Dr Alice Chen

“Why are lung macrophages dysfunctional in protracted bacterial bronchitis and bronchiectasis?”

Alice undertook her undergraduate degree in microbiology before completing her PhD in immumology under the supervision of Professor John Upham at the Mater Medical Research Institute. Her fellowship focussed on investigatoing the interaction between bacteria and immune cells in the lungs of children with respiratory disease. Many children who develop a persistant cough have lung infrections that are not properly cleared by the body's immune system. These children are then at risk of developing more severe disease such as pneumonia. Alice's research identified a type of immune cell that was not functioning correctly, potentially leading to these persistant infections. It is hoped further work may identify ways to boost the function of these cells leading to better outcomes for these children.

Alice is continuing her research at the Translational Research Institute in Brisbane.