Frequently Asked Questions | Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

Below are some of the questions we get asked. If you are unable to find an answer to your specific question, please contact us.

How can I have a career in medical research?

There are a variety of pathways that lead to a career in medical research. It's important to speak to one of the major universities about their entry requirements and find out more about the area of research that interests you, before making a final decision.

School groups can request a tour of the Telethon Institute, where they will find out more about the career pathways of some of our researchers.

Read more about what it means to study with us

How can I find out the latest research on a particular disease area?

You can read about our latest findings by viewing our media releases; reading Under the Microscope; or browse our research areas. For specific queries please contact us directly.

What are the Telethon Institute's key areas of research?
We have a broad mission to improve and promote the health and wellbeing of all children through the unique application of multidisciplinary research. Many projects involve scientists from different backgrounds collaborating to achieve the best outcomes:

How was the Telethon Institute founded?
The Telethon Institute was founded in 1990 by Professors Fiona Stanley, Pat Holt and Lou Landau who shared a vision for a multidisciplinary approach to research to improve outcomes for children. The Telethon Institute was established as a unique collaboration between clinical, population and basic scientists.

What are the Telethon Institute's major achievements?

In 2010, the Institute celebrated its 20th anniversary. These are some of our research highlights over the past two decades.

In addition, our researchers publish more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers each year.

Of particular note is the work by Professors Carol Bower and Fiona Stanley in helping to identify the important role of folate in reducing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. We initiated the world's first public health folate campaign and have since lobbied for the mandatory fortification of bread-making flour with folate, which has now been implemented across Australia.

Advocacy by our researchers also saw Western Australia become the first state to offer free vaccinations to prevent Hib meningitits. Our asthma and allergy researchers have made important discoveries about the development of the immune system and are in the final stages of trials of the world's first asthma vaccine.

The Telethon Institute has pioneered the development of powerful databases of de-identified information that tracks births and later health outcomes. We also have a disability database, a twins register, a cerebral palsy register, an autism register and we are home to the Australian and international Rett Syndrome database. These sources of information allow epidemiologists to track patterns and trends in our popultation over time.

The Institute is tracking the health and development of more than 2500 young people, who were recruited for the Raine Study before they were born. Data was gathered during their mother's pregnancy, and those same children are now around 16 years of age and still coming in for regular assessments.

More information on Achievements

How is the Telethon Institute funded?
The Telethon Institute is an independant, non-government, not-for-profit organisation.

The majority of our research programs are funded by winning competitive research grants from federal bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council.

The State Government of Western Australia provides valuable infrastructure funding. Much needed additional support is provided by our valued corporate partners, through bequests and personal donations.

We also fundraise to fill the gap between grant funding and research costs.

Why is 'Telethon' in your name? Do you organise Telethon the TV event every year?
The Telethon Institute is proudly supported by the people of Western Australia through Channel 7 Perth's annual Telethon. The board of Telethon Trustees administers the funds donated each year, of which we are one of the major beneficiaries.

We are called the Telethon Institute in acknowledgement of their generous support in funding our research.

The annual Telethon event itself is organised by Channel 7 Perth.

Does the Telethon Institute only do work in Western Australia?
While based in Perth, the Telethon Institute is global in its scope with collaborative projects across the world, including Papua New Guinea, India and the United States.

How can I find out more about the Telethon Institute or Professor Fiona Stanley for a school project?
You will find information and more commonly asked questions on our school projects page.

What is your connection to the 'Fiona Stanley Hospital' in Perth?

Fiona Stanley Hospital, currently under construction, will be located at Murdoch, close to nearby health and learning institutes. The hospital was named in honour of Fiona Stanley's huge contribution to health research in Western Australia.

The Fiona Stanley Hospital will offer comprehensive health care services to communities across Perth, but is not affiliated or connected to the Telethon Institute or Professor Fiona Stanley.

Why does the Telethon Institute have a separate Indigenous research area?
Aboriginal children and their families face a far greater burden in terms of poor health and general wellbeing.

The Telethon Institute is home to the Kulunga Research Network which not only facilitates Indigenous research, it also has an important capacity-building role in training the next generation of Aboriginal researchers.

The Telethon Institute has also published four volumes of results from the Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey which is the largest research project of its kind, interviewing the families and teachers of more than 5000 Aboriginal children.

How can I support the Telethon Institute's work?
The Telethon Institute runs a number of research projects that are looking for clinical volunteers. Find out which projects are currently recruiting.

Most importantly, we rely on the generous support of donors to help with funding priorities such as upgrading equipment, employing support staff and helping our researchers to share their knowledge at international forums and meetings. Support the Telethon Institute.

What is Fiona Stanley's role with the Telethon Institute?
At the end of 2011, after more than 20 years in the job, Professor Fiona Stanley retired from her role as Founding Director.

Professor Stanley has taken on an important new role as Patron of the Telethon Institute and will continue as Chief Investigator on a number of research grants and projects until 2014.

She will also continue to mentor researchers and supervise post-doctoral students. Professor Stanley will also continue her strong association with the University of Western Australia as a Vice Chancellor's Distinguished Professorial Fellow.

Meet our incoming Director, Professor Jonathan Carapetis

When will you be moving to your new building and where is it?
The Telethon Institute will be located in an integrated building with the state's new children's hospital on the QEII site in Nedlands. It's expected the new facility will be completed towards the start of 2016. More information on the new building.