ORIGINS

ORIGINS is Australia's largest longitudinal cohort study of its kind. Following 10,000 WA children from their time in the womb into early childhood, ORIGINS researchers are working to better understand when and why non-communicable diseases develop, and provide solutions for early intervention to ensure every child and family flourishes throughout their lifetime.

Local Research. Global Impact.

ORIGINS is the largest study of its kind in Australia. Following 10,000 WA children from their time in the womb into early childhood, ORIGINS researchers are working to better understand how the early environment impacts the development of non-communicable diseases.

The unique long-term study is one of the most comprehensive studies of pregnant women and their families in Australia, recruiting families who received pregnancy care at , as well as families from the Joondalup and Wanneroo communities.

ORIGINS researchers are collecting detailed information from our participating families via questionnaires, in-person checks and collection of biological samples, to determine how the early environment influences the risk of a broad range of diseases, including asthma, allergies, mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders.

The total ORIGINS population will consist of more than 20,000 individuals within family units - including mothers, partners, children and siblings.

ORIGINS acknowledges core funding provided by the Telethon Perth Children’s Hospital Research Fund, Joondalup Health Campus, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, the Commonwealth Government of Australia through the Channel 7 Telethon Trust, and the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation.

Team leaders

Dr Jackie Davis

BSc (Hons), PGradDipHlthProm, PhD

Co-Director, ORIGINS

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Professor Desiree Silva

MBBS, FRACP, MPH, PhD

Co-Director, ORIGINS

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Team members (34)

Lisa Gibson

BA (Hons), MPsych, PhD

Project Manager

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Zenobia Talati

BSc(Hons), MPsych/PhD

Senior Research Fellow

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Nina D'Vaz

Biobank Manager, ORIGINS

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Avril Bezant

BSc, Master of Bioinformatics

Research Assistant

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Bailee Renouf

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Research Assistant

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Courtney Kidd

BSc, MSc (Biotechnology: Genetics and Genomics)

Biobank Coordinator

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Jo Cole

BPsych, DipEd

Project Coordinator, STARS for Kids

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Jodie Leslie

Research Assistant

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Lisa Porter

Honorary Team Member

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Poonam Pannu

BSc. (Nutrition), BSc. (Health Promotion), MPH, PhD, Registered Public Health Nutritionist (Nutrition Society of Australia)

Research Officer

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Sarah Whalan

BSc, Master of Dietetics, PhD (Nutrition)

Data Manager

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Jessica Powell

BA, BCom

Communications Specialist

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Jack Kennare

BFA, BSc

Research Assistant, The Flourishing Child

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Ellen Meagher

BSc, MPH

Project Coordinator, The Flourishing Child

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Alexis Harun

BHSc (Psychology)

Paediatric Team Coordinator

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Angeline Ho

BSc (Hons) Biotechnology

Governance and Compliance Coordinator

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Bec Young

BSc (Nursing), GradCert Clinical Nursing, MMHN

Research Assistant, STARS for Kids

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Alex Beesley

BSc (Hons), PhD (Physiology)

Data Analyst

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Chantelle Dine

AdvDip OHS, Cert III Pathology Collection

Research Assistant

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Dray Fernandez

DipN, Cert III Children’s Services, Cert III Residential & Community Services

Research Assistant

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Jack Wong

BHealthSc

Data Officer

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Jamie Tan

MBBS, GradDipNeo, FRACP (Paediatrics)

Honorary Team Member

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Katie Britton

MBBS, FRACP (Paediatrics), Grad Cert ASD Diagnosis

Honorary Team Member

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Sarah De Bruin

BSN

Research Assistant

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Sini Borgen

BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology

Research Assistant, STARS for Kids

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Wesley Billingham

BSc. (Computer Science), BSc. (Data Science), Graduate Certificate (Predictive Analytics)

Biostatistician

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Kristjana Einarsdottir

BSc (Hons), PhD (Epidemiology)

Senior Research Fellow

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Joanna Brisbane

BSc (Hon), Grad Dip (Genet Couns), MPH

Honorary Team Member

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Kasie Jackson

BPsychSc, GradDipPsych

Research Assistant, The Flourishing Child

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Natasha Bear

BSc, Masters (Biostatistics)

Honorary Research Fellow

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Danielle Summers

BEd (Sec), BAPsych (Hons)

Research Assistant

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Alex Scherini

BSc (Nutrition & Food Science)

Data Assistant

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Brad Zhang

PhD (Public Health)

Senior Research Fellow

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Emma Moon

ProfExecAsst (AIM WA), Grievance Officer Training (EEO Specialists), Cert IV Assessment & Workplace Training

Project Assistant

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ORIGINS projects

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Featured projects

ORIGINS community wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic

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October 2021

Kindy Readiness Project

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October 2021

Other projects

Mums Minds Matter Water Quality and the Microbiome Study (TUMS): The effects of chlorinated drinking water on the assembly of the infant gut microbiome The PrEggNut Study – Maternal diet rich in eggs and peanuts to reduce food allergies: a randomised controlled trial The PLAN Project (Pregnancy Lifestyle Activity and Nutrition) The Engage Study: discovering and delighting in your baby - a pilot study The Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation in Expectant Fathers (CARE-Dads) Study

Reports and Findings

Trends and indications for cesarean section in the ORIGINS birth cohort

Cesarean section (CS) rates have increased substantially in Australia, with particularly high use observed in private maternity care and for pre-labor CS. The aim of the present study was to describe the CS rates and the clinical indications for pre-labor CS in the ORIGINS birth cohort.

Published research ORIGINS Maternal health

September 2026

Associations Between Potential Listeria monocytogenes Exposure During Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes at Birth and Infant Delivery Resource Use: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in Australian Women

Pregnant women are at higher risk of contracting listeriosis, which can lead to serious perinatal complications. This study evaluated associations between Listeria monocytogenes exposure, infant perinatal outcomes, and hospital resource use in a cohort of 1604 Australian mother-infant dyads.

Published research Early Childhood Development ORIGINS Maternal diet Maternal health

August 2026

Being Heard, Being Valued, Being Understood—Aboriginal Community Perspectives on Adapting a Healthy Lifestyle Program for Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia: A Qualitative Study

Childhood obesity prevalence is increasing globally, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children over-represented in Australian data. Evidence-based, community healthy lifestyle programs require culturally safe adaptation when implemented in new First Nations contexts, where prioritising access and engagement of First Nations groups is critical.

Published research Early Childhood Development Aboriginal Health ORIGINS Diabetes and Obesity Child and adolescent health

August 2026

The Flourishing Child: Study Protocol for an Acceptability and Feasibility Trial of a Digital Early Childhood Flourishing Intervention

Globally, rates of children with physical and mental health problems are increasing. Health issues in early childhood often persist into adulthood, highlighting the need to ensure children are supported to flourish from the start of life.

Published research ORIGINS Technology & Kids Youth mental health Child and adolescent health

June 2026