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)

261 - 280 of 377 works

2012

Journal Article

Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) is present at high concentrations in the lungs of children and varies with age and the pattern of lung inflammation

Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Chang, Anne B., Carroll, Melanie L., Petsky, Helen L., Scrivener, Greta and Upham, John W. (2012). Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) is present at high concentrations in the lungs of children and varies with age and the pattern of lung inflammation. Respirology, 17 (5), 841-846. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02174.x

Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) is present at high concentrations in the lungs of children and varies with age and the pattern of lung inflammation

2012

Journal Article

TLR3 and RIG-I gene variants: Associations with functional effects on receptor expression and responses to measles virus and vaccine in vaccinated infants

Clifford, Holly D., Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Khoo, Siew-Kim, Zhang, Guicheng, Upham, John, Le Souef, Peter N., Richmond, Peter and Hayden, Catherine M. (2012). TLR3 and RIG-I gene variants: Associations with functional effects on receptor expression and responses to measles virus and vaccine in vaccinated infants. Human Immunology, 73 (6), 677-685. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2012.03.004

TLR3 and RIG-I gene variants: Associations with functional effects on receptor expression and responses to measles virus and vaccine in vaccinated infants

2012

Journal Article

Innate IFNs and plasmacytoid dendritic cells constrain Th2 cytokine responses to rhinovirus: A regulatory mechanism with relevance to asthma

Pritchard, Antonia L., Carroll, Melanie L., Burel, Julie G., White, Olivia J., Phipps, Simon and Upham, John W. (2012). Innate IFNs and plasmacytoid dendritic cells constrain Th2 cytokine responses to rhinovirus: A regulatory mechanism with relevance to asthma. Journal of Immunology, 188 (12), 5898-5905. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103507

Innate IFNs and plasmacytoid dendritic cells constrain Th2 cytokine responses to rhinovirus: A regulatory mechanism with relevance to asthma

2012

Conference Publication

Adaptive Immunity to Non-Typeable H. Influenzae in Children with Non-Cf Bronchiectasis

Pizzutto, S. J., Yerkovich, S. T., Upham, J. W. and Chang, A. B. (2012). Adaptive Immunity to Non-Typeable H. Influenzae in Children with Non-Cf Bronchiectasis. MALDEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Adaptive Immunity to Non-Typeable H. Influenzae in Children with Non-Cf Bronchiectasis

2012

Conference Publication

SOLUBLE RECEPTOR FOR ADVANCED GLYCATION END-PRODUCTS IS DECREASED IN HEALTHY SMOKERS AND CURRENT SMOKER COPD SUBJECTS

Ahern, Jessica, Hodge, Greg, Jersmann, Hubertus, Holmes, Mark, Reynolds, Paul N., Upham, John and Hodge, Sandra (2012). SOLUBLE RECEPTOR FOR ADVANCED GLYCATION END-PRODUCTS IS DECREASED IN HEALTHY SMOKERS AND CURRENT SMOKER COPD SUBJECTS. MALDEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

SOLUBLE RECEPTOR FOR ADVANCED GLYCATION END-PRODUCTS IS DECREASED IN HEALTHY SMOKERS AND CURRENT SMOKER COPD SUBJECTS

2012

Journal Article

Toll-like receptor 7 and 8 polymorphisms: associations with functional effects and cellular and antibody responses to measles virus and vaccine

Clifford, Holly D., Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Khoo, Siew-Kim, Zhang, Guicheng, Upham, John, Le Souef, Peter N., Richmond, Peter and Hayden, Catherine M. (2012). Toll-like receptor 7 and 8 polymorphisms: associations with functional effects and cellular and antibody responses to measles virus and vaccine. Immunogenetics, 64 (3), 219-228. doi: 10.1007/s00251-011-0574-0

Toll-like receptor 7 and 8 polymorphisms: associations with functional effects and cellular and antibody responses to measles virus and vaccine

