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Airway Epithelial Research

The Airway Epithelial Research Team is investigating the role of the epithelium in the development of airway diseases including asthma, cystic fibrosis and lung transplant rejection.

Understanding the importance of the regulatory mechanisms involved in each of these disease processes is essential if effective prevention and therapeutic strategies are to be developed.

In addition, they are also investigating the stem cells found in the lung and are examining their role in airway healing as well as other functions to try and identify areas for therapeutic targeting. This research has the potential to translate from the laboratory bench into clinical practice in the form of cellular therapy (alone or in combination with other therapies) and is a novel practical approach to treat airway disease.

The group has successfully established and optimized a primary cell in vitro model for each of these disease settings using airway cells recovered by a safe and routinely performed method. To our knowledge, we are only one of only a handful of laboratories to be performing this in children with asthma or cystic fibrosis, and the only lab that can compare samples with age and sex matched healthy controls.

Using our unique research program the team is not only able to study mechanisms underlying particular airway diseases but has developed functional outcome tests which enable them to conduct preclinical trials of potential new drugs as well as through the repurposing of currently available medications.

Team Highlights

  • Anthony Kicic- Research Star of 2018; National Scientific Leader in Pulmonology
  • Luke Garratt - FutureHealth WA Merit award
  • Luke Garratt- NHMRC Early career fellowship
  • Thomas Iosifidis – won TSANZ Young Investigator award
  • Kevin Looi – awarded travel award to attend iPSC workshop in Toronto Canada
  • Kevin Looi- TSANZ Astra Zenica- thoracic fellowship, Janet Elder TSANZ award
  • Thomas Iosifidis- TSANZ Janet Elder TSANZ award
  • Samuel Montgomery and Kelly Martinovich – awarded CFWA Top Up scholarship
  • Nicole Shaw- award PCH Foundation Top Up Award
  • Samuel Montgomery & Kak-Ming Ling- awarded UWA Research Travel Award

WAERP

Western Australian Epithelial Research Program

Team leader

Associate Professor Anthony Kicic
Associate Professor Anthony Kicic

BSc (Hons) PhD

Head, Airway Epithelial Research; WA Cystic Fibrosis Research Collaborative Program Fellowship; Stan Perron Charitable Foundation Research Fellow

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Team members (17)

Thomas Iosifidis
Thomas Iosifidis

BSc BMedSci(Hons) PhD

Research Officer

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Pamela Laird
Pamela Laird

BSc (physiotherapy) dist. PhD

Senior clinician research fellow

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Luke Garratt

Luke Garratt

NHMRC Research Fellow

Kevin Looi

Kevin Looi

Research Officer

Jessica Hillas

Jessica Hillas

Research Assistant

Daniel Laucirica

Daniel Laucirica

Research Assistant; PhD Candidate

Kelly Martinovich

Kelly Martinovich

Research Assistant; PhD Candidate

Samantha McLean

Samantha McLean

Research Assistant

Kak Ming Ling

Kak Ming Ling

Research Assistant; PhD Candidate

Samuel Montgomery

Samuel Montgomery

Research Assistant; PhD Candidate

Matthew Poh

Matthew Poh

Research Assistant; PhD Candidate

Craig Schofield

Craig Schofield

Research Assistant

Nicole Shaw

Nicole Shaw

PhD Candidate

Erika Sutanto

Erika Sutanto

Senior Research Officer

Scott Winslow

Scott Winslow

Research Scientist

Renee Ng

Renee Ng

PhD Candidate

Andrew Vaitekenas

Andrew Vaitekenas

Honours Student

Airway Epithelial Research projects

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Featured projects

Vulnerable from the first breath - epithelial dysfunction and respiratory outcomes in children

We have been studying the importance of the epithelial cells lining the airways in the nose and lungs.

Learn more about Vulnerable from the first breath - epithelial dysfunction and respiratory outcomes in children

September 2020

Developing a novel therapeutic pipeline for antibiotic resistant bacterial lung infection in children: investigating and assessing the potential phage therapy

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health crisis, which has accelerated due to the overuse of antibiotics.

Learn more about Developing a novel therapeutic pipeline for antibiotic resistant bacterial lung infection in children: investigating and assessing the potential phage therapy

September 2020

Other projects

Compound Repurposing Into Novel Therapeutics In COVID-19 At risk Lungs (CRITICAL Study) COCOON: Virus transmission, immunity, and family wellbeing during COVID-19 WA Epithelial Research Program for Childhood Respiratory Diseases Epithelial Drivers of Neutrophil Plasticity in Early Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease Defective cell migration as a mechanism of dysregulated asthmatic airway repair Cultures of HRV-C for investigations of pathogenesis in children
All Airway Epithelial Research projects

Reports and Findings

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Exploring the utility of indirect calorimetry to optimise nutrition in paediatric intensive care (ICONIC-1): a prospective observational cohort study protocol

The imprecision of predictive equations has led to recommendations for the use of indirect calorimetry to determine measured energy expenditure in the paediatric intensive care unit. However, the feasibility of newer devices, such as the QNRG+ and the impact of IC-guided nutrition delivery on patient outcomes remains unclear.

Published research Academic Biostatistics Early Childhood Development Airway Epithelial Research Child and adolescent health Neonatal Health Translational Allied Health
Learn more about Exploring the utility of indirect calorimetry to optimise nutrition in paediatric intensive care (ICONIC-1): a prospective observational cohort study protocol

September 2026

Healthcare professionals’ experiences involving Aboriginal families in the paediatric ESCALATION system

The Western Australian paediatric ESCALATION system, integrating family involvement, promotes early recognition and response to a hospitalised child's deteriorating health. This study aimed to understand healthcare professionals' experiences of Aboriginal parent/carer involvement in detecting clinical deterioration in the hospital.

Published research Aboriginal Health Airway Epithelial Research Subsite: Walyan Child and adolescent health
Learn more about Healthcare professionals’ experiences involving Aboriginal families in the paediatric ESCALATION system

August 2026

Stochastic models indicate rapid smallpox spread and mass mortality of Indigenous Australians after colonial exposure

The impact of smallpox (variola) on Aboriginal communities in Australia beginning in 1789 was catastrophic and continues to cause intergenerational trauma. Historically biased perspectives and contemporary misinformation of the disease's introduction and spread impede modern-day truth-telling and efforts towards reconciliation and national healing.

Published research Aboriginal Health Infectious Diseases Airway Epithelial Research Subsite: Walyan
Learn more about Stochastic models indicate rapid smallpox spread and mass mortality of Indigenous Australians after colonial exposure

July 2026

Animal-free peptones support bacteriophage propagation for therapeutic use without altering bactericidal activity or genomic integrity

Bacteriophage (phage) propagation has traditionally relied on bacterial culture media containing animal-derived ingredients; however, safety concerns with animal-derived materials for production of phages for therapeutic use limit their acceptability. We compared animal-free and traditional media formulations, and evaluated effects on phage yield, bactericidal activity, and genomic characteristics, hypothesizing no significant differences would be observed.

Published research Infectious Diseases Airway Epithelial Research Subsite: Walyan
Learn more about Animal-free peptones support bacteriophage propagation for therapeutic use without altering bactericidal activity or genomic integrity

July 2026