find answers and unlock the mysteries around many chronic and debilitating health conditions which affect children around the world. We are driven by our vision for happy, healthy kids.

We currently have more than 800 research projects under way, each dedicated to improving the lives of children living with disease and illness. From finding new treatments to beat the deadliest forms of childhood cancers to early intervention through evidence-based therapies to help autistic children, Telethon Kids is dedicated to discovering ‘why’.

As you will read in the pages of this latest edition of Together, our researchers’ commitment to discovering ‘why?’ may have unlocked a new vaccine for the potentially deadly whooping cough, in the form of a nasal spray. Their results show the spray will not only provide protection by producing antibodies in the blood, but also in the nose and throat, reducing the risk of spreading the disease.

Understanding ‘why’ Aboriginal children who leave hospital after having a chest infection continue to have a high rate of acute lung disease, has helped another team of scientists to develop a culturally sensitive intervention to ensure young patients receive essential medical follow-up after discharge.

My personal ‘why’ is to end rheumatic heart disease (RHD) – an entirely preventable and often fatal condition. Australia has the world’s highest rate of RHD, with 1,300 Australians, some as young as seven years old, living with the condition. Yet a simple course of antibiotics would eliminate the threat of this disease, which is caused by untreated, repeated Strep A infections.

The holy grail in Strep A research is a vaccine and Telethon Kids is leading the charge internationally. The Institute is home to the Australian Strep A Vaccine Initiative (ASAVI), a partnership with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute which is working to fast-track a safe, effective vaccine to prevent Strep A infection.

We rely on the generosity of our dedicated donors, philanthropic supporters and corporate sponsors, all of whom are critical in helping our researchers in their quests to solve the biggest health problems facing children.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to helping us discover ‘why’. Your support ensures our research can continue and that together we can one day achieve our vision of health, happy kids.

Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM Executive Director

What is whooping cough?

According to Professor Peter Richmond – Head of the Vaccine Trials Group at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at Telethon Kids Institute, Head of Immunology at Perth Children’s Hospital, and Head of Paediatrics at The University of Western Australia – whooping cough is caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis. The bacteria can cause an infection in the upper airway and lungs, in turn leading to a severe, long-lasting cough.

“Our current whooping cough vaccines work by producing antibodies in the blood, and while this has proven to be very effective in protecting people from becoming seriously unwell, unfortunately we don’t yet have a vaccine with the ability to stop the infection from occurring, or prevent the illness passing to others,” Professor Richmond said.

“It is hoped that using a nasal spray vaccine could provide added protection by not only producing antibodies in the blood, but also in the nose and throat – preventing the bacteria from developing an infection, and therefore ending the spread to community members most at risk.”

Professor Richmond said the nasal spray trial was an incredibly exciting step forward for vaccine research.

“The outcome of this trial could save hundreds of families worldwide from going through the devastating experience of losing a child to whooping cough,” he said.

World-first nasal spray vaccine aims to protect families

Tiny babies could soon have much-needed protection from community transmission of potentially deadly whooping cough, thanks to a world-first nasal spray vaccine being trialled at Telethon Kids Institute.

Researchers involved in the global SUPER Study will investigate whether a nasal spray vaccine can provide superior protection against whooping cough by preventing the bacteria from causing an infection in the first place, therefore halting the spread to vulnerable young babies.

For Catherine Hughes and her family – who became vocal advocates for immunisation after the death of their son, Riley, at just 32 days old from whooping cough in 2015 – the vaccine represents a promising breakthrough.

The family, passionate about the importance of parents and community members standing up to advocate for the importance of vaccines, established the Immunisation Foundation of Australia following Riley’s death. The Foundation’s core mission is to inspire further community-based immunisation advocacy, and help protect babies and families from vaccine-preventable diseases.

In recognition of her tireless advocacy, Catherine was named WA Young Australian of the Year in 2016 and made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2022.

