A/Profs Jennifer Koplin and Rachel Peters receive Stallergenes Greer Foundation accolade

Published

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - 9:00 AM

Associate Professors Jennifer Koplin, Centre for Food Allergy (CFAR) Chief Investigator, and Rachel Peters, CFAR Associate Investigator, have both received a Stallergenes Greer Foundation Science Award for Allergy.

The Foundation, dedicated to fostering innovation and precision medicine in the field of allergy, announced five recipients of the 2023 edition of its prestigious awards at the EAACI Congress 2024 in Valencia, Spain.

𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀
𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘳𝘺

A/Prof Jennifer Koplin, also Group Leader, Childhood Allergy & Epidemiology, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, and National Allergy Centre for Excellence (NACE) Evidence and Translation Pillar Lead, was recognised for her research: “Association between earlier introduction of peanut and prevalence of peanut allergy in infants in Australia”.

A/Prof Koplin’s research uses large-scale population-based studies to advance the understanding of childhood food allergy. These studies contribute to the development of novel prevention interventions and are helping to target emerging prevention and treatment strategies for the individuals who will benefit most from these interventions. Her innovative work with the EarlyNuts study evaluated the uptake and impact of early peanut introduction on peanut allergy, not only showing that population-level changes in infant feeding practices are possible, but also contributing to reshaping clinical and public health guidelines, and inspiring novel clinical trials internationally.

Soriano VX, et al: Association Between Earlier Introduction of Peanut and Prevalence of Peanut Allergy in Infants in Australia. JAMA. 2022 Jul 5;328(1):48-56. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35788795/

A/Prof Rachel Peters, also a Principal Research Fellow, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and NACE Research Epidemiology Lead, was recognised for her research: “Multiple food allergy phenotypes in infancy are associated with lung function deficits and asthma at 6 years of age: a prospective cohort study in Australia”.

A/Prof Peters research aims to reduce the adverse consequences of infant food allergy – affecting up to 10% of children worldwide – on children’s future health. Through a pioneering study on the link between childhood food allergy and respiratory health, she uncovered that infants with food allergy, even if it resolves, present with lung function deficits and a higher risk of asthma by school age. These findings are sparking greater clinical vigilance regarding the monitoring of respiratory health of children with food allergies and will support clinicians worldwide in tailoring patient care.

Peters RL. Soriano VX, Lycett K, et al: Multiple food allergy phenotypes in infancy are associated with lung function deficits and asthma at 6 years of age: a prospective cohort study in Australia. The Lancet child & adolescent health 2023 Sep;7(9):636-647 .https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37506717/ 

The accolade also comes as A/Prof Peters was honoured with the Asthma and Airways Career Development Fellowship from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) and National Asthma Council Australia (NAC). The fellowship will help produce an asthma risk prediction tool for children.

Michele Antonelli, CEO of Stallergenes Greer and Chairman of the Stallergenes Greer Foundation, said: “These researchers exemplify the spirit of innovation and dedication that the Stallergenes Greer Foundation seeks to promote.

"Their work not only advances our understanding of allergies but also brings us closer to creating healthier futures for all. These grants contribute to nurturing the next generation of researchers, in line with the foundation’s core mission of supporting academic endeavours aimed at fostering future leaders in allergy healthcare.”