Honorary Professor John Upham
Honorary Professor

John Upham

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Background

John Upham is a clinical scientist and physician with longstanding research interests in the immunological basis of asthma and chronic lung disease, the role of dendritic cells in allergy and virus infections of the lung, and the development of novel approaches to severe asthma treatment.

John is highly influential in his field, with > 195 publications, > 5,400 citations and an H index of 46. Since 2009, he has 112 publications (1st/senior author on 45%) with a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 2.03. Moreover, 21.5% of publications are in the top 10% of most-cited publications worldwide (field-weighted). His publications have been cited in >20 different subject areas, demonstrating translation to fields other than Medicine. His research has international reach with citations in 80 countries (Scopus Dec 2018).

In the last 10 years, he has secured over $24 million in research funding. John has been awarded 8 NHMRC Project grants (4 as CIA in the last 5 years), 2 NHMRC CRE (“Closing the gap in Indigenous Lung Health” and “Severe Asthma”), and 1 NHMRC Development Grant. He currently holds NHMRC grants of $7.5 million, including $2.96 million as CIA. John was regularly an invited (9x), plenary (3x) and Chair (9x) at national and international conferences in the last 5 years. In recognition of his international standing and influence in the field, he was elected Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (2004) and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (2015).

Availability

Honorary Professor John Upham is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Cardiovascular medicine and haematology Clinical sciences Immunology Respiratory diseases

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia

Research interests

  • Immune function and susceptibility to virus infections in asthma and COPD

  • Plasmacytoid dendritic cells

    Type I interferon production Immune regulation

  • Severe asthma: towards evidence-based assessment and management

  • Innate immunity and bacterial infections of the lungs

    Bronchiectasis and chronic suppurative lung disease in children Lung health in Indigenous children

  • Allergy and immune tolerance

Research impacts

John is currently the President (2021-22) of the Thoracic Society of Australia and Zealand and is a key member of the NHMRC funded Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Asthma Treatable Traits. He has played a leadership role in organising and co-chairing three recent national symposia on severe asthma to facilitate research collaboration, build research and clinical capacity, and improve models of care for severe asthma. He has been a member of multiple advisory boards to pharmaceutical companies, both international and national (AstraZeneca, GSK, Novartis, Nycomed, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Mundipharma, Menarini), and has provided advice to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. His research has provided new treatment options for severe asthma, and guided the appropriate length of antibiotic treatment for Indigenous children with pneumonia, protracted bacterial bronchitis and bronchiectasis. John's research will inform best use of influenza vaccination in COPD, and guide the use of conjugate vaccines to improve immunity to Haemophilus in Indigenous children. He contributed to Clinical Practice Guidelines for the use of omalizumab and mepolizumab in Australia and he was part of the working group that prepared a web-based Severe Asthma Toolkit for the Severe Asthma CRE.

Search Professor John Upham’s works on UQ eSpace

377 works between 1983 and 2025
All (377) Journal Article (230) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (142)

201 - 220 of 377 works

2015

Conference Publication

A Single Bout of Exercise Is Associated with a Transient Reduction to Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Physically Inactive Adults with Asthma

Scott, H., Latham, J., Callister, R., Pretto, J., Saltos, N., Upham, J. and Wood, L. (2015). A Single Bout of Exercise Is Associated with a Transient Reduction to Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Physically Inactive Adults with Asthma. The Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health and Respiratory Science (TSANZSRS), Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 27 March - 1 April 2015. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/resp.12495_2

A Single Bout of Exercise Is Associated with a Transient Reduction to Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Physically Inactive Adults with Asthma

2014

Conference Publication

pDC expansion of nTreg limits severe Pneumovirus-induced bronchiolitis and attenuates the onset of virus-provoked asthma