She and her family recently stepped up their efforts by joining the SUPER Study at Telethon Kids, with Riley’s sister Olivia, now 11, surprising her mother by deciding to sign up for the clinical trial in memory of her brother.

“I didn’t think she’d want to volunteer for something that involves extra needs and blood tests! But she couldn’t sign up fast enough – she was so excited to do something she feels will protect others from a disease that has had such a huge impact on our family,” Catherine said.

“She’s seen the horrors of whooping cough first-hand and I’m certain that has been her motivation to take part.”

Olivia said that if the nasal spray turned out to be successful and resulted in the elimination of whooping cough in the community, she would feel proud knowing she had done her bit.

“I want to make sure young children are safe from terrible diseases like whooping cough. It’s a disease that can kill and I don’t want that to happen to anyone else,” she said.

Catherine said the experience had been educational, teaching Olivia about medical research, vaccines and how trials work.

“I think she has personally gained something from taking part, but of course the biggest gain is to the community,” she said.

For more information about the SUPER Study, or to sign up, please visit vaccine.telethonkids.org.au or email whoopingcough@telethonkids.org.au

Olivia Hughes, 11, taking part in the SUPER study

Dedicated scientist to honour Fiona Stanley

In the late 1980s, executives from Western Australia’s Princess Margaret Hospital and The University of Western Australia met to decide how best to create a unique research centre – one that would help attract the best national and international child health researchers to WA.

Simultaneously, Professor of Paediatrics Lou Landau and epidemiologist Professor Fiona Stanley had been dreaming up a multidisciplinary institute where lab and population scientists could work with clinical researchers and clinicians to investigate the causes, prevention and management of childhood disease and disability.

Finding themselves at the right place at the right time, the pair put forward their vision and several years later, in June 1990, the Institute – initially known as the WA Research Institute for Child Health – officially opened its doors with Fiona as inaugural Director and Lou as inaugural Chair. Together, they created a legacy that is internationally recognised today as Telethon Kids Institute.

Now, the Institute is honouring that legacy through the creation of two dedicated research Chairs in Fiona and Lou’s names, to be held by worldleading researchers who will contribute to academic leadership and excellence in child health in WA.

Earlier this year we announced the appointment of Professor Melissa Penny as the inaugural Fiona Stanley Chair in Child Health Research – a joint appointment between Telethon Kids and UWA.

With more than 16 years’ experience, Melissa is a mathematical disease modeller with a passion for advancing prevention and treatment, product development, and health policy for vulnerable populations.

She has identified multiple complementary topics (malaria, respiratory viruses, vaccines and drug development) and begun working across the Institute’s research themes to combine her work in modelling and analytics with our existing expertise, to improve disease prevention and children's health. Her group is already collaborating with the Malaria Atlas Project team at Telethon Kids, and discussions are under way around potential joint projects.

Melissa takes up the role after leading the Disease Modelling Research Unit in the Epidemiology and Public Health department at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel.

We look forward to announcing the Lou Landau Chair in the second half of the year.

To read more about Professor Lou Landau, read his story –part of our ongoing Founders Series – on page 18.

Left: Professor Fiona Stanley AC with Professor Melissa Penny

Aboriginal knowledge informing modern medicine

With antibiotic resistance now a global health priority, researchers at Telethon Kids Institute are working on a promising alternative known as phage therapy – the use of ‘superhero’ viruses found in our natural environment to treat bacterial infections that won’t respond to antibiotics.

A research team led by Associate Professor Anthony Kicic hopes to engage with Aboriginal communities through community-led consultation that aims to see the viruses given names in local languages, and used to treat persistent infections.

Bacteriophages, or phages, are specialised viruses that infect and kill bacteria. Found all around us in nature, including in still water sources, they can be harnessed for good – helping to treat people experiencing antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

The novel approach could prove particularly transformational in Aboriginal communities, where incidences of skin, ear and lung infections occur at higher rates than in the wider population.

