Dr Rae-Chi Huang

Dr Huang is a paediatrician with an interest in nutrition. The recent pandemic of overweight/obese children accompanied with soaring prevalence of insulin resistance and type two diabetes has prompted her to initiate an investigation of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease with a particular emphasis on the early origins of disease in life. The early development of these conditions may mean that early intervention and targeted prevention may be useful.

She has worked for 9 years as a clinical doctor with 6 years being dedicated to paediatric practice. Dr Huang hopes to be able to combine clinical insights and practice with research focused on the genetic epidemiology of complex diseases that afflict our youth.

Qualifications

• MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) - University of Western Australia, Australia
• DipCH (Diploma of Child Health) - University of Western Australia/ Postgraduate Princess Margaret Hospital
• FRACP (Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Physicians) (Paediatrics) - Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• Biostatistics I unit of Masters of Public Health with Distinction - University of Western Australia, Australia

Research Interests

• Phenotypes and genotypes of cardiovascular risk factors
• The developmental evolution of cardiovascular risk factors and the possible origins in in utero/early childhood
• The use of feed thickeners for treatment of gastroeosophageal reflux in children
• Gastric emptying in adolescents with anorexia nervosa using C13 labeled octanoic acid
• The mechanisms of altered gastric emptying times
• Frequency and types of presentation of alcohol-related admissions to rural Australia
• The social and financial burdens of preterm infants born away from home

Scientific Involvement

• North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (NASPGAN) - Member 2000.
• High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia (HBPRCA) - Member 2005.

Awards and Honours

1988	General Exhibition winner (TEE score 489.3) 11th overall standing in WA
2004-2007	National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Postgraduate Medical Training Scholarship
2005	Cardiovascular Lipid Pfizer Grant
2005	Best Postgraduate Student Research Award, UWA - School of Medicine and Pharamacology Research Showcase
2005	Finalist New Investigator’s Award oral presentation at High Blood Pressure Research Council Australia (HBPRCA) 2005, Melbourne
2005	Robert Van Dongen Award at HBPRCA 2005
2005	Student Travel Grant for ASM of HBPRCA 2005

Publications

1. Huang RC, Palmer LF, Forbes DA. Prevalence and pattern of childhood abdominal pain in an Australian general practice. J. Paediatr. Child Health. (2000) 36, 349-353.
2. Huang RC, Forbes DA, Davies MW. Feed thickener for newborn infants with gastro-oesophageal reflux [REVIEW] Cochrane Database of systematic reviews. (3): CD003211, 2002.
3. Huang RC, Turner JA, Zacharakis B, Davidson G, Forbes DA. Gastric emptying in adolescent anorexia nervosa patients. Poster presentation at Digestive Diseases Week 2002. Cochrane Database of systematic reviews. (3): CD003211, 2002.
4. Fry MJ, Cartwright DW, Huang RC, Davies MW. Preterm birth a long distance from home and its significant social and financial stress. Australian New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2003 Aug;43(4):317-21.