A/Prof. (Jon) Hirst
| Work Phone | (02) 40420360 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 4921 7903 |
| Jon.Hirst@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | Associate Professor School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy |
| Office | RM3407, Hmri |
Biography
I work both in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Medical Sciences Building and at the Mothers and Babies Research Centre, JHH campus. We are also part of Hunter Medical Research Institute and strongly support the activities of HMRI.
Research activities: Since moving to Newcastle in 2005, I have developed research programme examining the effects of stressors on neurosteroid production during pregnancy and at the fetal to neonatal transition. The overall goal of this work is to develop neurosteroid replacement strategies for reducing neonatal brain injury. Our team 7 staff and students including 3 PhD students. We have major joint projects within the Mothers and Babies Research Centre with Associate Professor Zakar, continuing my long standing interest in prevention of preterm labour. We also work with Professor E Lumbers, FAA, in a major collaboration with her that will examine the role of the uterine prorenin/renin receptor system in the control of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels at labour onset.
Teaching work: I coordinate 3 pharmacology courses per year in the B. Biomedical Science and Master of Pharmacy programmes. One course is delivered entirely online and attracts students from around the country that are interested in gaining a pharmacology qualification.
Qualifications
- PhD (Physiology), Monash University, 1989
- Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Adelaide, 1982
Research
Research keywords
- Fetal Physiology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Pregnancy
- Preterm labour
Research expertise
Topics include fetal and neonatal physiology. Endocrinology of pregnancy, birth and preterm labour. Animal models in pregnancy research. Improved therapies for the treatment of preterm labour.
Fields of Research
| Description (Code) | % |
|---|---|
| Paediatrics And Reproductive Medicine(111400) | 50 |
| Clinical Sciences Not Elsewhere Classified(110399) | 35 |
| Biochemistry And Cell Biology Not Elsewhere Classified(060199) | 15 |
Centres and Groups
Centre
Group
Memberships
Committee/Associations (relevant to research).
- Grant Review Panel 3B - NH&MRC
- Member - Perinatal Society of Australian and NZ
Editorial Board.
- Board member - Neuroendocrinology
Invitations
| Protective role of neurosteroids in the perinatal brain Congress on Neuroendocrinology, United States (Conference Presentation - non published.) | 2006 |
| New approaches to the prevention of preterm labour Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, Australia (Conference Presentation - non published.) | 1999 |
Administrative
Administrative expertise
Course co-oridinatior 3 courses (2006& 2007 in Pharmacy and Biomed Sci. programmes. Member of the NH&MRC grant review panel. Member of the PSANZ abstract and student prize panels. Member of the Animal Ethics committee.
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Reproduction
Teaching expertise
Phamarcology with particular knowledge of reproduction and pregnancy. pharamcology and the endocrine system, sex hormones and HRT. Endocrine and reproductive physiology.