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
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
2020
Journal Article
How does parent/self-reporting of common respiratory conditions compare with medical records among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) children and young adults?
Blake, Tamara L., Chang, Anne B., Chatfield, Mark D., Marchant, Julie M., Petsky, Helen L. and McElrea, Margaret S. (2020). How does parent/self-reporting of common respiratory conditions compare with medical records among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) children and young adults?. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 56 (1), 55-60. doi: 10.1111/jpc.14490
2019
Journal Article
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide values in Indigenous Australians 3 to 16 years of age
Blake, Tamara L., Chang, Anne B., Chatfield, Mark D., Marchant, Julie M., Petsky, Helen L. and McElrea, Margaret S. (2019). Fractional exhaled nitric oxide values in Indigenous Australians 3 to 16 years of age. Chest, 156 (2), 239-246. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2019.02.401
2019
Journal Article
Global Lung Function Initiative‐2012 ‘other/mixed’ spirometry reference equation provides the best overall fit for Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young adults
Blake, Tamara L., Chang, Anne B., Chatfield, Mark D., Marchant, Julie M. and McElrea, Margaret S. (2019). Global Lung Function Initiative‐2012 ‘other/mixed’ spirometry reference equation provides the best overall fit for Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young adults. Respirology, 25 (3) resp.13649, 281-288. doi: 10.1111/resp.13649
2018
Conference Publication
Self-reported and medical chart histories of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) children and young adults
Blake, Tamara, Chatfield, Mark, Chang, Anne, Petsky, Helen and Mcelrea, Margaret (2018). Self-reported and medical chart histories of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) children and young adults. 28th International Congress of the European-Respiratory-Society (ERS), Paris France, 15-19 September 2018. Lausanne, Switzerland: European Respiratory Society. doi: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2018.PA4682
2018
Conference Publication
Spirometry reference values for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) children and young adults
Blake, Tamara, Chatfield, Mark, Chang, Anne, Petsky, Helen and Mcelrea, Margaret (2018). Spirometry reference values for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) children and young adults. 28th International Congress of the European-Respiratory-Society (ERS), Paris France, 15-19 September 2018. Lausanne, Switzerland: European Respiratory Society. doi: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2018.OA3777
2017
Journal Article
Does ethnicity influence fractional exhaled nitric oxide in healthy individuals?: a systematic review
Blake, Tamara L., Chang, Anne B., Chatfield, Mark D., Petsky, Helen L., Rodwell, Leanne T., Brown, Michael G., Hill, Deb C. and McElrea, Margaret S. (2017). Does ethnicity influence fractional exhaled nitric oxide in healthy individuals?: a systematic review. Chest, 152 (1), 40-50. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2017.02.007
2016
Journal Article
Spirometry reference values in Indigenous Australians: a systematic review
Blake, Tamara L., Chang, Anne B., Petsky, Helen L., Rodwell, Leanne T., Brown, Michael G., Hill, Debra C., Thompson, Bruce and McElrea, Margaret S. (2016). Spirometry reference values in Indigenous Australians: a systematic review. Medical Journal of Australia, 205 (1), 35-40. doi: 10.5694/mja16.00226
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
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving detection of pulmonary graft-vs-host disease (pGVHD) post haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Sly
Media
Enquiries
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