Dr Daniel J Tan

Lifetime asthma in the development of fixed airflow obstruction: strategies for prevention and early detection

Principal Supervisor’s name: Prof. Shyamali Dharmage
Co-supervisors’ names: Dr Jennifer Perret, Dr Caroline Lodge

Lifetime asthma is now recognised as a major determinant of lung function trajectories and future risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma prevalence in Australia is among the highest worldwide and interventions aimed at halting the progression from reversible to irreversible (fixed) airflow obstruction in asthma are needed as a public health priority.

Daniel's doctoral work will utilise data from the population-based Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS) and aims to identify the lifetime patterns and parameters of asthma that lead to fixed airflow obstruction, to evaluate the role of pharmacological and non-pharmacological asthma management in the prevention of fixed airflow obstruction, and to validate novel spirometry-based methods of detecting pre-clinical airways dysfunction.

PhD Scholarship and Funding Body: NHMRC Postgraduate Research Scholarship, RACP-NHMRC Woolcock Scholarship