As a result of these higher rates of infections and – and more frequent prescription of antibiotics – anti-microbial resistance in these communities is also commonly higher than in the general population.

“Traditionally, Aboriginal communities have been known to access still water sources as places of healing during periods of poor health. Since phages are sourced from the natural environment, phage therapy can be considered more consistent with Traditional methods of healing," Anthony said.

Led by Anthony, Phage WA, part of the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre at Telethon Kids – a powerhouse partnership between Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and Perth Children’s Hospital – has plans to consult with Elders in Wongatha (Goldfields),

Whadjuk Noongar (South-West), Yawuru (Kimberley) and Kariyarra (Pilbara) communities to describe phages and involve local voices in its translation as a treatment.

“We’ve developed a process of engagement in consultation with the Kulunga Aboriginal Research unit and other groups to build understanding of the whole story,” he said.

“We hope to employ an Aboriginal co researcher and begin yarning with Elders to discuss the importance of land and water, and how phages might be similar to Traditional treatments.”

Once communities are engaged, the team hopes, with permission, to source phages from local soils and bodies of water.

“We need to treat any samples we get with recognised respect since land and water hold significant value to the Aboriginal community,” Anthony said.

“Our goal is to be invited to sample water from different locations, isolate phages, and send images of them back to the community they were taken from to be named.”

Noongar language teacher and Whadjuk Noongar woman Sharon Gregory has already named some of the phages as part of the storytelling journey in the Noongar region around Perth, with names like ‘Kara-mokiny kep-wari Wadjak’ translating to ‘spider-like still water pond from Wadjuk’.

In support of their consultation work, Wal-yan will also open a phage manufacturing facility in mid-2023.

This project has received funding from Cell and Tissue Therapies WA, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Rothwell Family Foundation, the Medical Research Future Fund and Therapewutic Innovations Australia

Right: Associate Professor Anthony Kicic inspects a water sample

Professor Alex Brown – First Indigenous member of CSIRO board

Collaboration with McCusker Centre for Citizenship sparks inspiring impact

Telethon Kids Institute and Australian National University Professor of Indigenous Genomics, Professor Alex Brown, has become the first Indigenous member of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Board.

A proud member of the Yuin nation, Alex is a leading Indigenous doctor and scientist with a strong focus on using cutting-edge science to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Since joining the Telethon Kids Institute Board of Directors in 2016, Alex has worked closely with the Institute to apply his wisdom, expertise and leadership to guide our commitment for WA Aboriginal children and families, and to make sure we can encourage the next generation of Aboriginal children to

He was a member of the esteemed panel which conducted our 2018 International Scientific Review and in 2021 was named Professor of Indigenous Genomics as part of a strategic partnership between Telethon Kids Institute and The Australian National University (ANU).

Alex is currently leading several important research projects to improve access to genomic medicine for Indigenous people. Working in partnership with Aboriginal communities, his work ensures genomic research is ethical and culturally and socially appropriate, and that it delivers the benefits of genomics to Aboriginal children and families through enhanced and targeted delivery of health care.

As the first Indigenous scientist appointed to the CSIRO Board, Alex will undoubtedly contribute a wealth of experience in understanding and overcoming health inequalities.

If you would like to learn more or you’re interested in supporting our work in Aboriginal Health, please contact giving@telethonkids.org.au

Telethon Kids Institute has been a proud strategic partner of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship at The University of Western Australia since 2021. The Centre was established in 2015 with the goal of fostering caring, connected and socially engaged citizens who actively contribute to the wellbeing of their communities.

UWA students Sophia Jacka and Ryan Mendoza joined Telethon Kids Institute in the second half of 2022, completing their 100 internship hours with our community engagement team, CONNECT – a whole-ofinstitute approach to excellence in community engagement.

In practice, this saw them undertake a range of work including community workshops and outreach to schools.

Sophia said the ‘Thinking Big’ community consultations had been a great way to start her internship and learn about community engagement.