2012

Conference Publication

Inflammatory subtypes of uncontrolled asthma in Australia

Garside, C. G., Simpson, J. L., Yang, I. A., Reynolds, P. N., Hodge, S. J., James, A. L., Upham, J., Gibson, P. G. and Amazes Study Research Group (2012). Inflammatory subtypes of uncontrolled asthma in Australia. Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand and the Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science 2012 Annual Scientific Meetings, Canberra, ACT, 30 March - 4 April 2012. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02142.x

Inflammatory subtypes of uncontrolled asthma in Australia

2012

Conference Publication

Wet cough in children: infective and inflammatory characteristics in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid

Wurzel, D. F., Marchant, J. M., Masters, I. B., Yerkovich, S. T., Upham, J. W. and Chang, A. B. (2012). Wet cough in children: infective and inflammatory characteristics in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid. 17th Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 14-16 December 2012. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02297.x

Wet cough in children: infective and inflammatory characteristics in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid

2012

Conference Publication

Impaired immune response to influenza vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Upham, J. W., Nath, K., Pritchard, A. L., Towers, M., Looke, D., Davies, J. E. and Burel, J. G. (2012). Impaired immune response to influenza vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand and the Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science 2012 Annual Scientific Meetings, Canberra, ACT, 30 March - 4 April 2012. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02142.x

Impaired immune response to influenza vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

2012

Journal Article

Subtropical grass pollen allergens are important for allergic respiratory diseases in subtropical regions

Davies, Janet M., Li, Hongzhuo, Green, Melissa, Towers, Michelle and Upham, John W. (2012). Subtropical grass pollen allergens are important for allergic respiratory diseases in subtropical regions. Clinical and Translational Allergy, 2 (4) 4, 1-10. doi: 10.1186/2045-7022-2-4

Subtropical grass pollen allergens are important for allergic respiratory diseases in subtropical regions

2012

Conference Publication

Innate interferons and plasmacytoid dendritic cells constrain T(h)2 cytokine responses to rhinovirus: A regulatory mechanism with relevance to asthma

Upham, J. W., Carroll, M. L., Phipps, S., Burel, J. G. and Pritchard, A. L. (2012). Innate interferons and plasmacytoid dendritic cells constrain T(h)2 cytokine responses to rhinovirus: A regulatory mechanism with relevance to asthma. Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand and the Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science 2012 Annual Scientific Meetings, Canberra ACT, Australia, 30 March-4 April 2012. Richmond Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02143.x

Innate interferons and plasmacytoid dendritic cells constrain T(h)2 cytokine responses to rhinovirus: A regulatory mechanism with relevance to asthma

2012

Conference Publication

Cochrane systematic review - short courses of antibiotics for children and adults with bronchiectasis

Wurzel, D., Marchant, J. M., Masters, I. Brent, Yerkovich, S., Upham, J. and Chang, A. B. (2012). Cochrane systematic review - short courses of antibiotics for children and adults with bronchiectasis. Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting (TSANZ), Canberra, ACT, Australia, 30 March - 4 April 2012. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02143.x

Cochrane systematic review - short courses of antibiotics for children and adults with bronchiectasis

2012

Conference Publication

Asthma is associated with multiple deficiencies in anti-viral type I interferon signalling pathways

Upham, J. W., Carroll, M. L., Burel, J. G., White, O. J. and Pritchard, A. L. (2012). Asthma is associated with multiple deficiencies in anti-viral type I interferon signalling pathways. Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand and the Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science 2012 Annual Scientific Meetings, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 30 March-4 April 2012. Richmond, VIC, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2012.02142.x

Asthma is associated with multiple deficiencies in anti-viral type I interferon signalling pathways

2012

Journal Article

Evaluation of Immune Responses to Influenza Vaccination in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Burel, Julie G., Nath, Karthik, Pritchard, Antonia L., White, Olivia J., Davies, Janet M., Towers, Michelle, Looke, David and Upham, John W. (2012). Evaluation of Immune Responses to Influenza Vaccination in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination, 4 (6), 1-7. doi: 10.4172/2157-7560.S4-001

