Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Professor Rachel Thomson
Professor

Rachel Thomson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 3847 8890
Phone: 
+61 7 334 60612

Overview

Background

Professor Rachel Thomson is a Head of the Greenslopes Clinical Unit, Thoracic Physician and clinical researcher working at Greenslopes Private Hospital.

She has an international reputation in the area of Pulmonary Nontuberculous mycobacterial disease. She has published widely in the area and is regularly invited to speak at international and national meetings.https://medical-school.uq.edu.au/research/ntm-research-group

Her current research focuses on immunological and environmental aspects of susceptibility to NTM infection, characteristics of the lung and gut microbiome in NTM, and improving treatment outcomes.

In a clinical capacity, Professor Thomson is able to offer patients expert management of their disease at Pulmedica, Greenslopes Private Hospital, at public clinics at The Prince Charles Hospital and the MetroSouth Clinical TB service of the Princess Alexandra Hospital and via telehealth for patients across Australia. Patients can also access novel treatments through clinical trials in both the private and public sector.

Prof Thomson also has a special interest in respiratory problems of the elite athlete. This includes asthma management, vocal cord dysfunction, and the requirements of national and international doping organisations for asthma medications.

Availability

Professor Rachel Thomson is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Research interests

  • Pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease

  • Genetic relatedness of mycobacterial strains

  • Environmental ecology of mycobacteria

Works

Search Professor Rachel Thomson’s works on UQ eSpace

112 works between 1998 and 2024

21 - 40 of 112 works

2022

Journal Article

Quantifying the effectiveness of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light at inactivating airborne Mycobacterium abscessus

Nguyen, Thi Tham, He, Congrong, Carter, Robyn, Ballard, Emma L., Smith, Kim, Groth, Robert, Jaatinen, Esa, Kidd, Timothy J., Thomson, Rachel, Tay, George, Johnson, Graham R., Bell, Scott C. and Knibbs, Luke D. (2022). Quantifying the effectiveness of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light at inactivating airborne Mycobacterium abscessus. Journal of Hospital Infection, 132, 133-139. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.10.008

Quantifying the effectiveness of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light at inactivating airborne Mycobacterium abscessus

2022

Journal Article

Carriage and transmission of macrolide resistance genes in patients with chronic respiratory conditions and their close contacts

Wang, Yiming, Taylor, Steven L., Choo, Jocelyn M., Papanicolas, Lito E., Keating, Rebecca, Hindmarsh, Kate, Thomson, Rachel M., Morgan, Lucy, Rogers, Geraint B. and Burr, Lucy D. (2022). Carriage and transmission of macrolide resistance genes in patients with chronic respiratory conditions and their close contacts. Chest, 162 (1), 56-65. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.01.045

Carriage and transmission of macrolide resistance genes in patients with chronic respiratory conditions and their close contacts

2022

Conference Publication

Whole genome analysis of mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs) from respiratory and non-respiratory infections within Queensland

Smith, K., Taylor, S., Rogers, G., Coulter, C., Pandey, S., Thomson, R. and Bell, S. (2022). Whole genome analysis of mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs) from respiratory and non-respiratory infections within Queensland. TSANZSRS 2022 The Australia & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ), Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health & Respiratory Science, *, 31 March - 2 April 2022. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons.

Whole genome analysis of mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs) from respiratory and non-respiratory infections within Queensland

2022

Conference Publication

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Australians with cystic fibrosis: a national survey

Duplancic, C., Wainwright, C., Thomson, R., Rogers, G., Clements, A., Floto, R. and Bell, S. (2022). Non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Australians with cystic fibrosis: a national survey. TSANZSRS 2022 The Australia & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ), Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health & Respiratory Science, virtual, 31 March-2 April 2022. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1111/resp.14216

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Australians with cystic fibrosis: a national survey

2022

Journal Article

CD161 expression defines new human γδ T cell subsets

Karunathilaka, Amali, Halstrom, Samuel, Price, Patricia, Holt, Michael, Lutzky, Viviana P., Doolan, Denise L., Kupz, Andreas, Bell, Scott C., Thomson, Rachel M., Miles, John J. and Ratnatunga, Champa N. (2022). CD161 expression defines new human γδ T cell subsets. Immunity and Ageing, 19 (1) 11, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/s12979-022-00269-w

