Sabrina Idrose

Aiming to investigate the short-term relationships between outdoor pollen exposure, lung health and allergic diseases in different age groups using community-based studies.

The short-term effects of outdoor pollen exposure on allergies and lung health

Sabrina Idrose

Principal supervisor: Professor Shyamali Dharmage
Co-supervisors: Dr. Caroline Lodge, Dr. Don Vicendese, Dr. Jennifer Koplin, Professor Jo Douglass

Millions of people around the world suffer from asthma and allergic diseases. A common risk factor of these conditions is outdoor pollen exposure. Very few studies have investigated the physiological changes that take place during a pollen-induced asthma exacerbation such as lung function and airway inflammation within the community. Little has also been done to assess the effects of outdoor pollen exposure on other allergic diseases such as eczema and food sensitisation/allergies. My PhD aims to investigate the short-term relationships between outdoor pollen exposure, lung health and allergic diseases in different age groups using community-based studies. I also aim to assess potential effect modifiers of the association in order to identify susceptible groups and high-risk periods during pollen seasons.

PhD scholarship title and funding body: NHMRC Centre for Food and Allergy Research (CFAR) PhD Scholarship & Melbourne Children's LifeCourse PhD Top-up Scholarship.