Media Release
May 22 2007
Small babies: big heart risks?
Investigating why babies born with low birth weight less than 2.5
kilograms have an increased risk of developing heart disease in adult
life has been the focus of research at the University of South
Australia.
There is evidence that the risk of developing cardiovascular disease may
be - at least partly - determined before birth, according to National
Heart Foundation Research Fellow at UniSA’s
Sansom Institute,
Dr Janna Morrison.
In the first of the
Body of Knowledge 2007 series of public lectures examining the
latest advances in health care, Dr Morrison will tell us why she
believes this link exists and discusses the possible consequences of low
birth weight on cardiovascular development.
Dr Morrison has a PhD in fetal physiology from the University of British
Columbia. Her research has included a study on antidepressant use by
pregnant mothers and its impact on fetal development, and therapeutic
treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea.
Dr Morrison currently holds a second National Heart Foundation Research
Fellowship. Her studies are funded by two National Health and Medical
Research Council Project grants, which began this year.
Winner of a Tall Poppy Science Award in 2006, Dr Morrison is an
enthusiastic science communicator who has participated in community
programs that provided her with opportunities to speak about her passion
for science with students of all ages, their teachers and members of
parliament.
Dr Morrison will present
The Body of Knowledge lecture
Small babies: big heart risks?
Wednesday, 23 May from 6.30 to 7.30 pm
Basil Hetzel building, City East campus.
The Body of Knowledge lecture series is free and open to the public but
registration is essential at
www.unisa.edu.au/health/bok
Contact for interview
-
Dr Janna Morrison office (08) 8302 2166 mobile 0410 344 232 email janna.morrison@unisa.edu.au
Media contact
-
Geraldine Hinter office (08) 8302 0963 mobile 0417 861 832
email geraldine.hinter@unisa.edu.au