Natalie Chia-Lun Chang

Respiratory Allergy Stream PhD Scholar

• PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne
• Project: Improving the uptake and use of allergen immunotherapy for respiratory allergies​
• Primary Supervisor: Professor Adrian Lowe, Respiratory Allergy Stream Advisory Group member
• Research Assistant, Taiwan Young Pharmacists Group, Taiwan Society of Health

Why is this research important to you personally, and those impacted by respiratory allergy?

Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment for respiratory allergies that remains effective even if the treatment has been discontinued. Despite AIT being a promising treatment for respiratory allergies, it remains under-utilised. Moreover, AIT can be costly to patients, and is not currently reimbursed by the PBS, which may hinder patients’ healthcare access. My research aims to increase the uptake of AIT to help reduce the burden of asthma and allergic rhinitis.

What inspired you to pursue a career in allergy research?

I have been substantially impacted by eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis since childhood, giving me insights into the burden caused by these conditions. Additionally, my master’s research projects were in the allergy field. The aim of my allergy research is to help reduce the burden of allergic diseases on a population-wide level.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter: @Natalie31583583

PUBLICATIONS:

Childhood Body Mass Index trajectories and asthma and allergies: a systematic review. Clinical and experimental allergy. In press

Is antenatal or early-life vitamin D associated with eczema or food allergy in childhood? A systematic review. Clinical and experimental allergy. Jan 2023

Facilitators and barriers to participation in health mothers’ groups in improving maternal and child health and nutrition in Nepal: A mixed-methods study. BMC Public Health. Sept 2022

Associations between Body Mass Index Trajectories in the first two years of life and Allergic Rhinitis, Eczema and Food Allergy outcomes up to early adulthood. Pediatric Allergy Immunology. Mar 2022