The Kids Research Institute Australia researcher and UWA Professor Andrew Whitehouse has been listed in the WA Business News 40 under 40 awards recognising accomplished and dynamic young leaders in Western Australia
Professor Andrew Whitehouse, who heads up the Autism Research Team at The Kids Research Institute Australia, is an internationally renowned medical researcher who has helped make important discoveries regarding the causes and treatment of autism in children.
The Kids Research Institute Australia Director Professor Jonathan Carapetis said Professor Whitehouse was driven by a passion to improve the lives of children with autism.
“At just 35 years of age, Professor Whitehouse has already established himself as one of the world’s leading autism researchers, and he is spearheading major paradigm shifts that are changing the lives of these children and their families.” Professor Carapetis said.
“His breakthroughs have led to changes in both Government policy and health service provision to ensure that every child in Western Australia is given the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.”
Professor Whitehouse said it was an honour to be considered for the list.
“While I am very grateful, it’s important to remember that I am one cog in a large wheel of dedicated autism researchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia. All of our achievements are shared, and we also share them with the autism community, who we seek to serve,” Professor Whitehouse said.
Professor Whitehouse has developed a number of innovative techniques for the identification and treatment of autism, which has resulted in a substantial reduction in disability for the more than 1% of children affected by autism in Australia.
He has authored two books and over 150 scholarly publications, which had been supported by over $40 million in research grants. His research has been profiled in the New York Times, TIME, The Economist, BBC, CNN, and every major television station and newspaper in Australia.
Professor Whitehouse is a recognised community leader in the disability sector, and has brought a diverse group of stakeholders together to generate new education, employment and recreational initiatives for children with disability.
He has been a key architect of Commonwealth Government initiatives relevant to childhood disability, including authoring the National Diagnostic Guidelines policy, which is reshaping the clinical management of autism in Australia.
Professor Whitehouse is also a prolific science communicator, who makes regular appearances on national television and radio to discuss new scientific findings. He has written newspaper columns for every major newspaper in Australia and also presents and produces a weekly ‘60 Second Science’ video, which highlights a recent scientific finding in lay language.
-- ENDS –
About The Kids Research Institute Australia:
The Kids Research Institute Australia is one of the largest, and most successful medical research institutes in Australia, comprising a dedicated and diverse team of more than 500 staff and students.
We've created a bold blueprint that brings together community, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funders, who share our vision to improve the health and wellbeing of children through excellence in research.
The Institute is headed by leading paediatrician and infectious diseases expert Professor Jonathan Carapetis, with Founding Director Professor Fiona Stanley now Patron.
The Kids is independent and not-for-profit. The majority of funding comes from our success in winning national and international competitive research grants. We also receive significant philanthropic support from corporate Australia and the community.