“Ryan and I were involved by contacting community members, and even joined parts of the workshops by sharing opinions and listening to others’ perspectives on community issues,” Sophia said.

“We also worked with the schools outreach team to assist with a couple of the school incursions. It was heart-warming to see how fascinated the children were by the science experiments and the labs.”

Since completing her internship, Sophia has decided to join CONNECT to remain in touch and engaged with the Institute. Personally touched by the work at Telethon Kids, she’s also decided to use her lived experience by becoming a valued member of the Telethon Kid’s Cancer Team Community Reference Group.

“We all want to ‘make a difference’, but the hard part is knowing how,” Sophia said. “Through my internship, I was surrounded by an amazing team of talented and passionate people who make a difference every day. They made me think, ‘I want to be like you when I grow up!’.

“I now aspire to have a future career in community engagement – specifically, working with the children in our community.”

Supervisors Belinda Frank and Karen Forde from CONNECT said the duo had always been quick to step up whenever an opportunity came their way.

“Ryan and Sophia assisted teams over multiple areas at the Institute – building skills and knowledge that they could then use to apply to developing the Community Conversation & Volunteer program,” Belinda said.

“The McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship program hits so many levels of collaboration, partnership, and CONNECTion, that makes it a perfect strategic partnership, creating lasting impact.”

To read more about our community engagement programs or to join CONNECT, please scan here.

Sophia, Ryan and the CONNECT team celebrate Ryan’s 18th birthday during his internship

Discovering why is what we do

Please help us to discover why through a gift to Telethon Kids today

Our individual ‘why’ is often what drives our passion and purpose. At Telethon Kids Institute we’re committed to asking why some children are affected by the most devastating and common diseases. Our team of researchers, scientists, experts and students are asking, and answering, the tough questions facing child health.

Discovering why is what we do, but we can’t do it without you.

Dr Janessa Pickering is a mum and a researcher. She loves bugs – not the insect kind, the bacterial kind.

Janessa is a research microbiologist investigating upper respiratory tract pathogens that cause disease in children. Her focus is on accurate and rapid detection of sore throats caused by Strep A bacteria – essential for correct diagnosis and treatment. Undetected Strep A or chronic reoccurrence of this disease, most prevalent in infants and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged under five, can lead to rheumatic heart disease and sepsis – both terrible but preventable diseases.

As a researcher and a mum, Janessa can see the impact of child health research every day, and that’s why she is committed to making a difference.

“We can all get on board to support the notion that kids deserve the best start to life. And that’s

what child health research is about, supporting vulnerable populations to thrive in modern life,” she said.

When you donate to Telethon Kids you are supporting Western Australia’s only child health research institute, dedicated to discovering, curing, and preventing chronic disease and illness that affect our children.

It’s because of the incredible generosity of our supporter community that life-changing breakthroughs are possible, but there is still so much to be done.

Your support today can help researchers like Janessa continue to push the limits and ask the important questions such as – why?

A gift to Telethon Kids Institute this end of financial year will create life-changing opportunities for researchers to continue their work but also for kids in WA and around the world to lead happy, healthy lives.

Please donate today by scanning the QR code or returning the donation form.

Dr Janessa Pickering

Drawing conclusions about sibling relationships

Children across Australia aged 4-12 years are picking up their crayons and pencils to draw pictures of themselves and their siblings in a simple study that will help researchers learn more about sibling relationships.

The online study, led by Telethon Kids Institute and The University of Western Australia PhD student Caitlin Gray, is part of a wider project investigating the experiences of children who grow up with a sibling or siblings who have a disability or a chronic medical condition.

Drawing is seen as an easy and natural form of communication for children that captures their knowledge and feelings without them actually needing to describe them.

“The drawing study offers a window into the feelings of these children while still young and can help demonstrate how their experiences may differ from other children,” Caitlin said.

“This can help fill in the picture across the life course, in turn helping to guide and develop new models of support for siblings who may be vulnerable.”

