Professor Jane Pillow

Jane Pillow is an Professor in Neonatology and Co-Director of the UWA Centre for Neonatal Research and Education. Her dedication to neonatology has seen her complete research projects in both Australia and the United Kingdom which support growth and development in premature infants.

After completing her undergraduate medical studies at the University of Queensland (MBBS), she undertook her Bachelor of Medical Science at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne before interning in Townsville. She then moved to Melbourne to complete training in Paediatrics and Neonatology (FRACP 1996).

Upon returning to research during her advanced specialisation, Professor Pillow was recruited to evaluate a novel mode of mechanical ventilation called high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, in which babies are ventilated with up to 900 miniature breaths per minute. In 2000, she completed her PhD before moving to London for National Health and Medical Research Council postdoctoral studies.

Professor Pillow’s current clinical research includes determining if helping premature infants to developing their circadian rhythm earlier will improve their brain development and general well-being.

Normal development of the brain and other body organs early in life is essential to lifelong health and wellbeing. Premature babies are born before these organs have developed properly, and Professor Pillow’s preclinical research evaluates novel new therapies for premature babies after birth to reduce the risk of damage to fragile developing organs such as the lung, intestines and brain.

External positions:

• NHMRC Senior Research Fellow
• Co-Director, UWA Centre for Neonatal Research and Education
• Director, Preclinical Intensive Care Research Unit