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)

221 - 240 of 377 works

2014

Conference Publication

Anti-Viral Innate Immunity Varies Across Different Asthma Inflammatory Phenotypes

Upham, John W., Carroll, Melanie, Gibson, Peter, Yang, Ian A. and Simpson, Jodie (2014). Anti-Viral Innate Immunity Varies Across Different Asthma Inflammatory Phenotypes. Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Allergy-Asthma-and-Immunology (AAAAI), San Diego Ca, Feb 28-Mar 04, 2014. NEW YORK: MOSBY-ELSEVIER. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.12.515

Anti-Viral Innate Immunity Varies Across Different Asthma Inflammatory Phenotypes

2014

Journal Article

Altered sputum granzyme B and granzyme B/proteinase inhibitor-9 in patients with non-eosinophilic asthma

Simpson, Jodie L., Gibson, Peter G., Yang, Ian A., Upham, John, James, Alan, Reynolds, Paul N., Hodge, Sandra and AMAZES Study Research Group (2014). Altered sputum granzyme B and granzyme B/proteinase inhibitor-9 in patients with non-eosinophilic asthma. Respirology, 19 (2), 280-287. doi: 10.1111/resp.12213

Altered sputum granzyme B and granzyme B/proteinase inhibitor-9 in patients with non-eosinophilic asthma

2014

Conference Publication

Utilisation of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with a hospital pharmacist initiated smoking-cessation intervention

Gupta, Deepali, Upham, John, Winckel, Karl, Burrows, Judith and Ross, Judy (2014). Utilisation of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with a hospital pharmacist initiated smoking-cessation intervention. Medicines Management 2014: 40th SHPA Conference, Darwin, Australia, 11-14 September 2014. Barton, ACT, Australia: Kaigi Conferencing and Events.

Utilisation of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with a hospital pharmacist initiated smoking-cessation intervention

2014

Conference Publication

Increased Peripheral Blood Pro-Inflammatory/cytotoxic T and Nkt-Like Cells in Indigenous Children with Bronchiectasis

Hodge, G., Upham, J., Chang, A., Gibson, P., Pizzutto, S., Petsky, H. and Hodge, S. (2014). Increased Peripheral Blood Pro-Inflammatory/cytotoxic T and Nkt-Like Cells in Indigenous Children with Bronchiectasis. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Increased Peripheral Blood Pro-Inflammatory/cytotoxic T and Nkt-Like Cells in Indigenous Children with Bronchiectasis

2014

Journal Article

The plasmacytoid dendritic cell: a cell at the cross-roads in asthma

Lynch, Jason P., Mazzone, Stuart B., Rogers, Matthew J., Arikkatt, Jaisy J., Loh, Zhixuan, Pritchard, Antonia L., Upham, John W. and Phipps, Simon (2014). The plasmacytoid dendritic cell: a cell at the cross-roads in asthma. European Respiratory Journal, 43 (1), 264-275. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00203412

The plasmacytoid dendritic cell: a cell at the cross-roads in asthma

2014

Conference Publication

Utilisation of nicotine replacement therapy with hospital pharmacist initiated smoking cessation intervention

Gupta, D., Upham, J., Winckel, K., Burrows, J. and Ross, J. (2014). Utilisation of nicotine replacement therapy with hospital pharmacist initiated smoking cessation intervention. Metro South Heath: Allied Health Showcase 2014, Annerley, QLD, Australia, 17 October, 2014.

Utilisation of nicotine replacement therapy with hospital pharmacist initiated smoking cessation intervention

2014

Journal Article

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

Timbrell, Victoria L., Riebelt, Lindsay, Simmonds, Claire, Solley, Graham, Smith, William B., McLean-Tooke, Andrew, Van Nunen, Sheryl, Smith, Peter K., Upham, John W., Langguth, Daman and Davies, Janet M. (2014). An immunodiagnostic assay for quantitation of specific EgE to the major pollen allergen component, Pas n 1, of the subtropical Bahia grass. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 165 (4), 219-228. doi: 10.1159/000369341

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

2014

Conference Publication

Anti-IL-33 ameliorates asthma onset and progression in response to virus and allergen co-exposure

Lynch, J., Werder, R. B., Simpson, J., Loh, Z., Zhang, V., Sly, P. D., Mazzone, S., Upham, J. W. and Phipps, S. (2014). Anti-IL-33 ameliorates asthma onset and progression in response to virus and allergen co-exposure. Abstracts of the British Society for Immunology Annual Congress, Brighton, United Kingdom, 1–4 December 2014. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.

