One of Western Australia’s most promising early career researchers has been awarded a prestigious John Monash Scholarship for his transformative research into preterm birth prevention and optimising outcomes for those born too soon.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Registrar Fellow at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH), Dr Sean Carter, was one of 18 scholarship recipients announced by the General Sir John Monash Foundation, Australia’s most recognised postgraduate overseas study program.
For several years Dr Carter has worked closely with the Women & Infants Research Foundation (WIRF) investigating the prevention and management of preterm birth using new technologies.
His research focuses on the continued development of WIRF’s Artificial Placenta for babies born at the border of viability as well as the use of antenatal corticosteroids for fetal lung maturation.
Dr Carter said he intended to undertake his PhD through the National University of Singapore (NUS) to further investigate the use of antenatal corticosteroids in the management of preterm birth.
“My PhD research will blend clinical studies (new corticosteroid drug formulations), large animal (sheep) and laboratory studies involving artificial intelligence and advanced molecular techniques to study preterm lung maturation and the effects of antenatal corticosteroids,” he said.
After completing his PhD, Dr Carter said he hoped to return to WA to be an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Senior Registrar at KEMH, with longer term plans to be a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist.
“I want to care for the highest risk pregnancies, and in doing so, directly contribute to the health and wellbeing of women and babies born in Australia,” he said.
“Certainly my time and working with WIRF’s Professor Matt Kemp (NUS Supervisor), and Professor John Newnham AM (UWA Supervisor), has been of immeasurable value to me and driving my research endeavour.”
WIRF Chief Scientific Director, Professor John Newnham AM said Dr Carter was a pioneer of the new era of perinatology.
“Sean is ensuring that Western Australia remains a global leader in research into perinatology and finding new solutions to the problems that emerge during the perinatal period.
“His research spans new technologies but he embeds his research in an environment to support clinical translation.
“We wait with great anticipation of the results from Sean’s research and the bilateral research opportunities he is able to promote through Singapore and Western Australia.”
Chairman of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, Jillian Segal AM said: “We are thrilled to welcome another wonderful cohort of diverse and talented scholars responding to current issues of climate change and health in particular, as well of course valued specialties in law, education, business and the arts.”
“As a truly national scholarship the support of these John Monash Scholars has been made possible by governments, business, universities and individual philanthropists. We are sure that these scholars will fulfil the great expectations we all have of them.”