CD161 expression defines new human γδ T cell subsets

2021

Journal Article

Investigation of C reactive Protein and AIM2 Methylation as a marker for PTSD in Australian Vietnam veterans

McD Young, Ross, Lawford, Bruce, Mellor, Rebecca, Morris, Charles P, Voisey, Joanne, on behalf of the PTSD Initiative, McLeay, Sarah, Harvey, Wendy, Romaniuk, Madeline, Crawford, Darrell, Colquhoun, David, McD Young, Ross, Dwyer, Miriam, Gibson, John, O'Sullivan, Robyn, Cooksley, Graham, Strakosch, Christopher, Thomson, Rachel, Voisey, Joanne and Lawford, Bruce (2021). Investigation of C reactive Protein and AIM2 Methylation as a marker for PTSD in Australian Vietnam veterans. Gene, 803 145898, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145898

Investigation of C reactive Protein and AIM2 Methylation as a marker for PTSD in Australian Vietnam veterans

2021

Journal Article

Factors associated with “Frequent Exacerbator” phenotype in children with bronchiectasis: the first report on children from the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry

Kapur, Nitin, Stroil-Salama, Enna, Morgan, Lucy, Yerkovich, Stephanie, Holmes-Liew, Chien-Li, King, Paul, Middleton, Peter, Maguire, Graeme, Smith, Daniel, Thomson, Rachel, McCallum, Gabrielle, Owens, Louisa and Chang, Anne B. (2021). Factors associated with “Frequent Exacerbator” phenotype in children with bronchiectasis: the first report on children from the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry. Respiratory Medicine, 188 106627, 106627. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106627

Factors associated with “Frequent Exacerbator” phenotype in children with bronchiectasis: the first report on children from the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry

2021

Journal Article

Dissemination of Mycobacterium abscessus via global transmission networks

Ruis, Christopher, Bryant, Josephine M., Bell, Scott C., Thomson, Rachel, Davidson, Rebecca M., Hasan, Nabeeh A., van Ingen, Jakko, Strong, Michael, Floto, R. Andres and Parkhill, Julian (2021). Dissemination of Mycobacterium abscessus via global transmission networks. Nature Microbiology, 6 (10), 1279-1288. doi: 10.1038/s41564-021-00963-3

Dissemination of Mycobacterium abscessus via global transmission networks

2021

Journal Article

Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension for refractory Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease: sustainability and durability of culture conversion and safety of long-term exposure

Griffith, David E., Thomson, Rachel, Flume, Patrick A., Aksamit, Timothy R., Field, Stephen K., Addrizzo-Harris, Doreen J., Morimoto, Kozo, Hoefsloot, Wouter, Mange, Kevin C., Yuen, Dayton W., Ciesielska, Monika, Wallace, Richard J., van Ingen, Jakko, Brown-Elliott, Barbara A., Coulter, Chris and Winthrop, Kevin L. (2021). Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension for refractory Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease: sustainability and durability of culture conversion and safety of long-term exposure. Chest, 160 (3), 831-842. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.03.070

Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension for refractory Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease: sustainability and durability of culture conversion and safety of long-term exposure

2021

Journal Article

Gene expression analysis in three posttraumatic stress disorder cohorts implicates inflammation and innate immunity pathways and uncovers shared genetic risk with major depressive disorder

Garrett, Melanie E., Qin, Xue Jun, Mehta, Divya, Dennis, Michelle F., Marx, Christine E., Grant, Gerald A., Stein, Murray B., Kimbrel, Nathan A., Beckham, Jean C., Hauser, Michael A., Ashley-Koch, Allison E., Brancu, Mira, Calhoun, Patrick S., Dedert, Eric, Elbogen, Eric B., Fairbank, John A., Hurley, Robin A., Kilts, Jason D., Kirby, Angela, Martindale, Sara, McDonald, Scott D., Moore, Scott D., Morey, Rajendra A., Naylor, Jennifer C., Rowland, Jared, Shura, Robert, Swinkels, Cindy, Szabo, Steven T., Taber, Katherine H. ... Lawford, Bruce (2021). Gene expression analysis in three posttraumatic stress disorder cohorts implicates inflammation and innate immunity pathways and uncovers shared genetic risk with major depressive disorder. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15 678548. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2021.678548

