The sleep whisperer

"I embrace being a Clinician Researcher who learns from patients and families about how to provide high-quality care to a unique group of children with sleep difficulties.

My aim is to be a role model for all clinician researchers, especially young females, who deserve to realise that they can make a significant difference to the world."

It’s this passion for paediatrics and her infectious positivity that drives Associate Professor Jasneek Chawla to improve the lives of others. In fact, some may say it’s what keeps her awake at night!

As a Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Specialist with the Queensland Children’s Hospital and an Academic Title Holder (ATH) with the UQ Child Health Research Centre, Dr Chawla explores new treatments for children with neurodisabilities, including Down syndrome, and educates medical students.

“A key aspect of my clinical research is working with families and the organisations that support them, such as Down syndrome Queensland, Rare Voices and The Prader Willi Research Foundation, to better understand the challenges they face and identify sleeping priorities for their child,” Dr Chawla says. 

“At the moment, I am leading a multi-centre study with colleagues in Sydney and Melbourne, and I will use the information to explore new diagnostic methods and treatments to improve sleep, quality of life and family functioning for these children.

“Their families have so many struggles and challenges, and sleep is a modifiable factor that, if treated correctly, has the potential to positively impact the health and wellbeing of these children.

“We want to give these children, who are often not included in large-scale research, a voice and platform to be heard, and inform development of national clinical guidelines in this area.”

Dr Chawla’s work with children who have a neurodisability extends beyond Australia.

Born in London, Dr Chawla completed her education in Scotland before moving to Canada for further training.  

“I completed my paediatric and paediatric respiratory training in Edinburgh, which included spending one year in Vancouver for a paediatric respiratory fellowship,” she reveals.

“After qualifying as a consultant in paediatric respiratory medicine in 2012, I came to Australia to do a sleep Fellowship at the Mater Children's Hospital and then the Queensland Children's Hospital, when the two merged.

“At the same time, I joined UQ Medicine through the ATH Pathway, where I am heavily involved in medical and allied health student supervision, which is another passion of mine.

“My proudest research moment would have to be when the mother of a child with Down syndrome told me that she had just been to birthday party and all the parents were excitedly talking about the study I am leading.

“This is exactly why I started clinical research – so I can contribute to making a difference to these families,” Dr Chawla says enthusiastically.

“However, my research would not be possible without the incredible support that I receive from partners, such as Down syndrome Queensland. I feel privileged and very grateful for their support.”

There is also one other very important supporter Dr Chawla would like to recognise – her labradoodle, Ollivander.

“He is always so patient, waiting calmly for walks when I am busy working on the computer, and always brings a smile to my face with his cameo appearances during my virtual meetings, “Dr Chawla says beaming.

“Ollivander is also a companion dog for Little Lives Australia, the children’s charity that I run. He truly brings joy to so many people.”

It’s this broad support that enables Dr Chawla to keep striving towards advancing her field of medicine.

“Sleep needs to be recognised as the third pillar of good health, which impacts the entire spectrum of a child’s life and that of their family.

“My team’s goal is to become the leading research group for sleep in children with neurodisability across Australia and, in time, gain international recognition as experts in this field.”   

Now that would be a dream come true!

Read more about Dr Jasneek Chawla and her work with the UQ Child Health Research Centre.