By analysing children’s creativity and artistic licence, and what sibling characteristics they include in their drawings at different ages, the researchers hope to learn how the children’s perspective changes over time.

Caitlin said disability research to date had largely focused on children living with disability, but this study turned the focus outwards to the other children in the family.

“When there’s a child in the family with disability, or even a chronic condition like diabetes or asthma, much of the focus tends naturally to be on that child,” she said. “They tend to need more medical appointments, more time with the parents, and it can

put a strain on family resources, create a challenging home environment, and limit opportunities for siblings.”

But as well as facing some challenges, the siblings of children with disabilities gain a lot from their relationships.

“We know that children who grow up with a sibling who has special needs or is living with a chronic condition often learn some important skills that they carry through to adulthood,” Caitlin said.

“They often learn to be empathetic and caring from a very young age and siblings can become very strong advocates for their brother or sister as they face additional challenges, which creates a really special bond.”

While the research focus is on childhood disability or chronic conditions, the

researchers are keen to receive drawings from as many children with siblings as possible, living in a diverse range of families.

“We really want to hear from children who have siblings with a disability or chronic condition, but we are also very keen to hear from children in families where this isn’t the case, so we can compare sibling experiences across different types of families,” Caitlin said.

“This study isn’t about drawing masterpieces – the quality or detail in the drawings – but, more importantly, about capturing each child’s visual voice.

“It’s so fun and simple but it could give us really valuable insights that we can use to help families who live every day with added challenges.”

To learn more and take part visit https://redcap.link/ siblingdrawingstudy or email siblings@telethonkids.org.au

One of the families participating in the Sibling Drawing Study

Some of the drawings already submitted to the study

Intervention creates improved lung health for Aboriginal children

A co-designed and culturally secure intervention – designed to improve medical follow-up for Aboriginal children hospitalised with acute chest infections –has demonstrated improved longer-term lung health outcomes for children.

The study, co-led by respiratory clinicianresearchers Dr Pam Laird and Associate Professor André Schultz, evaluated the implementation of a hospital-based, culturally secure intervention to facilitate medical follow-up for Aboriginal children who had been hospitalised with chest infections, four weeks after discharge from Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH).

The intervention included hospital system changes, hospital staff training and culturally secure health information, with resources being provided to families.

Pam said Aboriginal children hospitalised with acute chest infections were at risk of developing bronchiectasis – a chronic, debilitating and life-shortening lung disease.

“The earliest sign of chronic lung disease after hospitalisation is usually a wet cough for more than four weeks,” she said. “If the ongoing wet cough is managed early, bronchiectasis can often be prevented. Therefore, effective follow-up after being discharged from hospital is essential.”

This world-leading study, published in February this year in the journal, The Lancet Regional Health – Western-Pacific, saw the researchers measure health outcomes for 181 children, both before and after the intervention. They found follow-up rates one month after hospital discharge were more than three times higher in children after intervention,

compared with those who did not receive the intervention.

Pam, who is a researcher with the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre – a powerhouse partnership between Telethon Kids Institute, PCH and Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation – and a physiotherapist with PCH, said the study demonstrated the urgent need for a national follow-up strategy for Aboriginal children who are hospitalised for acute chest infections, to prevent more serious lung disease.

“Almost one in five young Aboriginal children hospitalised for an acute chest infection is diagnosed with bronchiectasis within two years of being discharged,” she said.

“While national guidelines recommend Aboriginal children receive medical follow-up a month following hospital discharge, to ensure any ongoing cough can be treated, this is not widely known and there are not processes in place to facilitate this.

“Our aim now is to collaborate to scaleup this study as a national clinical trial. We would like to facilitate implementation of a culturally secure follow-up strategy in other regions of Australia, to ensure Aboriginal children around the nation are receiving effective medical followup and treatment. And if we can demonstrate wider success in respiratory health, then perhaps this strategy can be adapted to address other key health issues for Aboriginal children.”

