Professor Sandra Hodge

Professor Sandra Hodge
  • Biography/ Background

    Summary: Prof Hodge’s research focusing on the identification of new therapies for chronic lung diseases has resulted in 160 peer-reviewed manuscripts, over 200 conference papers (h index 45; 7925 cites), 26 prestigious awards, CI on 5 clinical trials eg, the AMAZES trial of azithromycin in severe asthma (largest study of its kind in the world), impacting clinical practice, invited R&D Advisor for GSK and AstraZeneca and an unbroken record of funding (~$16 mill). International invitations include 14 collaborations and 15 invited/ plenary speaker. As elected Board Director of the the peak national body for respiratory medicine (TSANZ) roles included 5 position papers, 3 clinical guidelines, Govt submissions including SA and Nat. E-cigarette Inquiries. Recognition of her contribution to the field was the award of the title of Fellow of the TSANZ in 2019, and recipient of the Society gold pin.

    Reach and significance of research program:

    COPD and asthma, affect 1/4 Australians. COPD is incurable and 3rd leading cause of death worldwide; asthma exacerbations are associated with increased hospitalization and mortality risk. Pioneering studies identified pulmonary macrophage dysfunction and its inflammatory consequences in chronic lung diseases, resulting in international recognition and pharmaceutical company partnership. Macrophage-targeted therapies including azithromycin were translated to 3 clinical trials with trial data included in International Asthma Management Guidelines and American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) recommendations for COPD research priorities resulting in decreased burden on healthcare systems from better disease management.

    •Her research delivered special impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; the bronchiectasis rates for children from remote communities are disproportionately and unacceptably high, with an urgent need for early diagnosis and delineating its causes to optimise medical treatment. In collaboration with Anne Chang, John Upham and their teams, we found that that bronchiectasis may progress from PBB, an important cause of chronic cough in these children resulting in more frequent clinical follow up of children diagnosed with PBB, and evidence-based treatment.

    •E-cigarette investigations resulted in invitation to SA Govt Select Committee Inquiry, to TSANZ Federal Government Inquiry submission, to TSANZ position paper writing group, international advisory roles (The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ) with subsequent legislative changes (31/3/2019), extensive media coverage, and a positive effect on public health from a better informed population.

    Research policy and professional leadership

    CI on 5 RCT  eg, AMAZES trial of azithromycin in severe asthma (largest study of its kind in the world), impacting clinical practice; >50 media interviews or  Press releases that include ‘Smoke a Public Health Emergency’  12/12/19, RACP/TSANZ: ‘Calls for national task force to address growing epidemic of fatal accelerated silicosis’, feature in ‘The Limbic’, Spanish ‘Muy Interesante’ and Boehringer booklet ‘Where are they now?’ as a top Australian researcher in her field, raising community awareness of her research.

    POLICY ADVISORY: She has contributed to 5 TSANZ position papers, 3 clinical guidelines, submission to 2018 Federal Govt. E-cigarette Inquiry, Australian National Dust Diseases Task Force in 2019, establishment of a MoU with the NZ Asthma and Respiratory Foundation to advance lung health in NZ and launch of the Australian Severe Asthma Registry in 2019. She contributed to the Lung Health Alliance Submission to Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research and was consulted as witness for 2017 SA Govt. E-cig Inquiry (resultant changes to legislation). She was invited Pharmaceutical R&D Advisor (AstraZeneca 2015), Chair TSANZ Research Sub-committee 2017-2020); Convenor Cell Biol SIG (to 2017) and TSANZ Registries and Clinical Trial Committee member.

     

    SUMMARY: Prof Hodge’s research focusing on the identification of new therapies for chronic lung diseases has resulted in 160 peer-reviewed manuscripts, over 200 conference papers (h index 45; 7925 cites), 26 prestigious awards, CI on 5 clinical trials eg, the AMAZES trial of azithromycin in severe asthma (largest study of its kind in the world), impacting clinical practice, invited R&D Advisor for GSK and AstraZeneca and an unbroken record of funding (~$16 mill). International invitations include 14 collaborations and 15 invited/ plenary speaker. As elected Board Director of the the peak national body for respiratory medicine (TSANZ) roles included 5 position papers, 3 clinical guidelines, Govt submissions including SA and Nat. E-cigarette Inquiries. Recognition of her contribution to the field was the award of the title of Fellow of the TSANZ in 2019, and recipient of the Society gold pin.