Gene expression analysis in three posttraumatic stress disorder cohorts implicates inflammation and innate immunity pathways and uncovers shared genetic risk with major depressive disorder

2021

Journal Article

Management of drug toxicity in Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease: an expert panel survey

van Ingen, Jakko, Aliberti, Stefano, Andrejak, Claire, Chalmers, James D., Codecasa, Luigi R., Daley, Charles L., Hasegawa, Naoki, Griffith, David E., Hoefsloot, Wouter, Huitt, Gwen, Jarand, Julie, Jhun, Byung Woo, Loebinger, Michael R., Marras, Theodore K., Morimoto, Kozo, Polverino, Eva, Ringshausen, Felix C., Santin, Miguel, Thomson, Rachel, Wagner, Dirk, Wallace, Richard J., Winthrop, Kevin L. and Yim, Jae-Joon (2021). Management of drug toxicity in Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease: an expert panel survey. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 73 (1), e256-e259. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1361

Management of drug toxicity in Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease: an expert panel survey

2021

Journal Article

Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension for Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease: a 12-month open-label extension clinical trial

Winthrop, Kevin L., Flume, Patrick A., Thomson, Rachel, Mange, Kevin C., Yuen, Dayton W., Ciesielska, Monika, Morimoto, Kozo, Ruoss, Stephen J., Codecasa, Luigi R., Yim, Jae-Joon, Marras, Theodore K., van Ingen, Jakko, Wallace, Richard J., Brown-Elliott, Barbara A., Coulter, Chris and Griffith, David E. (2021). Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension for Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease: a 12-month open-label extension clinical trial. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 18 (7), 1147-1157. doi: 10.1513/annalsats.202008-925oc

Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension for Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease: a 12-month open-label extension clinical trial

2021

Journal Article

Clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations in the drug treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in cystic fibrosis

Burke, Andrew, Smith, Daniel, Coulter, Chris, Bell, Scott C., Thomson, Rachel and Roberts, Jason A. (2021). Clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations in the drug treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in cystic fibrosis. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 60 (9), 1081-1102. doi: 10.1007/s40262-021-01010-4

Clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations in the drug treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in cystic fibrosis

2021

Book Chapter

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD)

Thomson, Rachel (2021). Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD). Encyclopedia of Respiratory Medicine, Second Edition. (pp. 99-114) London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11637-x

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD)

2020

Journal Article

Influence of climate variables on the rising incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections in Queensland, Australia 2001–2016

Thomson, Rachel M., Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Coffey, Cushla, Bell, Scott C., Knibbs, Luke D. and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). Influence of climate variables on the rising incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections in Queensland, Australia 2001–2016. Science of the Total Environment, 740 139796, 139796. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139796

Influence of climate variables on the rising incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections in Queensland, Australia 2001–2016

2020

Conference Publication

The educational needs of people with bronchiectasis in a pulmonary rehabilitation setting

Lee, Annemarie, Smith, Rebecca, Osadnik, Christian, Burr, Lucy, Chang, Anne, Holmes-Liew, Chien-Li, Jayaram, Lata, King, Paul, Middleton, Peter, Morgan, Lucy, Tu Nguyen, , Smith, Daniel, Stroil-Salama, Enna, Thomson, Rachel, Waring, Justin, Waterer, Grant, Wong, Conroy and Mcaleer, Rachel (2020). The educational needs of people with bronchiectasis in a pulmonary rehabilitation setting. ERS International Congress 2020, Online, 7–9 September 2020. Sheffield, United Kingdom: European Respiratory Society. doi: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2020.76

The educational needs of people with bronchiectasis in a pulmonary rehabilitation setting

2020

Journal Article

The epidemiology of extrapulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection in a pediatric population

