University of Western Australia
A chance to hear from some of Western Australia’s leading researchers and clinicians attracted more than 230 delegates to the 2021 Stars Symposium held recently at the University Club at UWA.
Hosted by the Women & Infants Research Foundation (WIRF), the symposium outlined new and innovative home-grown research programs that are positively impacting key areas of the health of infants, women and their pregnancies.
Keynote speaker UWA Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Jan Dickinson headlined with a presentation on non-invasive prenatal testing for Rhesus disease – a condition where antibodies in a pregnant woman’s blood destroy her baby’s blood cells.
Professor Dickinson’s presentation was accompanied by a talk from King Edward Memorial Hospital’s Dr Mary Sharp, who explored the declining rates of cerebral palsy and the key role being played by recent changes in neonatal care.
The projected timeframe for the elimination of cervical cancer in Australia was the next subject of discussion lead by UWA Professor of Gynaecologic Oncology Yee Leung.
The following evening, some of the state’s top emerging medical researchers were on show as part of WIRF’s Rising Stars Dinner held at Fraser’s.
UWA’s Dr Lisa Stinson, Dr Laura Wijs and Erin Fee led the line-up of rising stars which also included Dr Tobias Strunk, Dr Roberto Orefice and Dr Zoe Bradfield.
WIRF thanks all the Stars and Rising Stars speakers and the event major sponsors – Besins Healthcare, Hologic, Pharmacy 777 and Medela.
Caption for group photo: (from left to right): Dr Scott White, Dr Laura Wijs, Dr Zoe Bradfield, Dr Lisa Stinson, Dr Roberto Orefice, Dr Tobias Strunk, Erin Fee and Professor John Newnham.