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)

281 - 300 of 377 works

2011

Journal Article

Remission of asthma: the next therapeutic frontier?

Upham, John W. and James, Alan L. (2011). Remission of asthma: the next therapeutic frontier?. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 130 (1), 38-45. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.01.002

Remission of asthma: the next therapeutic frontier?

2011

Journal Article

The dominant 55kDa allergen of the subtropical Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum) pollen is a group 13 pollen allergen, Pas n 13

Davies, Janet M., Voskamp, Astrid, Dang, Thanh D., Pettit, Benjamin, Loo, Dorothy, Petersen, Arnd, Hill, Michelle M., Upham, John W., Rolland, Jennifer M. and O'Hehir, Robyn E. (2011). The dominant 55kDa allergen of the subtropical Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum) pollen is a group 13 pollen allergen, Pas n 13. Molecular Immunology, 48 (6-7), 931-940. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2010.12.013

The dominant 55kDa allergen of the subtropical Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum) pollen is a group 13 pollen allergen, Pas n 13

2011

Journal Article

Reduced soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products in COPD

Smith, D. J., Yerkovich, S. T., Towers, M. A., Carroll, M. L., Thomas, R. and Upham, J. W. (2011). Reduced soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products in COPD. European Respiratory Journal, 37 (3), 516-522. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00029310

Reduced soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products in COPD

2011

Journal Article

Functional immunoglobulin E cross-reactivity between Pas n 1 of Bahia grass pollen and other group 1 grass pollen allergens

Davies, J.M., Dang, T.D., Voskamp, A., Drew, A.C., Biondo, M., Phung, M., Upham, J.W., Rolland, J.M. and O'Hehir, R.E. (2011). Functional immunoglobulin E cross-reactivity between Pas n 1 of Bahia grass pollen and other group 1 grass pollen allergens. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 41 (2), 281-291. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03670.x

Functional immunoglobulin E cross-reactivity between Pas n 1 of Bahia grass pollen and other group 1 grass pollen allergens

2011

Conference Publication

Impaired immune response to influenza vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Nath, Karthik, Burel, Julie, Pritchard, Antonia L., Towers, Michelle, Looke, David, Davies, Janet E. and Upham, John W. (2011). Impaired immune response to influenza vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 22nd Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Annual Scientific Meeting, Darling Harbour, NSW, Australia, 7-9 September 2011. Richmond, Vic., Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02570.x

Impaired immune response to influenza vaccination in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

2011

Book Chapter

Interactions between allergens and dendritic cells: Pattern recognition receptors and their function in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases

Upham, John W. and Yerkovich, Stephanie T. (2011). Interactions between allergens and dendritic cells: Pattern recognition receptors and their function in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases. Allergens and respiratory pollutants : the role of innate immunity. (pp. 245-275) edited by Marc A. Williams. Oxford, England: Biohealthcare Publishing. doi: 10.1016/B978-1-907568-54-1.50012-2

Interactions between allergens and dendritic cells: Pattern recognition receptors and their function in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases

2011

Conference Publication

Bronchososcopy with lavage contributes to the clinical management of children with non-CF bronchiectasis

Pizzutto, S. J., Grimwood, Keith, Bauert, P., Schultz, K. I., Yerkovich, Stephanie, Upham, John and Chang, Anne B. (2011). Bronchososcopy with lavage contributes to the clinical management of children with non-CF bronchiectasis. Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth, Australia, 2-6 April 2011.

Bronchososcopy with lavage contributes to the clinical management of children with non-CF bronchiectasis

2011

Conference Publication

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

Davies, Janet M., Carroll, Melanie L., Li, Hongzhuo, Poh, Alisa M., Kirkegard, Darren, Towers, Michelle and Upham, John W. (2011). Budesonide and formoterol reduce early innate anti-viral immune responses in vitro. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Annual Scientific Meeting (22nd, ASCIA, 2011), Darling Harbour, NSW, Australia, 7-9 September 2011.

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

2011

Conference Publication

Type I interferons and plasmacytoid dendritic cells selectively constrain T(h)2 cytokine responses to rhinoviruses

Pritchard, Antonia L., Carroll, Melanie L., Burel, Julie and Upham, John W. (2011). Type I interferons and plasmacytoid dendritic cells selectively constrain T(h)2 cytokine responses to rhinoviruses. 22nd Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Annual Scientific Meeting, Darling Harbour, NSW, Australia, 7-9 September 2011. Richmond, Vic., Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02570.x

Type I interferons and plasmacytoid dendritic cells selectively constrain T(h)2 cytokine responses to rhinoviruses

2011

Conference Publication

Effects Of Budesonide & Formoterol On Innate Anti-Viral Immune Responses In Vitro

Upham, J. W., Carroll, M. L., Li, H. and Davies, J. M. (2011). Effects Of Budesonide & Formoterol On Innate Anti-Viral Immune Responses In Vitro. NEW YORK: AMER THORACIC SOC.