    REACH AND SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH PROGRAM:

    COPD and asthma, affect 1/4 Australians. COPD is incurable and 3rd leading cause of death worldwide; asthma exacerbations are associated with increased hospitalization and mortality risk. Pioneering studies identified pulmonary macrophage dysfunction and its inflammatory consequences in chronic lung diseases, resulting in international recognition and pharmaceutical company partnership. Macrophage-targeted therapies including azithromycin were translated to 3 clinical trials with trial data included in International Asthma Management Guidelines and American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) recommendations for COPD research priorities resulting in decreased burden on healthcare systems from better disease management.

    •Her research delivered special impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; the bronchiectasis rates for children from remote communities are disproportionately and unacceptably high, with an urgent need for early diagnosis and delineating its causes to optimise medical treatment. In collaboration with Anne Chang, John Upham and their teams, we found that that bronchiectasis may progress from PBB, an important cause of chronic cough in these children resulting in more frequent clinical follow up of children diagnosed with PBB, and evidence-based treatment.

    •E-cigarette investigations resulted in invitation to SA Govt Select Committee Inquiry, to TSANZ Federal Government Inquiry submission, to TSANZ position paper writing group, international advisory roles (The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ) with subsequent legislative changes (31/3/2019), extensive media coverage, and a positive effect on public health from a better informed population.

    RESEARCH POLICY AND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

    CI on 5 RCT  eg, AMAZES trial of azithromycin in severe asthma (largest study of its kind in the world), impacting clinical practice; career advisory forums for 2ndry students as founding Zonta Club member; work experience for 2ndry and Biomed students; >50 media interviews or  Press releases that include ‘Smoke a Public Health Emergency’  12/12/19, RACP/TSANZ: ‘Calls for national task force to address growing epidemic of fatal accelerated silicosis’, feature in ‘The Limbic’, Spanish ‘Muy Interesante’ and Boehringer booklet ‘Where are they now?’ as a top Australian researcher in my field, raising community awareness of my research.

    POLICY ADVISORY: I have contributed to 5 TSANZ position papers, 3 clinical guidelines, submission to 2018 Federal Govt. E-cigarette Inquiry, Australian National Dust Diseases Task Force in 2019, establishment of a MoU with the NZ Asthma and Respiratory Foundation to advance lung health in NZ and launch of the Australian Severe Asthma Registry in 2019. I contributed to the Lung Health Alliance Submission to Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research and was consulted as witness for 2017 SA Govt. E-cig Inquiry (resultant changes to legislation). I was invited Pharmaceutical R&D Advisor (AstraZeneca 2015). I was Chair TSANZ Research Sub-committee 2017-2020); Convenor Cell Biol SIG (to 2017) and TSANZ Registries and Clinical Trial Committee member.

     

  • Files

  • Media Expertise

    CategoriesMedicine & Medical Research
    Expertisechronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]; emphysema; asthma; cell biology; novel therapies
    NotesMy research has attracted >$9 million funding and translation to 2 clinical trials. International invitations include plenary speaker, session chair, conference organizing committees, policy meetings and journal editorial boards. Prestigious awards include ALF, Allan Hanburys, Boehringer, Hanson Institute. Industry engagement includes Advisor AstraZeneca R&D and GSK COPD Drug Discovery group.

The information in this directory is provided to support the academic, administrative and business activities of the University of Adelaide. To facilitate these activities, entries in the University Phone Directory are not limited to University employees. The use of information provided here for any other purpose, including the sending of unsolicited commercial material via email or any other electronic format, is strictly prohibited. The University reserves the right to recover all costs incurred in the event of breach of this policy.

Entry last updated: Sunday, 10 Mar 2024