Tamara Blake

Tamara is an early career researcher (7 years post-doc) and a trained respiratory scientist with over 10 years’ experience in measuring the lung function of children aged between 3-18 years across a range of disease modalities including asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis (CF). Her PhD validated the use of normal healthy reference values for two lung function tests (spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide) for children who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. She is experienced in performing a wide range of clinically available lung function tests as well as several new emerging techniques including oscillometry and multiple breath washout. These techniques are attractive additions to clinical practice due to improved sensitivity to early lung disease progression. She has a particular interest in childhood respiratory illnesses such as cystic fibrosis and asthma, emerging clinical measurement techniques, as well as Australian First Nations respiratory health. Her current research aims to i) better understand the mechanisms of early lung disease including asthma, CF, preterm and neuromusccular conditions, ii) to improve current clinical outcome measures to aid in appropriate management, and iii) to establish the clinical utility of new techniques for use in both teritary and home-based settings. Respiratory Disease: Cystic fibrosis, asthma, bronchiectasis, Implementation and validation of new diagnostic tests; Health and Environment; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: Respiratory, Child health

[2026] Multiple defects in macrophage antibacterial responses support intracellular survival of Mycobacterium abscessus in cystic fibrosis [2026] Oxidative stress as a pathway linking maternal phthalate and bisphenol exposure to childhood allergy and lung function: mediation and interaction analyses [2026] Phthalates, bisphenols, and childhood allergic phenotypes: findings from two birth cohort studies [2026] As the twig is bent, so the tree grows: the importance of early life influences on lung growth and respiratory health [2025] A culturally responsive Indigenous Health Worker Spirometry training and mentoring programme (IHWS) increases quantity and quality of spirometry performed in primary care [2025] Mental health, behaviour and sleep quality in children 6–11 years before and after e