Some of the latest research in women’s and infant health will be shared at a symposium at The University of Western Australia this week. 

The Stars Symposium is the Women and Infants Research Foundation's flagship scientific event for the year. 

Adjunct Professor Matt Kemp, from the UWA Medical School and chairperson of the symposium, said the foundation had designed a program that was accessible to the wider community while further educating researchers and medical practitioners, including nurses, midwives, GPs and specialists.

The focus for the 2022 Rising Stars and Stars scientific Symposium is Forward Together: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improving the Health of Women and Babies. 

“We hold these symposia to highlight the range of research supported by the foundation and provide a platform for high-impact WA researchers to share their important work with the community and their peers,” Adjunct Professor Kemp said.

Topics covered include improving outcomes for women with eating disorders in pregnancy, targeted anti-inflammatory therapies in pregnancy and the early detection of preeclampsia — a condition characterised by high blood pressure.

“This year, the foundation is delighted to have visiting Professor Tu'uhevaha Kaitu'u-Lino from the University of Melbourne present an update on diagnostics for preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction,” Associate Professor Kemp said. 

The symposium will also hear addresses by some rising stars in medical research including Dr Demelza Ireland, from UWA’s School of Biomedical Sciences. 

“A unique feature of the symposium is the involvement of both established researchers and some of the State's most promising junior researchers,” Adjunct Professor Kemp said.

More information about the symposium, which is being held at the UWA Club, can be found here.