
Dr Steven Leach and A/Prof Keith Ooi lead the most established and world-class gut microbiome and inflammation research programs in children in Australia.
Our research covers the broad themes of:
The research programs led by Dr Steven Leach and A/Prof Keith Ooi are focused on the gastroenterological health and nutritional needs of infants, children, and adolescence with specific interests in the impact of the gut microbiome and inflammation on paediatric health outcomes. These include conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, oesophageal atresia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome and coeliac disease. A/Prof Keith Ooi is recognized nationally and internationally for his research programs in cystic fibrosis (involving children and adults) and paediatric pancreatic diseases.
Our research has been funded nationally and internationally, including from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Our goal is to improve the health and nutrition of infants, children, and adolescents through optimising their gut health. We understand the importance of early life events in determining future health outcomes including into adulthood.
We have several research programs in gastrointestinal inflammation & intestinal microbiome that covers:
Our strengths include:
Our research and translational outcomes include: