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)

301 - 320 of 377 works

2009

Journal Article

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells during infancy are inversely associated with childhood respiratory tract infections and wheezing

Upham, John W., Zhang, Guicheng, Rate, Angela, Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Kusel, Merci, Sly, Peter D. and Holt, Patrick G. (2009). Plasmacytoid dendritic cells during infancy are inversely associated with childhood respiratory tract infections and wheezing. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 124 (4), 707-713. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.07.009

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells during infancy are inversely associated with childhood respiratory tract infections and wheezing

2009

Journal Article

Alveolar macrophages and the CC chemokines are increased in children with cystic fibrosis

Brennan, S., Sly, P. D., Gangell, C. L., Sturges, N., Winfield, K., Wikstrom, M., Gard, S. and Upham, J. W. (2009). Alveolar macrophages and the CC chemokines are increased in children with cystic fibrosis. The European Respiratory Journal, 34 (3), 655-661. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00178508

Alveolar macrophages and the CC chemokines are increased in children with cystic fibrosis

2009

Conference Publication

Reduced expression of anti-viral molecules by blood mononuclear cells is associated With asthma, but not with atopy per se

Upham, J. W., Yerkovich, S.T., Poh, A., Sly, P. D., Holt, P. G. and Roponen, M. (2009). Reduced expression of anti-viral molecules by blood mononuclear cells is associated With asthma, but not with atopy per se. 65th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, Washington, DC, U.S.A., 13-17 March 2009. Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A.: Mosby. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.12.849

Reduced expression of anti-viral molecules by blood mononuclear cells is associated With asthma, but not with atopy per se

2009

Conference Publication

Analysis of ventilation heterogeneity (VH) with hyperpolarized helium magnetic resonance imaging (HPHeMRI) following inhaled methacholine (MCH) and mannitol (MNT) challenges in asthmatic subjects

Thompson, B. R., Cowin, G., Friese, M. E. J., Maillet, D., Wang, D., Eckert, J., Upham, J., Harris, G., King, G. and Thien, F. (2009). Analysis of ventilation heterogeneity (VH) with hyperpolarized helium magnetic resonance imaging (HPHeMRI) following inhaled methacholine (MCH) and mannitol (MNT) challenges in asthmatic subjects. Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand and the Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science 2009 Annual Scientific Meetings, Darwin, Australia, 3–8 April 2009. Carlton, Vic., Australia: Blackwell Science. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2009.01500_3.x

Analysis of ventilation heterogeneity (VH) with hyperpolarized helium magnetic resonance imaging (HPHeMRI) following inhaled methacholine (MCH) and mannitol (MNT) challenges in asthmatic subjects

2009

Journal Article

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

Pizzutto, Susan J., Upham, John W., Yerkovich, Stephanie T. and Chang, Anne B. (2009). Inhaled non-steroid anti-inflammatories for children and adults with bronchiectasis (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1) CD007525, CD007525.1-CD007525.7. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007525

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

2009

Journal Article

Regulation of urokinase receptor expression: Interpreting data in the absence of statistics

Upham, John and Yerkovich, Stephanie T. (2009). Regulation of urokinase receptor expression: Interpreting data in the absence of statistics. American Journal of Respiratory And Critical Care Medicine, 180 (6), 583-583. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.180.6.583

Regulation of urokinase receptor expression: Interpreting data in the absence of statistics

2009

Journal Article

Reply to "Thrombomodulin: a novel player in allergic asthma”

Yerkovich, Stephanie T. and Upham, John W. (2009). Reply to "Thrombomodulin: a novel player in allergic asthma”. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 123 (5), 1192-1193. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.01.046

Reply to "Thrombomodulin: a novel player in allergic asthma”

2009

Conference Publication

Analysis of Ventilation Heterogeneity (VH) with Hyperpolarized Helium Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HPHeMRI) Following Inhaled Methacholine (MCH) and Mannitol (MNT) Challenges in Asthmatic Subjects

Thompson, B. R., Cowen, G., Friese, M. E. J., Maillet, D., Wang, D., Eckert, B., Upham, J., Harris, B., King, G. G. and Thien, F. (2009). Analysis of Ventilation Heterogeneity (VH) with Hyperpolarized Helium Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HPHeMRI) Following Inhaled Methacholine (MCH) and Mannitol (MNT) Challenges in Asthmatic Subjects. NEW YORK: AMER THORACIC SOC.

Analysis of Ventilation Heterogeneity (VH) with Hyperpolarized Helium Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HPHeMRI) Following Inhaled Methacholine (MCH) and Mannitol (MNT) Challenges in Asthmatic Subjects

2009

Journal Article

Allergen-enhanced thrombomodulin (blood dendritic cell antigen 3, CD141) expression on dendritic cells is associated with a T(H)2-skewed immune response

Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Roponen, Marjut, Smith, Miranda E., McKenna, Kathy, Bosco, Anthony, Subrata, Lily S., Mamessier, Emilie, Wikstrom, Matthew E., Le Souef, Peter, Sly, Peter D., Holt, Patrick D. and Upham, John. W. (2009). Allergen-enhanced thrombomodulin (blood dendritic cell antigen 3, CD141) expression on dendritic cells is associated with a T(H)2-skewed immune response. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 123 (1), 209-216. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.09.009

Allergen-enhanced thrombomodulin (blood dendritic cell antigen 3, CD141) expression on dendritic cells is associated with a T(H)2-skewed immune response

2009

Journal Article

Airway epithelial cells regulate the functional phenotype of locally differentiating dendritic cells: Implications for the pathogenesis of infectious and allergic airway disease

Rate, A., Upham, J. W., Bosco, A., McKenna, K. L. and Holt, P. G. (2009). Airway epithelial cells regulate the functional phenotype of locally differentiating dendritic cells: Implications for the pathogenesis of infectious and allergic airway disease. Journal of Immunology, 182 (1), 72-83. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.182.1.72

Airway epithelial cells regulate the functional phenotype of locally differentiating dendritic cells: Implications for the pathogenesis of infectious and allergic airway disease

2008

Book Chapter

The Epithelium and Immunoregulation

Rate, A. and Upham, J. (2008). The Epithelium and Immunoregulation. The Pulmonary Epithelium in Health and Disease. (pp. 201-214) edited by Proud, D.. UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. doi: 10.1002/9780470727010.ch11

The Epithelium and Immunoregulation

2008

Book Chapter

Lung cell biology

Upham, John W., Stick, Stephen M. and Moodley, Yuben (2008). Lung cell biology. Pediatric respiratory medicine. (pp. 35-43) edited by Lynn M. Taussig and Louis I. Landau. Philadelphia, USA: Mosby/Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-032304048-8.50008-6

Lung cell biology

2007

Journal Article

TLR4 Polymorphisms Mediate Impaired Responses to Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Lipopolysaccharide1

Tulic, Meri K., Hurrelbrink, Robert j,, Prele, Cecilia M., Laing, Ingrid A,, Upham, John W., Le Souef, Peter, Sly, Peter D. and Holt, Patrick G. (2007). TLR4 Polymorphisms Mediate Impaired Responses to Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Lipopolysaccharide1. Journal of Immunology, 179 (1), 132-140. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.1.132

TLR4 Polymorphisms Mediate Impaired Responses to Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Lipopolysaccharide1

2007

Journal Article

Postnatal development of monocyte cytokine responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide

Yerkovich, S., Wickstrom, M. E., Suriyaarachchi, D., Prescott, S. L., Upham, J. and Holt, P. G. (2007). Postnatal development of monocyte cytokine responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Pediatric Research, 62 (5), 547-552. doi: 10.1203/PDR.0b013e3181568105

Postnatal development of monocyte cytokine responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide

2006

Journal Article

Interactions Between Airway Epithelial Cells and Dendritic Cells: Implications for the Regulation of Airway Inflammation

Upham, J. W. and Stick, S. M. (2006). Interactions Between Airway Epithelial Cells and Dendritic Cells: Implications for the Regulation of Airway Inflammation. Current Drug Targets, 7 (5), 541-545. doi: 10.2174/138945006776818647

Interactions Between Airway Epithelial Cells and Dendritic Cells: Implications for the Regulation of Airway Inflammation

2006

Journal Article

Toll-like receptor 2 ligands inhibit Th2 responses to mite allergen

Taylor, Rebecca C., Richmond, Peter and Upham, John W. (2006). Toll-like receptor 2 ligands inhibit Th2 responses to mite allergen. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 117 (5), 1148-1154. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.02.014

Toll-like receptor 2 ligands inhibit Th2 responses to mite allergen

2006

Journal Article

Dendritic cells in allergic disease - innocent bystanders or prime suspects?

Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Rate, Angela and Upham, John W. (2006). Dendritic cells in allergic disease - innocent bystanders or prime suspects?. Allergy & Clinical Immunology International, 18 (2), 71-75. doi: 10.1027/0838-1925.18.2.71

Dendritic cells in allergic disease - innocent bystanders or prime suspects?

2006

Journal Article

Dendritic cell immaturity during infancy restricts the capacity to express vaccine-specific T-cell memory

Upham, John W., Rate, Angela, Rowe, Julie, Kusel, Merci, Sly, Peter D. and Holt, Patrick G. (2006). Dendritic cell immaturity during infancy restricts the capacity to express vaccine-specific T-cell memory. Infection and Immunity, 74 (2), 1106-1112. doi: 10.1128/IAI.74.2.1106-1112.2006

Dendritic cell immaturity during infancy restricts the capacity to express vaccine-specific T-cell memory

2006

Book Chapter

Dendritic cells

Upham, J. W. and Hughes, T. (2006). Dendritic cells. Encyclopedia of Respiratory Medicine. (pp. 10-15) edited by Geoffrey J. Laurent and Steven D. Shapiro. Oxford: Elsevier Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B0-12-370879-6/00111-3

Dendritic cells

2005

Journal Article

Contemporaneous maturation of immunologic and respiratory functions during early childhood: Implications for development of asthma prevention strategies

Holt, Patrick G., Upham, John W. and Sly, Peter D. (2005). Contemporaneous maturation of immunologic and respiratory functions during early childhood: Implications for development of asthma prevention strategies. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 116 (1), 16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2005.04.017

Contemporaneous maturation of immunologic and respiratory functions during early childhood: Implications for development of asthma prevention strategies

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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