Professor Danny Eckert
Matthew Flinders Professor
College of Medicine and Public Health
My research aims to improve understanding of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and respiratory disease pathophysiology, identify novel therapeutic targets, and develop new-targeted therapies. To do this, I lead a comprehensive translational research program. My team uses a variety of experimental approaches to measure upper airway neuromuscular control and respiratory mechanics in humans to advance knowledge of basic mechanisms through to multicentre clinical trials to test new therapies. I am most well-known for my respiratory phenotyping work which has led to a new precision medicine therapeutic framework to understand and treat OSA and for my research on the role of arousal mechanisms and hypnotics in OSA pathogenesis and treatment. This work has had a major impact in advancement of OSA pathophysiology and realignment of the therapeutic agenda for this common, chronic health condition.
Higher Education
2003-2006 Ph.D. Sleep/Respiratory Physiology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, Adelaide University
2002 B.Sc. (Hons) Respiratory Physiology, 1st Class Honours, Adelaide University
1998-2000 B.App.Sc. Human Movement/Exercise Physiology, University of South Australia
Most recent awards and Honours
2023 Gold Medal in Sleep Disordered Breathing Award, European Respiratory Society
2023 Flinders University Vice Chancellor’s Award for Research Leadership
2023 Vice President and Executive Dean Award for Fearless Leadership, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University
2023 Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (FAASM)
2022 Meier-Ewert-Preis Award, German Society of Dental Sleep Medicine (DGZS), granted for outstanding research in the field of dental sleep medicine
2022 Social Accountability Award, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University
2019 Pierre Robin Award, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine for exceptional initiative and progress in the areas of education and academic research with original contributions to dental sleep medicine
2016 University of New South Wales Post Graduate Research Supervision Award
2015 University of New South Wales Outstanding Excellence in Post Graduate Research Supervision Award
2014 European Sleep Research Society Young Scientist Award
2012 Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand/Japanese Resp. Society Early Career Development Award
2011 Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders Section Investigator Award, American Academy of Sleep Medicine
2011 Ann Elizabeth Suratt Young Investigator Award, 12th International Symposium on Sleep and Breathing
Current Appointments
- Director, Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health: A Flinders Centre for Research Excellence
- Professor, College of Medicine and Public Health and Matthew Flinders Fellow, Flinders University
- Deputy Director and Clinical Translation Theme Leader, Flinders Health & Medical Research Institute (FHMRI)
- Principal Research Scientist and Director for the Sleep Program, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA)
- Adjunct Professor, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales
- Leadership Fellow, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
- Honorary Affiliate, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
Australasian Sleep Association Board member and Research Chair
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
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