Overview
Background
Tamara is a trained respiratory scientist and has 7 years' experience in measuring the lung function of children aged 3-18 years. She has recently completed her PhD whereby she validated the use of normal healthy reference values for two lung function tests (spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide) for children who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. She has a particular interest in childhood respiratory illnesses such as cystic fibrosis and asthma, emerging clinical measurement techniques, as well as Australian First Nations respiratory health. Her current research aims to better understand the mechanisms of early CF lung disease and to improve current clinical outcome measures to aid in appropriate CF management.
Availability
- Dr Tamara Blake is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Research interests
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Respiratory Disease
Cystic fibrosis, asthma, bronchiectasis Implementation and validation of new diagnostic tests
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Health and Environment
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Respiratory Child health
Works
Search Professor Tamara Blake’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Reply to Myers and Rosser: A comment about studying the health effects of smoke produced by prescribed fire
Vilcins, Dwan, Lee, Wen R, Blake, Tamara L., Wu, Wenbo, Cormier, Stephania and Sly, Peter D. (2024). Reply to Myers and Rosser: A comment about studying the health effects of smoke produced by prescribed fire. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202408-1614le
2024
Conference Publication
Association of maternal air pollution exposure and infant lung function is modified by genetic propensity to oxidative stress
Vilcins, Dwan, Lee, Wen Ray, Pham, Cindy, Tanner, Sam, Knibbs, Luke D., Burgner, Dave, Blake, Tamara L., Mansell, Toby, Ponsonby, Anne Louise and Sly, Peter (2024). Association of maternal air pollution exposure and infant lung function is modified by genetic propensity to oxidative stress. ISEE 2024: 36th Annual Conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, Santiago, Chile, 25-28 August 2024. Research Triangle Park, NC United States: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. doi: 10.1289/isee.2024.0021
2024
Journal Article
Association of Maternal Air Pollution Exposure and Infant Lung Function Is Modified by Genetic Propensity to Oxidative Stress
Vilcins, Dwan, Lee, Wen Ray, Pham, Cindy, Tanner, Sam, Knibbs, Luke D., Burgner, David, Blake, Tamara L., Mansell, Toby, Ponsonby, Anne-Louise, Sly, Peter D. and Barwon Infant Study Investigator Group (2024). Association of Maternal Air Pollution Exposure and Infant Lung Function Is Modified by Genetic Propensity to Oxidative Stress. Children, 11 (8) 937, 1-12. doi: 10.3390/children11080937
2024
Journal Article
Assessing the impact of wildfire smoke exposure on lung health: A pilot feasibility study using prescribed fires as a model
Vilcins, Dwan, Lee, Wen R., Blake, Tamara L., Wu, Wenbo, Cormier, Stephania and Sly, Peter D. (2024). Assessing the impact of wildfire smoke exposure on lung health: A pilot feasibility study using prescribed fires as a model. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 210 (7), 936-937. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202403-0625RL
2024
Journal Article
Assessment of bronchodilator response in preschoolers: A systematic review
Wong, Matthew D., Condon, Kathleena, Robinson, Paul D., Suresh, Sadasivam, Zahir, Syeda Farah, Sly, Peter D. and Blake, Tamara L. (2024). Assessment of bronchodilator response in preschoolers: A systematic review. Pediatric Pulmonology, 59 (11), 1-16. doi: 10.1002/ppul.27112
2024
Conference Publication
Feasibility of home-based oscillometry monitoring in paediatric cystic fibrosis
Blake, T., Condon, K., Panochini, S., Wainwright, C., Sly, P. and Robinson, P. (2024). Feasibility of home-based oscillometry monitoring in paediatric cystic fibrosis. 47th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 5-8 June 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s1569-1993(24)00433-8
2024
Conference Publication
Variability of intra-breath oscillometry in children with cystic fibrosis
