The Childhood Allergy and Epidemiology Research Group conducts research into the prevalence, natural history, causes and consequences of childhood allergic disease.

Our research includes population-based cohort studies, clinical trials testing allergy prevention and management strategies, and living systematic reviews to seamlessly connect evidence and practice. As part of the leadership of the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) and NHMRC-funded Centre of Research Excellence in Food Allergy (CFAR) we work with a network of leading allergy researchers across Australia to improve the lives of the millions of Australians living with allergic disease.

Associate Professor Koplin is a HERA Researcher for the 360-kids Community Network. The 360-Kids Community Network program aims to equip all children and young people with the foundations for optimal health and development trajectories that deliver the best opportunities in life. In doing so, the aim is also to reduce the need for costly health and welfare interventions. The network harnesses the 360-approach to reimagine the way we support the health and wellbeing of children within our community prior to school entry by focusing on children (e.g., those at high risk of child protection; those with developmental vulnerabilities) and communities (e.g., high disadvantage), by partnering with community groups and key support agencies.

Our current research projects aim to:

  1. Establish a program of living systematic reviews to address the most important questions in allergy research, and significantly reduce the time from generation of evidence to implementation in practice.
  2. Improve the clinical management of food allergy at the point of transition from pediatric to adult care.
  3. Understand the role of infant feeding in preventing childhood allergy.
  4. Identify novel strategies to prevent food allergy.

  • Dr Desalegn Markos Shifti  
  • Dr Elize O’Reilly

We are part of the 360-Kids Community network program.

Nationally, we lead the Evidence and Translation Hub of the National Allergy Centre of Excellence and the Food Allergy Prevention stream of the NHMRC-funded Centre of Research Excellence in Food Allergy.