Between 2005 and 2009, 551 children under the age of 15 sustained an intracranial brain injury. Those with moderate to severe brain injuries have varying degrees of ongoing difficulties in physical and cognitive functioning and social behaviours.
MAIC is excited to announce the funding of research into traumatic brain injuries in children. Over 5 years, MAIC will contribute $1 million to establish a Chair in Paediatric Rehabilitation. The purpose of this position is to provide leadership in research and education in relation to brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy and other disabilities. The Chair is being jointly funded by MAIC, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Children’s Health Foundation Queensland and the University of Queensland.
Following an extensive international search, Associate Professor Karen Barlow was selected as the successful applicant, and commenced in the role in September 2017. Associate Professor Barlow comes to Brisbane from Canada and has specialist research experience in relation to traumatic brain injuries in children.
The Chair in Paediatric Rehab will be jointly based at the University of Queensland’s Child Health Research Centre and Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital. This joint appointment will build stronger connections between academic researchers and clinicians, fostering more relevant research with greater potential for translation.