A Perth researcher dedicated to reducing serious chest and ear infections in children has been
recognised with the award of Officer in the Order of Australia (AO).
Associate Professor Deborah Lehmann heads infectious diseases research at Perth's TelethonInstitute for Child Health Research.
The Kids Acting Director, Professor Moira Clay, said Deborah had made an enormous contribution with her determination to understand the causes of disease and ways to prevent them, particularly for Aboriginal children.
"Deborah has a dogged determination to find what works and then to quickly implement those strategies,' Professor Clay said.
"It is her research, evidence and advocacy that has supported the introduction of vaccines to protect against pneumococcal and Hib disease, and showed the health benefits of swimming pools in remote communities.
"These initiatives have resulted in a significant reduction in these life-threatening diseases in children, particularly for those in remote or disadvantaged areas.
"She is also a generous mentor that models the highest scientific rigour and a great collaborator who brings together diverse groups of people for a concerted attack on a particular disease or issue."
Infectious diseases are still the most common reason for young children to be admitted to hospital in Australia.
Dr Lehmann has a medical degree and a Masters degree from the University of London. She spent 17 years in Papua New Guinea (PNG) where she headed the Pneumonia Research Program of the PNG Institute of Medical Research, undertaking studies of the epidemiology of respiratory infections and trials of pneumococcal and Hib vaccines.
In 1998 Deborah moved to The Kids for Child Health Research and has been working on otitis media, pneumococcal infections, the evaluation of swimming pools in remote Aboriginal communities and factors that contribute to lower respiratory tract infections.
She is committed to training the next generation of researchers and led the Institute's Capacity Building Grant that consisted entirely of Indigenous Team Investigators.
Deborah is also the recipient of the Public Health Association of Australia Community Award, the The Kids's Consumer and Community Participation Award and the Fiona Stanley Medal for Research.
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