WA respiratory Fellowship inspiring a new generation of researchers
Tylah Miles, a recent University of Western Australia PhD graduate has been selected as one of the first recipients of the prestigious Laurent Fellowship for Respiratory Health.
The esteemed Fellowship has been created in memory of a highly respected Perth respiratory researcher and former Director of the Institute for Respiratory Health (IRH) – Emeritus Professor Geoff Laurent.
It aims to advance respiratory research, promote international collaboration and inspire a new generation of early to mid-career and senior researchers to push the boundaries of innovation in the field of respiratory health.
Dr Miles, who is just embarking on her research journey, said the junior Fellowship will give her the chance to immerse herself in a world-renowned research centre at University College London (UCL) where she will be exposed to new ideas and approaches for respiratory research.
Her research will focus on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and ultimately fatal lung disease characterised by scarring of lung tissue. She plans to investigate the differences between scar tissue-producing cells from areas of normal and diseased tissue.
Dr Miles said, “I’m very grateful and excited to be part of Professor Laurent’s legacy. The Fellowship will enable me to learn a range of new techniques and help to further my research to hopefully help those with IPF.”
Dr Miles will collaborate with Professor Rachel Chambers, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences and Director of the Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair at UCL.
“It’s not every day you get opportunities like this, the Fellowship is giving me the chance to pursue my passion in respiratory research and to make a positive impact.
I can’t wait to work with some of the brightest minds in the respiratory field and be mentored by Professor Chambers.
“I’m also looking forward to travelling to the UK and networking with other professionals in the area, which will all help me grow as a researcher.”
Emeritus Professor Geoff Stewart, current director of the Institute for Respiratory Health and a close colleague and friend of the late Professor Laurent, said, “The Laurent Fellowship is a fitting way to honour Geoff’s memory.
“He was a big supporter of cross-collaboration between researchers and universities – knowing that diversity of ideas can lead to innovative solutions and breakthroughs.
“He’d be smiling knowing his legacy is helping early-career researchers like Tylah to push the boundaries of respiratory research to help find cures for lung conditions – an area that is severely underfunded.”
The Laurent Fellowships for Respiratory Health are awarded annually, for more information click here.
The Fellowships are a collaboration between the Institute for Respiratory Health, The University of Western Australia and the University College London. Funding for the Fellowships is made possible by a fundraising group of dedicated friends and longstanding scientific colleagues of Geoff Laurent’s who wish to ensure that his legacy will not be forgotten.
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