Blake, T., Deery, M., Robinson, P., Wainwright, C. and Sly, P. (2024). Variability of intra-breath oscillometry in children with cystic fibrosis. 47th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 5-8 June 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s1569-1993(24)00432-6
2024
Conference Publication
Mental health and sleep quality in children receiving elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor therapy
Blake, T., Deery, M., Cobham, V., Kimball, H., Panochini, S., Sly, P., Wainwright, C. and Douglas, T. (2024). Mental health and sleep quality in children receiving elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor therapy. 47th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 5-8 June 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s1569-1993(24)00121-8
2024
Journal Article
Which reference equation should we use for interpreting spirometry values for First Nations Australians? A cross‐sectional study
Collaro, Andrew J., Foong, Rachel, Chang, Anne B., Marchant, Julie M., Blake, Tamara L., Cole, Johanna F., Pearson, Glenn, Hii, Rebecca, Brown, Henry, Chatfield, Mark D., Hall, Graham and McElrea, Margaret S. (2024). Which reference equation should we use for interpreting spirometry values for First Nations Australians? A cross‐sectional study. Medical Journal of Australia, 220 (10), 523-529. doi: 10.5694/mja2.52306
2024
Journal Article
Longitudinal tracking of intrabreath respiratory impedance in preschool children
Wong, Matthew D., Blake, Tamara L., Zahir, Syeda F., Suresh, Sadasivam, Hantos, Zoltán, Grimwood, Keith, Lambert, Stephen B., Ware, Robert S. and Sly, Peter D. (2024). Longitudinal tracking of intrabreath respiratory impedance in preschool children. Pediatric Pulmonology, 59 (7), 1885-1893. doi: 10.1002/ppul.26994
2024
Journal Article
Changes in urinary glutathione sulfonamide (GSA) levels between admission and discharge of patients with cystic fibrosis
Blake, Tamara L, Sly, Peter D, Andersen, Isabella, Wainwright, Claire E, Reid, David W, Bell, Scott C, Smith, Briana R, Kettle, Anthony J and Dickerhof, Nina (2024). Changes in urinary glutathione sulfonamide (GSA) levels between admission and discharge of patients with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2024.04.009
2024
Journal Article
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting plasticisers and lung function in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Boissiere-O’Neill, Thomas, Lee, Wen R., Blake, Tamara L., Sly, Peter D. and Vilcins, Dwan (2024). Exposure to endocrine-disrupting plasticisers and lung function in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Research, 243 117751, 117751. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117751
2023
Journal Article
Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on infant lung function, wheeze, and respiratory infections in Australian children
Vilcins, Dwan, Blake, Tamara L., Sly, Peter D., Saffery, Richard, Ponsonby, Anne‐Louise, Burgner, David, Tang, Mimi L. K., Reid, Natasha and Barwon Infant Study Investigator Group (2023). Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on infant lung function, wheeze, and respiratory infections in Australian children. Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, 47 (12), 2278-2287. doi: 10.1111/acer.15205
2023
Journal Article
Developing fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) predicted and upper limit of normal values for a disadvantaged population
Collaro, Andrew J., Chang, Anne B., Marchant, Julie M., Vicendese, Don, Chatfield, Mark D., Cole, Johanna F., Blake, Tamara L. and McElrea, Margaret S. (2023). Developing fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) predicted and upper limit of normal values for a disadvantaged population. Chest, 163 (3), 624-633. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.10.014
2021
Journal Article
Early childhood pneumonia is associated with reduced lung function and asthma in first nations Australian children and young adults
Collaro, Andrew J., Chang, Anne B., Marchant, Julie M., Chatfield, Mark D., Vicendese, Don, Blake, Tamara L., McElrea, Margaret S. and Dharmage, Shyamali C. (2021). Early childhood pneumonia is associated with reduced lung function and asthma in first nations Australian children and young adults. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10 (24) 5727, 5727. doi: 10.3390/jcm10245727
2021
Journal Article
How do Cormic Index profiles contribute to differences in spirometry values between White and First Nations Australian children?
