The Children's Health and Environment Program (CHEP) is part of the Child Health Research Centre at The University of Queensland. Our program have four research themes, each led by a postdoc. The four themes are Environment Epidemiology, Respiratory Physiology, Laboratory Science and Perinatal and Early Life Exposures.
Founded by Professor Peter Sly, and now led by Professor Paul Robinson, the Children’s Health and Environment Program (CHEP) aims to address the impact of environmental exposures on child health through a holistic approach to environmental health research and policy reform. Our research focuses on understanding early life mechanisms of disease, and on improving risk assessment for environmental exposures - the process of estimating or measuring the magnitude, frequency and duration of environmental exposures in children.
We study how early life factors increase disease risk, using clinical studies, longitudinal birth cohorts, environmental epidemiology, and laboratory-based science. By identifying who is at risk, understanding why and how that risk develops, and detecting health impacts early, we design targeted strategies to improve outcomes for communities across Queensland and beyond.
We conduct bench to bedside research that aims to understand environmental contributions to chronic disease, with an emphasis on chronic childhood lung diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis. With research that spans a continuum from basic science, longitudinal cohort studies, clinical trials, and translation of findings into clinical practice, we work to delay or prevent lung disease, improve its clinical management and halt its progression as children transition to adulthood.
Our research themes
Environmental Epidemiology
The Environmental Epidemiology team investigates how bushfire smoke, air pollution and climate change can impact the health outcomes of children.
Respiratory Physiology
The Respiratory Physiology team investigates chronic lung conditions in children including asthma and cystic fibrosis and explores how to improve the quality of life for children living with these chronic conditions.
Laboratory Science
The Laboratory Science team investigates the mechanistic links between environmental exposures and adverse respiratory outcomes, including cellular and immune responses to air pollution and viral infections.
Perinatal and Early Life Exposures
The Perinatal and Early Life Exposures team investigates the influence of environmental, nutirional, substance exposures and psychosocial factors during pregnancy and early childhood periods to improve the long term health outcomes of children.
Our centres
World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Children's Health and the Environment
Collaborating with the World Health Organisation allows us to investigate, prevent and mitigate the environmental health risks and impacts associated with climate and environmental changes.
The Australian Central Over-Reading Centre
The Australian Central Over-Reading Centre (CORC) specialises in training and supporting operators to become certified to perform multiple breath washout (MBW) and oscillometry testing.
Media coverage
Our research has been covered by media networks, including:
7 News
The Age
ABC Australia
9 News
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Children's Health and Environment Program collaborates closely with internationally recognised and leading academic partners.
- Associate Professor Pham Le An - Honorary Associate Professor, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Annette Bolton - Adjunct Senior Fellow/Senior Lecturer, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Thomas Boissiere-O'Neill - Honorary Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Honorary Professor Stephania Cormier
- Dr Javier Cortes Ramirez - Honorary Research Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Brett Dyer - Honorary Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Emmanuelle Fantino - Honorary Senior Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Mr Nicholas Gailer - Adjunct Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Honorary Professor Zoltan Hantos - Honorary Professor, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Jimmy Hilly - Adjunct Senior Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Zahir Islam - Honorary Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Professor Paul Jagals - Honorary Professor, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Colleen Lau - Affiliate Appointment, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Hong Le - Honorary Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Phuc-Loi Luu - Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Ricardo Soares Magalhaes - Honorary Senior Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Siti Nurshahida Nazli - Honorary Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Ms Kimberley Singh - Adjunct Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
- Honorary Professor William (Bill) Suk - Honorary Professor, Child Health Research Centre
- Dr Amelia Turagabeci - Adjunct Senior Fellow, Child Health Research Centre
Professor Peter Sly
Founder, Children’s Health and Environment Program (CHEP) Research Group
Professor Paul Robinson
Director, Children’s Health and Environment Program (CHEP) Research Group
Miss Ulani Hearn
Research Coordinator, Children’s Health and Environment Program (CHEP) Research Group
Miss Laura Yi
Administration Officer, Children’s Health and Environment Program (CHEP) Research Group