Ordinary Member
Jennie is a molecular geneticist whose primary training was in the field of Immunogenetics. She is the Director for the Busselton Population and Medical Research Institute (BPMRI) Laboratory and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Population and Global Health at the University of Western Australia. She also holds a Senior Medical Scientist position at the PathWest Laboratory Medicine of Western Australia.
Jennie’s main research focus involved the study of genetics and epidemiology of common human diseases. She has published over 130 scientific articles, reviews and book chapters covering subjects including genetics of obesity, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases as well as genetic epidemiology.
Over the last two decades, she has initiated and managed a number of internationally recognised research projects as well as successfully managed and maintained the Busselton Health Study biobank. The Busselton Health Study (BHS) Biobank stored extensive cross-sectional and longitudinal health data and biospecimen on over 30,000 children and adults since 1966 and is one of the longest running epidemiological research programs in the world. It is a collaborative resource which has the capability to accelerate important and topical population health studies and provide translational outcomes in genetic and environmental risk prediction, diagnosis, treatment and health and age care. The BHS biobank has been described by public health experts as a “national treasure”.