Other Telethon Kids researchers involved in the study included Jack Whitby, Dr Matthew Cooper, and Elizabeth McKinnon.

This research was supported by a Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (PCHF) New Investigator Grant, the Medical Research Future Fund, and by Mineral Resources Limited – proudly supporting the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre via PCHF as Principal Partner of the BREATH (Building Respiratory Equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health) Team. The team is led by paediatric lung health researcher, and Mineral Resources Fellow, Associate Professor André Schultz.

Dr Pam Laird working with Indi-Rose Michael

FOUNDERS SERIESEmeritus Professor

Lou Landau

It was a chance update about a long-ago patient that initially sparked an exciting idea in Professor Lou Landau’s mind.

As Professor of Paediatrics at Princess Margaret Hospital, he had the difficult job of informing his patients with chronic health conditions that they may never make it to the age of 20.

Such had been the case with a little girl early in his career, diagnosed with cystic fibrosis – a condition that, at the time, typically led to an average lifespan in the teens.

Years later, by now the mid-1980s, he happened to be speaking with the girl’s mother, who let him know that, thanks to his care, the girl was now 40, with a successful career running multiple restaurants.

“I realised that as a clinician, I could have an impact on one family. But the reality was that the changing lifespan for conditions like that was due to research,” Lou said.

“It made me realise that if we really wanted to ensure that more children could have happier, healthier lives, we needed to promote research in Western Australia.”

It was a thought that would give birth, before very long, to Western Australia’s first and only child health research institute. At the time, Fiona Stanley was the State’s best-known paediatric researcher, so Lou contacted her and the two joined forces.

Working together to approach government, health professionals, The University of Western Australia, local businesses, and the media, it wasn’t long before the pair had rallied support to establish a purpose-built child health research institute – the first of its kind.

“Even though it’s 30 years ago, it feels like yesterday,” Lou said. “It really came down to attracting the right people and encouraging community to support the idea.

“It was amazing to work with Fiona – she was always so passionate, with so much initiative and enthusiasm to achieve the vision.”

In 1989 the WA Research Institute for Child Health opened its doors, powered by a vision that remains at the heart of Telethon Kids Institute, as it’s known today.

In 1996, Lou was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his contribution to paediatrics and research in respiratory medicine. As a leading paediatrician, he focused on all aspects of child health throughout his career – from conception through to pregnancy, early life, and their impact on outcomes in later childhood and adulthood.

His particular interest, though, was Aboriginal health – something he has always believed is everyone’s business. His focus on rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a key research area at Telethon Kids today. An entirely preventable and often fatal condition, RHD is caused by repeated, untreated Strep A infections – particularly prevalent in Indigenous communities.

Spearheaded by Lou 30 years ago, today we are looking at new and faster ways to diagnose, treat and potentially eliminate such diseases altogether.

In his characteristically humble way, Professor Landau believes research is just the starting point for interventions which will improve childhood outcomes – not only saving the lives of children but also maximising their potential.

It’s this translation from research to impact which is where the real difference is made, but Lou knows it takes more than good will to make it happen.

“The Institute has more than 800 projects under way, and to actually see how they impact children’s lives and the lives of their families, is just incredible – but the sustainability of this research is a big issue,” Lou said.

“Support is provided by government through competitive grants, which does help, but private donations actually provide the additional benefit that is needed to achieve the outcomes we’re seeking to achieve.”

Reflecting on his hopes for the Institute’s future, Lou encouraged researchers to take advantage of the opportunities presented by being co-located with Perth Children’s Hospital.

“The interaction between the Institute and Perth Children’s Hospital on the same site ensures we aren’t just an Institute that’s producing papers, but working with children and families to improve their lives,” he said.

“I believe the Institute will continue to have profound effects locally, nationally, and worldwide.”