Lynch, J. P., Werder, R. B., Rogers, M. J., Lane, K., Loh, Z., Simpson, J., Diener, K., Hayball, J., Zhang, P., Swiecki, M., Colonna, M., Haque, A., Spann, K., Mazzone, S. B., Hill, G. R., Upham, J. W. and Phipps, S. (2014). pDC expansion of nTreg limits severe Pneumovirus-induced bronchiolitis and attenuates the onset of virus-provoked asthma. Thoracic Society Australia New Zealand Australian New Zealand Society Respiratory Science Annual Scientific Meeting 2015, Queensland Australia, Mar 27-Apr 01, 2015. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

pDC expansion of nTreg limits severe Pneumovirus-induced bronchiolitis and attenuates the onset of virus-provoked asthma

2014

Journal Article

Mediators of neutrophil function in children with protracted bacterial bronchitis

Baines, Katherine J., Upham, John W., Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Chang, Anne B., Marchant, Julie M., Carroll, Melanie, Simpson, Jodie L. and Gibson, Peter G. (2014). Mediators of neutrophil function in children with protracted bacterial bronchitis. Chest, 146 (4), 1013-1020. doi: 10.1378/chest.14-0131

Mediators of neutrophil function in children with protracted bacterial bronchitis

2014

Journal Article

Asthma is associated with multiple alterations in anti-viral innate signalling pathways

Pritchard, Antonia L., White, Olivia J., Burel, Julie G., Carroll, Melanie L., Phipps, Simon and Upham, John W. (2014). Asthma is associated with multiple alterations in anti-viral innate signalling pathways. PLoS One, 9 (9) 0106501, e106501.1-e106501.11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106501

Asthma is associated with multiple alterations in anti-viral innate signalling pathways

2014

Conference Publication

Inter-instrument variability in exhaled nitric oxide measurement and implications on test interpretation

Pretto, Jeffrey, Eckert, Brenton, Simpson, Jodie, Powell, Heather, Upham, John and Gibson, Peter (2014). Inter-instrument variability in exhaled nitric oxide measurement and implications on test interpretation. SHEFFIELD: EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD.

Inter-instrument variability in exhaled nitric oxide measurement and implications on test interpretation

2014

Conference Publication

Blood cytotoxic/ pro -inflammatory mediators in severe asthma

Hodge, Sandra, Hodge, Greg, Simpson, Jodie L., Yang, Ian, Upham, John, James, Alan, Gibson, Peter G. and Reynolds, Paul N. (2014). Blood cytotoxic/ pro -inflammatory mediators in severe asthma. SHEFFIELD: EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD.

Blood cytotoxic/ pro -inflammatory mediators in severe asthma

2014

Conference Publication

SEVERE REFRACTORY ALLERGIC ASTHMA IN AUSTRALIA: THE AUSTRALIAN XOLAIR REGISTRY (AXR)

Sutherland, Michael, Gibson, Peter, Thien, Frank, Peters, Matthew, Upham, John, Reddel, Helen, Marks, Guy, Katelaris, Connie and Gilman, Andrew (2014). SEVERE REFRACTORY ALLERGIC ASTHMA IN AUSTRALIA: THE AUSTRALIAN XOLAIR REGISTRY (AXR). HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

SEVERE REFRACTORY ALLERGIC ASTHMA IN AUSTRALIA: THE AUSTRALIAN XOLAIR REGISTRY (AXR)

2014

Journal Article

Full blood count parameters for the detection of asthma inflammatory phenotypes

Zhang, X. -Y., Simpson, J. L., Powell, H., Yang, I. A., Upham, J. W., Reynolds, P. N., Hodge, S., James, A. L., Jenkins, C., Peters, M. J., Lin, J. -T. and Gibson, P. G. (2014). Full blood count parameters for the detection of asthma inflammatory phenotypes. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 44 (9), 1137-1145. doi: 10.1111/cea.12345

Full blood count parameters for the detection of asthma inflammatory phenotypes

2014

Conference Publication

An immunodiagnostic assay for quantitation of specific IgE to the major pollen allergen component, Pas n 1, of the subtropical Bahia grass