Evaluation of Immune Responses to Influenza Vaccination in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

2012

Conference Publication

Innate interferons and plasmacytoid dendritic cells constrain Th2 cytokine responses to rhinoviruses: A regulatory mechanism with relevance to asthma

Upham, John W., Carroll, Melanie L., Burel, Julie G. and Pritchard, Antonia L. (2012). Innate interferons and plasmacytoid dendritic cells constrain Th2 cytokine responses to rhinoviruses: A regulatory mechanism with relevance to asthma. Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Allergy-Asthma-and-Immunology (AAAAI), Orlando Fl, 2-6 March March 2012. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Mosby. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.12.367

Innate interferons and plasmacytoid dendritic cells constrain Th2 cytokine responses to rhinoviruses: A regulatory mechanism with relevance to asthma

2011

Journal Article

Budesonide and formoterol reduce early innate anti-viral immune responses in vitro

Davies, Janet M., Carroll, Melanie L., Li, Hongzhou, Poh, Alisa M., Kirkegard, Darren, Towers, Michelle and Upham, John W. (2011). Budesonide and formoterol reduce early innate anti-viral immune responses in vitro. PLoS One, 6 (11) e27898, e27898.1-e27898.8. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027898

Budesonide and formoterol reduce early innate anti-viral immune responses in vitro

2011

Journal Article

Effectiveness of H1N1/09 monovalent and trivalent influenza vaccines against hospitalization with laboratory-confirmed H1N1/09 influenza in Australia: A test-negative case control study

Cheng, Allen C., Kotsimbos, Tom, Kelly, Heath A., Irving, Louis B., Bowler, Simon D., Brown, Simon G.A., Holmes, Mark, Jenkins, Christine R., Thompson, Philip, Simpson, Graham, Wood-Baker, Richard, Senanayake, Sanjaya N., Brady, Stephen J., Paterson, David L., Wark, Peter A., Upham, John W., Korman, Tony M., Dwyer, Dominic E., Waterer, Grant W. and Kelly, Paul M. (2011). Effectiveness of H1N1/09 monovalent and trivalent influenza vaccines against hospitalization with laboratory-confirmed H1N1/09 influenza in Australia: A test-negative case control study. Vaccine, 29 (43), 7320-7325. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.07.087

Effectiveness of H1N1/09 monovalent and trivalent influenza vaccines against hospitalization with laboratory-confirmed H1N1/09 influenza in Australia: A test-negative case control study

2011

Journal Article

Correspondence: Does RAGE protect smokers from COPD?

Upham, J.W., Smith, D. J. and Yerkovich, S.T. (2011). Correspondence: Does RAGE protect smokers from COPD?. The European Respiratory Journal, 38 (3), 744-744. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00066311

Correspondence: Does RAGE protect smokers from COPD?

2011

Journal Article

Short courses of antibiotics for children and adults with bronchiectasis (Review)

Wurzel, Danielle, Marchant, Julie M., Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Upham, John W., Masters, I. Brent and Chang, Anne B. (2011). Short courses of antibiotics for children and adults with bronchiectasis (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (6) CD008695. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008695.pub2

Short courses of antibiotics for children and adults with bronchiectasis (Review)

2011

Conference Publication

Allergy to subtropical grass pollens compared with temperate grass pollen in patients with allergic rhinitis from a subtropical region

Davies, J., Li, H., Towers, M., Green, M. and Upham, J. (2011). Allergy to subtropical grass pollens compared with temperate grass pollen in patients with allergic rhinitis from a subtropical region. 30th Congress of the European-Academy-of-Allergy-and-Clinical-Immunology (EAACI), Istanbul Turkey, Jun 11-15, 2011. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Allergy to subtropical grass pollens compared with temperate grass pollen in patients with allergic rhinitis from a subtropical region

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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