Professor Danny Eckert

Matthew Flinders Professor

College of Medicine and Public Health

place Mark Oliphant Building
GPO Box 2100, ADELAIDE, SA, 5001

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.

Qualifications

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

Honours, awards and grants

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

Key responsibilities

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
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