Timbrell, V, Riebelt, L., Simmonds, C., Butler, C., Upham, J., Smith, P., van Nunen, S., Smith, W., McLean-Tooke, A., Solley, G., Kober, A., Langguth, D. and Davies, J. M. (2014). An immunodiagnostic assay for quantitation of specific IgE to the major pollen allergen component, Pas n 1, of the subtropical Bahia grass. European-Academy-of-Allergy-and-Clinical-Immunology Congress, Copenhagen Denmark, Jun 07-11, 2014. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

An immunodiagnostic assay for quantitation of specific IgE to the major pollen allergen component, Pas n 1, of the subtropical Bahia grass

2014

Conference Publication

Late-breaking abstract: Improving cell mediated immunity to non-typeable haemophilus influenzae in children with chronic suppurative lung disease

Upham, John, Pizzutto, Susan, Yerkovich, Stephanie, Thomas, Wayne, Hales, Belinda and Chang, Anne (2014). Late-breaking abstract: Improving cell mediated immunity to non-typeable haemophilus influenzae in children with chronic suppurative lung disease. SHEFFIELD: EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD.

Late-breaking abstract: Improving cell mediated immunity to non-typeable haemophilus influenzae in children with chronic suppurative lung disease

2014

Journal Article

Children with chronic suppurative lung disease have a reduced capacity to synthesize interferon-gamma in vitro in response to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae

Pizzutto, Susan J., Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Upham, John W., Hales, Belinda J., Thomas, Wayne R. and Chang, Anne B. (2014). Children with chronic suppurative lung disease have a reduced capacity to synthesize interferon-gamma in vitro in response to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae. PLoS One, 9 (8) e104236, e104236.1-e104236.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104236

Children with chronic suppurative lung disease have a reduced capacity to synthesize interferon-gamma in vitro in response to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae

2014

Journal Article

Adenovirus species C is associated with chronic suppurative lung diseases in children

Wurzel, D.F., Mackay, I.M., Marchant, J.M., Wang, C.Y.T., Yerkovich, S.T., Upham, J.W., Smith-Vaughan, H.C., Petsky, H.L. and Chang, A.B. (2014). Adenovirus species C is associated with chronic suppurative lung diseases in children. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 59 (1), 34-40. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciu225

Adenovirus species C is associated with chronic suppurative lung diseases in children

2014

Journal Article

Prospective characterization of protracted bacterial bronchitis in children

Wurzel, D.F., Marchant, J.M., Yerkovich, S.T., Upham, J.W., Mackay, I.M., Masters, I.B. and Chang, A.B. (2014). Prospective characterization of protracted bacterial bronchitis in children. Chest, 145 (6), 1271-1278. doi: 10.1378/chest.13-2442

Prospective characterization of protracted bacterial bronchitis in children

2014

Journal Article

Influenza epidemiology, vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness in sentinel Australian hospitals in 2013: the Influenza Complications Alert Network

Cheng, Allen C., Dwyer, Dominic E., Holmes, Mark, Irving, Louis B., Brown, Simon G. A., Waterer, Grant W., Korman, Tony M., Hunter, Cameron, Hewagama, Saliya, Friedman, Nadia D., Wark, Peter A., Simpson, Graham, Upham, John W., Bowler, Simon D., Senenayake, Sanjaya N., Kotsimbos, Tom C. and Kelly, Paul M. (2014). Influenza epidemiology, vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness in sentinel Australian hospitals in 2013: the Influenza Complications Alert Network. Communicable diseases intelligence quarterly report, 38 (2), E143-E149.

Influenza epidemiology, vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness in sentinel Australian hospitals in 2013: the Influenza Complications Alert Network

2014

Conference Publication

Galectin 3 and Galectin 3 Binding Protein in Asthma Inflammatory Subtypes

Simpson, J., Gao, P., Baines, K., Yang, I, Reynolds, P., Hodge, S., James, A., Upham, J., Jenkins, C., Peters, M. and Gibson, P. (2014). Galectin 3 and Galectin 3 Binding Protein in Asthma Inflammatory Subtypes. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Galectin 3 and Galectin 3 Binding Protein in Asthma Inflammatory Subtypes