Anti-IL-33 ameliorates asthma onset and progression in response to virus and allergen co-exposure

2014

Journal Article

IRF-3, IRF-7, and IPS-1 promote host defense against acute human metapneumovirus infection in neonatal mice

Spann, Kirsten M., Loh, Zhixuan, Lynch, Jason P., Ullah, Ashik, Zhang, Vivian, Baturcam, Engin, Werder, Rhiannon B., Khajornjiraphan, Natthida, Rudd, Penny, Loo, Yeuh-Ming, Suhrbier, Andreas, Gale Jr., Michael, Upham, John W. and Phipps, Simon (2014). IRF-3, IRF-7, and IPS-1 promote host defense against acute human metapneumovirus infection in neonatal mice. American Journal of Pathology, 184 (6), 1795-1806. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.02.026

IRF-3, IRF-7, and IPS-1 promote host defense against acute human metapneumovirus infection in neonatal mice

2014

Conference Publication

Recovery From Acute Asthma Exacerbations in Children: Influence of Viruses, Eczema and Atopy

Teoh, L., Van Asperen, P., Acworth, J., Hurwitz, M., Upham, J., Wang, C., Mackay, I, Sloots, T., Neeman, T. and Chang, A. (2014). Recovery From Acute Asthma Exacerbations in Children: Influence of Viruses, Eczema and Atopy. Annual Scientific Meeting of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science 2014, Adelaide, SA Australia, 4-9 April 2014. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/resp.12263_4

Recovery From Acute Asthma Exacerbations in Children: Influence of Viruses, Eczema and Atopy

2014

Conference Publication

Interleukin-1B Is Related to Clinical Outcomes in Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis

Baines, K., Upham, J., Yerkovich, S., Chang, A., Marchant, J., Carroll, M., Simpson, J. and Gibson, P. (2014). Interleukin-1B Is Related to Clinical Outcomes in Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis. Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand and the Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science 2014 Annual Scientific Meetings, Adelaide, SA Australia, 4‐9 April 2014. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia.

Interleukin-1B Is Related to Clinical Outcomes in Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis

2014

Journal Article

Environmental exposures and innate immunity in the lung

Georas, Steve N. and Upham, John (2014). Environmental exposures and innate immunity in the lung. Journal of Environmental Immunology and Toxicology, 2 (1), 1-3. doi: 10.7178/jeit.25

Environmental exposures and innate immunity in the lung

2014

Conference Publication

Critical role for IL-33 in the onset and progression of experimental asthma induced by concomitant virus infection and allergen exposure

Werder, Rhiannon B., Lynch, Jason P., Simpson, Jennifer, Loh, Ken, Zhang, Vivian, Spann, Kirsten, Sly, Peter D., Mazzone, Stuart, Upham, John W. and Phipps, Simon (2014). Critical role for IL-33 in the onset and progression of experimental asthma induced by concomitant virus infection and allergen exposure. 2nd Annual Meeting of the International-Cytokine-and-Interferon-Society (ICIS), Melbourne, VIC, Australia, October 26 - 29, 2014. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2014.07.203

Critical role for IL-33 in the onset and progression of experimental asthma induced by concomitant virus infection and allergen exposure

2013

Journal Article

Clinical factors associated with the humoral immune response to influenza vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Nath, K.D., Burel, J.G., Shankar, V., Pritchard, A.L., Towers, M., Looke, D., Davies, J.M. and Upham, J.W. (2013). Clinical factors associated with the humoral immune response to influenza vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. International Journal of COPD, 9 (1), 51-56. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S53590

Clinical factors associated with the humoral immune response to influenza vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