Aliano, Danielle and Thomson, Rachel (2020). The epidemiology of extrapulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection in a pediatric population. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 39 (8), 671-677. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002658

The epidemiology of extrapulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection in a pediatric population

2020

Conference Publication

Alternative transmission pathways of mycobacterium abscessus group (MABs) respiratory infections

Stockwell, R., Leong, L., Wheeler, N., Bryant, J., Wood, M., Sherrard, L., Thomson, R., Carter, R., Tolson, C., Rogers, G., Wainwright, C., Parkhill, J., Floto, R. and Bell, S. (2020). Alternative transmission pathways of mycobacterium abscessus group (MABs) respiratory infections. TSANZSRS 2020 The Australia & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health & Respiratory Science, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 27–31 March 2020. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell.

Alternative transmission pathways of mycobacterium abscessus group (MABs) respiratory infections

2020

Conference Publication

Utility of bronchoalveolar lavage (bal) galactomannan assay in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillus infection in immunocompetent patients

Kafili, D., Kajbafzadeh, M. and Thomson, R. (2020). Utility of bronchoalveolar lavage (bal) galactomannan assay in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillus infection in immunocompetent patients. TSANZSRS 2020 The Australia & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health & Respiratory Science, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 27-31 March 2020. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia.

Utility of bronchoalveolar lavage (bal) galactomannan assay in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillus infection in immunocompetent patients

2020

Journal Article

Factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Australian Vietnam Veterans: Confirmatory factor analysis of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM–5

Gilmour, John, Romaniuk, Madeline, on behalf of the PTSD Initiative , McLeay, Sarah, Harvey, Wendy, Crawford, Darrell, Colquhoun, David, McD Young, Ross, Dwyer, Miriam, Gibson, John, O’Sullivan, Robyn, Cooksley, Graham, Strakosch, Christopher, Thomson, Rachel, Voisey, Joanne and Lawford, Bruce (2020). Factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Australian Vietnam Veterans: Confirmatory factor analysis of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM–5. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 6 (1), 48-57. doi: 10.3138/jmvfh-2018-0042

Factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Australian Vietnam Veterans: Confirmatory factor analysis of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM–5

Funding

Current funding

  • 2018 - 2025
    Multi-drug resistant non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection research
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Respiratory Research
    Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2025
    A platform clinical trial approach to the management of Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABSC)
    NHMRC MRFF - Lifting Clinical Trials Registries Capacity
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    Eliminating opportunistic pathogens from premise plumbing biofilms in healthcare facilities
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Diagnostic utility of tests of latent tuberculosis in immune compromised contacts exposed to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (2021 Metro South SERTA Novice Researcher Grant administered by MSHHS)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    The emerging problem of non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection: Understanding aetiology, geospatial epidemiology and developing interventions
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Finding the Optimal Regimen for Mycobacterium Abscessus Treatment (FORMAT)
    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation USA
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Long-term macrolide therapy; oropharyngeal dysbiosis and the spread of resistant pathogens (NHMRC Project Grant administered by Flinders University)
    Flinders University
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    The emerging problem of non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection: understanding aetiology, geospatial epidemiology and developing interventions (NHMRC Project led by QIMR Berghofer)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Airborne transmission of microorganisms among persons with cystic fibrosis
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    A Cross Sectional Study to provide a detailed immunological and immunogenetic profile of subjects with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections (NTM)
    UQ Academic Title Holder Research Fund
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Rachel Thomson is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Transmission dynamics of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis amongst immune suppressed patients exposed to an infectious case

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Antje Blumenthal

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The nature of the relationship between patient and environmental isolates of Mycobacterium intracellulare in Queensland.

    Principal Advisor

  • Master Philosophy

    The gut-lung axis in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Mark Morrison, Professor Antje Blumenthal

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Risk and mitigation of cough aerosols for people with cystic fibrosis.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Scott Bell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Pharmacokinetics of anti-mycobacterial drugs in patients with cystic fibrosis

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Scott Bell, Professor Jason Roberts

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Rachel Thomson directly for media enquiries about:

  • Mycobacterial diseases
  • mycobacterial infections
  • Pulmonary Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au