2014

Conference Publication

SEVERE REFRACTORY ALLERGIC ASTHMA IN AUSTRALIA: THE AUSTRALIAN XOLAIR REGISTRY (AXR)

Guo, M., Gibson, P., Thien, F., Peters, M., Sutherland, M., Upham, J., Reddel, H., Marks, G., Katelaris, C., Gilman, A., Rimmer, J., Yang, , Bowden, J., Robinson, P. and Bowler, S. (2014). SEVERE REFRACTORY ALLERGIC ASTHMA IN AUSTRALIA: THE AUSTRALIAN XOLAIR REGISTRY (AXR). HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

SEVERE REFRACTORY ALLERGIC ASTHMA IN AUSTRALIA: THE AUSTRALIAN XOLAIR REGISTRY (AXR)

2014

Conference Publication

EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE MEASUREMENT: INTER-INSTRUMENT VARIABILITY AND IMPLICATIONS ON TESTS INTERPRETATION

Eckert, B., Simpson, J., Powell, H., Pretto, J., Upham, J. and Gibson, P. (2014). EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE MEASUREMENT: INTER-INSTRUMENT VARIABILITY AND IMPLICATIONS ON TESTS INTERPRETATION. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE MEASUREMENT: INTER-INSTRUMENT VARIABILITY AND IMPLICATIONS ON TESTS INTERPRETATION

2014

Conference Publication

EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE MEASUREMENT: INTER-INSTRUMENT VARIABILITY AND IMPLICATIONS ON TEST INTERPRETATION

Eckert, B., Simpson, J., Powell, H., Pretto, J., Upham, J. and Gibson, P. (2014). EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE MEASUREMENT: INTER-INSTRUMENT VARIABILITY AND IMPLICATIONS ON TEST INTERPRETATION. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL. doi: 10.1111/resp.12262_16

EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE MEASUREMENT: INTER-INSTRUMENT VARIABILITY AND IMPLICATIONS ON TEST INTERPRETATION

2014

Conference Publication

Clinical Factors Associated with Outcome in Patients Admitted to a Respiratory High Dependency Unit with Hypoxaemic Respiratory Failure

Wong, M., Upham, J. and Murphy, M. (2014). Clinical Factors Associated with Outcome in Patients Admitted to a Respiratory High Dependency Unit with Hypoxaemic Respiratory Failure. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Clinical Factors Associated with Outcome in Patients Admitted to a Respiratory High Dependency Unit with Hypoxaemic Respiratory Failure

2014

Conference Publication

Reduced Macrophage Phagocytic Host Response to Nthi in Children with Bronchiectasis

Hodge, S., Hodge, G., Pizzutto, S., Petsky, H., Gibson, P., Chang, A. and Upham, J. (2014). Reduced Macrophage Phagocytic Host Response to Nthi in Children with Bronchiectasis. HOBOKEN: WILEY-LISS.

Reduced Macrophage Phagocytic Host Response to Nthi in Children with Bronchiectasis

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2021
    Reducing acute severe respiratory events in health care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic with OM85
    NHMRC MRFF Coronavirus Research Response
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    The airway epithelium in paediatric respiratory diseases
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant

Availability

Honorary Professor John Upham is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Immune dysregulation in asthma and host defence against respiratory viruses

    Our program of translational research is focussed on the study of immune function and dysfunction in asthma, and host defence against respiratory viruses, especially human rhinoviruses. We are interested in the mechanisms leading to excessive airway inflammation in asthma, and why people with asthma are unusually susceptible to asthma attacks during respiratory viral infections. Our aim is to discover new therapeutic targets in severe asthma.

    Research Projects

    • The function of key immune cells such as antigen presenting cells and NK cells
    • The role of polarizing cytokines such as IL-33, IL-25 and TSLP in altering host defence against viruses.
    • How macrolide antibiotics alter immune function

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Honorary Professor John Upham directly for media enquiries about:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Dendritic cells
  • Immunity
  • Lung infections
  • Lungs - virus infections
  • Virus infections of the lung

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