2013

Conference Publication

NON-TYPEABLE H. INFLUENZAE-SPECIFIC IMMUNE RESPONSES IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC SUPPURATIVE LUNG DISEASE

Pizzutto, Susan J., Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Hales, Belinda J., Thomas, Wayne R., Upham, John W. and Chang, Anne B. (2013). NON-TYPEABLE H. INFLUENZAE-SPECIFIC IMMUNE RESPONSES IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC SUPPURATIVE LUNG DISEASE. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

NON-TYPEABLE H. INFLUENZAE-SPECIFIC IMMUNE RESPONSES IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC SUPPURATIVE LUNG DISEASE

2013

Conference Publication

DETECTION OF CIRCULATING TUMOUR CELLS IN ADVANCED NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Fanning, Michael, Lehman, Margot, Mai, Tao, Horwood, Keith, Murphy, Michelle, Mccafferey, Elizabeth, Jovanovic, Lidija and Upham, John (2013). DETECTION OF CIRCULATING TUMOUR CELLS IN ADVANCED NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER. PHILADELPHIA: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS.

DETECTION OF CIRCULATING TUMOUR CELLS IN ADVANCED NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

2013

Journal Article

Influenza epidemiology, vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness in sentinel Australian hospitals in 2012: the Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN)

Cheng, Allen C, Brown, Simon, Waterer, Grant, Holmes, Mark, Senenayake, Sanjaya, Friedman, N Deborah, Hewagama, Saliya, Simpson, Graham, Wark, Peter, Upham, John, Korman, Tony, Dwyer, Dominic, Wood-Baker, Richard, Irving, Louis, Bowler, Simon, Kotsimbos, Tom and Kelly, Paul (2013). Influenza epidemiology, vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness in sentinel Australian hospitals in 2012: the Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN). Communicable Diseases Intelligence Quarterly Report, 37 (3), E246-E252.

Influenza epidemiology, vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness in sentinel Australian hospitals in 2012: the Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN)

2013

Conference Publication

Children with chronic suppurative lung disease have a Th2 polarised immune response to H. influenzae

Pizzutto, Susan, Yerkovich, Stephanie, Hales, Belinda, Thomas, Wayne, Upham, John and Chang, Anne (2013). Children with chronic suppurative lung disease have a Th2 polarised immune response to H. influenzae. SHEFFIELD: EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD.

Children with chronic suppurative lung disease have a Th2 polarised immune response to H. influenzae

2013

Journal Article

Influenza epidemiology, vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness in sentinel Australian hospitals in 2012: the Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN)

Cheng, Allen C., Brown, Simon, Waterer, Grant, Holmes, Mark, Senenayake, Sanjaya, Friedman, N Deborah, Hewagama, Saliya, Simpson, Graham, Wark, Peter, Upham, John, Korman, Tony, Dwyer, Dominic, Wood-Baker, Richard, Irving, Louis, Bowler, Simon, Kotsimbos, Tom and Kelly, Paul (2013). Influenza epidemiology, vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness in sentinel Australian hospitals in 2012: the Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN). Communicable Diseases Intelligence Quarterly Report, 37 (3), E246-E252.

Influenza epidemiology, vaccine coverage and vaccine effectiveness in sentinel Australian hospitals in 2012: the Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN)

2013

Journal Article

Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness against Hospitalisation with Confirmed Influenza in the 2010-11 Seasons: A Test-negative Observational Study

Cheng, Allen C., Holmes, Mark, Irving, Louis B., Brown, Simon G. A., Waterer, Grant W., Korman, Tony M., Friedman, N. Deborah, Senanayake, Sanjaya, Dwyer, Dominic E., Brady, Stephen, Simpson, Grahame, Wood-Baker, Richard, Upham, John, Paterson, David, Jenkins, Christine, Wark, Peter, Kelly, Paul M. and Kotsimbos, Tom (2013). Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness against Hospitalisation with Confirmed Influenza in the 2010-11 Seasons: A Test-negative Observational Study. Plos One, 8 (7) e68760, e68760.1-e68760.7. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068760

Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness against Hospitalisation with Confirmed Influenza in the 2010-11 Seasons: A Test-negative Observational Study

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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