The research in this theme in The Ritchie Centre seeks to understand the factors controlling normal fetal and newborn development, including how the fetus transitions to life after birth. Our research is focused on conditions and diseases that commonly affect newborns and children, including prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, brain injury, and neonatal lung disease. We also aim to gain insights into how early life events may lead to life-long diseases such as multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, chronic lung diseases, obesity, hypertension and diabetes.

Research Projects

• Development of Organ Systems
• New Therapies and Treatments
• Fetal to Neonatal Transition
• Injury and Altered Development

Research Group

• Dr Kelly Crossley, Senior Research Scientist
• Dr Calum Roberts, Consultant Neonatologist, Senior Research Scientist
• Dr Doug Blank, Victor Yu Research Fellow, Postdoctoral Scientist
• Sara Ebrahimi, Postdoctoral Scientist
• Alison Moxham, Laboratory Manager, Research Support Staff
• Karyn Rodgers, Research Support Staff
• Valerie Zahra, Research Support Staff
• Benjamin Amberg, PhD Student
• Dr Shiraz Badurdeen, PhD Student
• Ebony Cannata, PhD Student
• Indya Davies, PhD Student
• Emily Pryor, PhD Student
• Paige Riddington, PhD Student
• Andrew Stainsby, PhD Student
• Cailin Diedericks, Honours Student
• Olivia Martinez, Honours Student
• Annika Spiers, Undergraduate Student