Emeritus Professor Lou Landau is now retired but remains heavily involved at Telethon Kids Institute, when he isn’t busy travelling or spending time with wife Miriam and their family.

Asked what he was most proud of, he simply said: “I’m lucky to have been given the opportunity to do it.”

Building and investing in local research

The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation has a long tradition of funding Western Australian research that aims to solve problems and deliver tangible outcomes that will benefit children, adolescents and young people.

Telethon Kids Institute has had a proud partnership with the Foundation for 30 years, through its support of child health research in Western Australia.

The Foundation has been an integral part of the fabric of Telethon Kids. For years, it has helped with funding – from capital projects to supporting students with awards that supplement their PhD scholarships.

Telethon Kids Institute Director Professor Jonathan Carapetis said the Foundation had been a longstanding and much-valued supporter of the Institute’s work.

“Building and investing in local research is crucial to ensure research translates to impact,” Professor Carapetis said. “Telethon Kids Institute remains deeply grateful for the Foundation’s continued commitment to nurturing home-grown research, and giving both our emerging and more experienced researchers the tools to help make a difference in the lives of kids and families.”

In the latest funding round, the Foundation has awarded a series of People and Platform grants to a number of Telethon Kids Institute researchers, designed to support outstanding health-related research:

• Dr Yael Perry, Co-Head, Youth Mental Health at Telethon Kids Institute, is using digital interventions to improve the mental health of West Australian LGBTQA+ young people, in affiliation with The University of Western Australia (UWA)

• Associate Professor Jenny Downs, Head, Child Disability, is developing a knowledge-to-practice roadmap for improving quality of life in children with disability – in affiliation with UWA

• Associate Professor Ewan Cameron, Director of Malaria Risk Stratification within the Geospatial Health and Development team and Associate Professor with Curtin University’s School of Population Health, is designing equitable and effective, child-focused COVID-19 policies with a virtual WA – in affiliation with Curtin University

• Associate Professor Shannon Simpson, Co-Head, Children's Lung Health at the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre and an Associate Professor with Curtin University’s School of Allied Health, is focusing on arresting and reversing lung disease for the children of WA who were born too soon – in affiliation with Curtin University.

Valuable support from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation over nearly 30 years has enabled Telethon Kids Institute researchers to commence projects that otherwise may not have been possible. To learn more about philanthropy and how it drives impact, contact giving@telethonkids.org.au

Miriam and Lou Landau

Taking Telethon Kids to the community

Nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders

What do mashed potatoes, regional locations and powerful microscopes all have in common? They are the latest additions to our popular Outreach & Education Program – now bigger than ever.

Our program doesn't just make science fun for kids – it gives them a real insight into working in health and medical research. The program aims to inspire kids by giving them the opportunity to meet and talk to a working researcher, based on the principle: 'If you see it, you can do it'.

Telethon Kids Institute Executive Director, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, said the Schools Program was part of the Institute’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of West Australian scientists.

“At Telethon Kids Institute, we’re all about asking ‘why?’ and thinking outside the box to tackle the big issues in child health,” he said.

“Nobody is more curious than a child, and we know that by fostering a love for science and discovery at an early age, we’re encouraging kids to ask ‘why’ and potentially even pursue a career in science as adults, which is a vitally important and rewarding pathway.”

Telethon Kids Institute’s Schools Program offers fun and interactive school excursions which aim to give kids a life-long love of science and medical research.

Delivered in our custom-built classroom at Perth Children’s Hospital and developed by educators and scientists, the program offers hands-on learning for school groups from Years Three to Six.

From extracting DNA from a strawberry to building a model lung – what will your child discover at Telethon Kids?

For more information, head to Schools Program | Discovery Centre | Telethon Kids or scan the QR code.

Northern Entrance, Perth Children’s Hospital 15 Hospital Avenue, Nedlands WA 6009 PO Box 855, West Perth Western Australia 6872 T | 08 6319 1000

E | contact@telethonkids.org.au

W | telethonkids.org.au

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