Collaro, Andrew J., Chang, Anne B., Marchant, Julie M., Chatfield, Mark D., Blake, Tamara L. and McElrea, Margaret S. (2021). How do Cormic Index profiles contribute to differences in spirometry values between White and First Nations Australian children?. Pediatric Pulmonology, 56 (12), 3966-3974. doi: 10.1002/ppul.25692
2021
Journal Article
Associations between lung function and future cardiovascular morbidity and overall mortality in a predominantly First Nations population: a cohort study
Collaro, Andrew J., Chang, Anne B., Marchant, Julie M., Chatfield, Mark D., Dent, Annette, Blake, Tamara, Mawn, Patsi, Fong, Kwun and McElrea, Margaret S (2021). Associations between lung function and future cardiovascular morbidity and overall mortality in a predominantly First Nations population: a cohort study. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 13 100188, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100188
2021
Journal Article
Determinants and Follow-up of Lung Function Data from a Predominantly First Nations Cohort of Adults Referred to Specialist Respiratory Outreach Clinics in Regional and Remote Queensland
Collaro, Andrew J., Chang, Anne B., Marchant, Julie M., Chatfield, Mark D., Dent, Annette, Blake, Tamara, Mawn, Patsi, Fong, Kwun and McElrea, Margaret S. (2021). Determinants and Follow-up of Lung Function Data from a Predominantly First Nations Cohort of Adults Referred to Specialist Respiratory Outreach Clinics in Regional and Remote Queensland. Lung, 199 (4), 417-425. doi: 10.1007/s00408-021-00453-7
2021
Journal Article
Impact of prenatal and early life environmental exposures on normal human development
Sly, Peter, Blake, Tamara and Islam, Zahir (2021). Impact of prenatal and early life environmental exposures on normal human development. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews, 40, 10-14. doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2021.05.007
2020
Journal Article
Respiratory health profile of Indigenous Australian children and young adults
Blake, Tamara L., Chang, Anne B., Marchant, Julie M. and McElrea, Margaret S. (2020). Respiratory health profile of Indigenous Australian children and young adults. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 56 (7), 1066-1071. doi: 10.1111/jpc.14817
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Tamara Blake is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Improving the detection of early Cystic Fibrosis lung disease development
Increasing evidence suggests that irreversible, progressive lung disease begins in the very early years of life for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) however; the exact mechanism(s) that drive this damage are still largely unknown. Risk factors for progressive lung disease are detectable in patients as early as three months of age. A significant limitation to early disease detection is the lack of feasible and sensitive measures available for use in very young patients. This project aims to define the role of new novel lung function techniques in monitoring Cystic Fibrosis lung disease in very young children (>3 months of age).
This project will involve participant recruitment and performing of lung function measurements on young children. A valid Blue Card is required. The successful candidate will have knowledge of respiratory system anatomy and physiology, experience in lung function testing, and excellent written and oral communication skills. A basic understanding of statistical methods is desirable. This project would suit a PhD candidate.
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Assessing lung structure with MRI in patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Despite great advances in clinical care and survival rates in cystic fibrosis (CF), patients continue to suffer a decline in lung function that starts in mid-childhood and progresses throughout life. This study will explore the mechanisms of early CF lung disease in an attempt to improve clinical outcome measures that are sensitive to early lung disease and disease progression across the CF life-stage. We are seeking a PhD student to work with our collaborators at CSIRO to aid in the development, optimisation, and validation of automated diagnostic tools for CF lung disease assessment based on CT imaging or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The successful candidate will assist it identifying and labelling key anatomical features and help to link image findings to CF disease characteristics and mechanisms i.e., bronchiectasis, mucus plugging. The candidate will collaborate with imaging scientists working on Artificial Intelligence systems for automated lung imaging analysis.
Our ideal candidate will have knowledge of respiratory system anatomy and physiology, excellent written and oral communications skills, a willingness to work as part of a multi-disciplinary collaborative team and maintain active collaborations with other labs and universities.
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Understanding the impact of air pollution on Cystic Fibrosis lung disease
This project will explore potential indoor and ambient air pollutant factors that are present at the homes of children with Cystic Fibrosis. Emerging research suggests that environmental factors may play a role in the progression of CF lung disease, however these are poorly documented.
We will measure the air quality and environmental chemicals present in the home, and associations between lung function, inflammatory biomarkers and clinical status will be determined. This project would suit an Honours/Masters student. The student will assist with data collection at participants homes, cleaning and analysis of data. A valid Blue Card will be required.
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Development of normative intra-breath oscillometry data
IB-OSC is a new lung function modality that is easier for patients to use, quicker to achieve data in busy clinical settings, and has greater sensitivity to early lung disease progression. Normative data is needed to aid in the interpretation of this technique. This project would suit a PhD candidate and would involve the recruitment of children (3-18 years), collecting basic demographic, medical history and lung function measurements, data cleaning and statistical analysis.
A valid Blue Card is required. The successful candidate ideally will have knowledge of respiratory system anatomy and physiology, experience in lung function testing, and excellent written and oral communication skills. A basic understanding of statistical methods is desirable.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Role of airway obstruction in the development of asthma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Sly
Media
Enquiries
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