Effects Of Budesonide & Formoterol On Innate Anti-Viral Immune Responses In Vitro

2011

Conference Publication

B cell responses to areoalllergens in patient with allergic disease

Burel, Julie, Li, Hongzhuo, Wong, Kelly, Towers, Michelle, Upham, John and Davies, Janet (2011). B cell responses to areoalllergens in patient with allergic disease. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Annual Scientific Meeting (22nd, ASCIA, 2011), Darling Harbour, NSW, Australia, 7-9 September 2011. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02570.x

B cell responses to areoalllergens in patient with allergic disease

2010

Journal Article

Adaptive immunity to rhinoviruses: Sex and age matter

Carroll, Melanie L., Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Pritchard, Antonia L., Davies, Janet M. and Upham, John W. (2010). Adaptive immunity to rhinoviruses: Sex and age matter. Respiratory Research, 11 (1) 184, 184-1-184-7. doi: 10.1186/1465-9921-11-184

Adaptive immunity to rhinoviruses: Sex and age matter

2010

Journal Article

Are rhinoviral proteinases responsible for mixed T(H)1 and T(H)2 immunity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Upham, JW and Pritchard, A (2010). Are rhinoviral proteinases responsible for mixed T(H)1 and T(H)2 immunity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 126 (6), 1318-1318. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.07.009

Are rhinoviral proteinases responsible for mixed T(H)1 and T(H)2 immunity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

2010

Journal Article

Epithelial-dendritic cell interactions in allergic disorders

Strickland, DH, Upham, JW and Holt, PG (2010). Epithelial-dendritic cell interactions in allergic disorders. Current Opinion in Immunology, 22 (6), 789-794. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2010.10.019

Epithelial-dendritic cell interactions in allergic disorders

2010

Journal Article

Monocytes From Children With Clinically Stable Cystic Fibrosis Show Enhanced Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 4

Sturges, Nina C., Wikström, Matthew E., Winfield, Kaye R., Gard, Samantha E., Brennan, Siobhain, Sly, Peter D. and Upham, John W. (2010). Monocytes From Children With Clinically Stable Cystic Fibrosis Show Enhanced Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 4. Pediatric Pulmonology, 45 (9), 883-889. doi: 10.1002/ppul.21230

Monocytes From Children With Clinically Stable Cystic Fibrosis Show Enhanced Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 4

2010

Journal Article

Year-in-review 2009: Asthma, COPD and airway biology

Reddel, Helen K., Upham, John W., Salvi, Sundeep S. and Yang, Ian A. (2010). Year-in-review 2009: Asthma, COPD and airway biology. Respirology, 15 (2), 365-376. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2009.01702.x

Year-in-review 2009: Asthma, COPD and airway biology

2010

Journal Article

Inhaled non-steroid anti-inflammatories for children and adults with bronchiectasis

Pizzutto, Susan J., Upham, John W., Yerkovich, Stephanie T. and Chang, Anne B. (2010). Inhaled non-steroid anti-inflammatories for children and adults with bronchiectasis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4 (4) CD007525, CD007525-1-CD007525-18. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007525.pub2

Inhaled non-steroid anti-inflammatories for children and adults with bronchiectasis

2010

Journal Article

Toll-like receptor 7 function is reduced in adolescents with asthma

Roponen, M., Yerkovich, S. T., Hollams, E., Sly, P. D., Holt, P. G. and Upham, J. W. (2010). Toll-like receptor 7 function is reduced in adolescents with asthma. European Respiratory Journal, 35 (1), 64-71. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00172008

Toll-like receptor 7 function is reduced in adolescents with asthma

2010

Conference Publication

Grass pollen allergy in Queensland: How important are the subtropical grass pollens for triggering allergic rhinitis and asthma?

Davies, Janet, Li, HonZhuo, Green, Melissa, Towers, Michelle and Upham, John (2010). Grass pollen allergy in Queensland: How important are the subtropical grass pollens for triggering allergic rhinitis and asthma?. 21st Meeting of the Australian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Gold Coast , QLD, Australia, 1-3 September 2010. Richmond, Vic., Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2010.02324.x

Grass pollen allergy in Queensland: How important are the subtropical grass pollens for triggering allergic rhinitis and asthma?

2010

Conference Publication

Reduced Baseline IgG1 Antibodies To Rhinoviruses Is Associated With Increased Risk Of Acute Exacerbations Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Yerkovich, S. T., Carroll, M. L., Towers, M. A., Smith, D. J., Hales, B. J., Thomas, W. R. and Upham, J. W. (2010). Reduced Baseline IgG1 Antibodies To Rhinoviruses Is Associated With Increased Risk Of Acute Exacerbations Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. NEW YORK: AMER THORACIC SOC.

Reduced Baseline IgG1 Antibodies To Rhinoviruses Is Associated With Increased Risk Of Acute Exacerbations Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

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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