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 endo-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 and development of OSA pharmacotherapy. This work has had a major impact in advancing knowledge 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
2024 Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration Award, South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards, Department of State Development https://www.scienceawards.sa.gov.au/2024-winners
2023 Gold Medal in Sleep Disordered Breathing Award, European Respiratory Society https://thelimbic.com/respiratory/australian-sleep-researcher-recognised-with-ers-gold-medal/
https://www.ersnet.org/news-and-features/news/ers-2023-award-winners-announced-ahead-of-congress/
2023 Flinders University Vice Chancellor’s Award for Research Leadership https://www.flinders.edu.au/research/researcher-development/prizes/vc-research
2023 Vice President and Executive Dean Award for Fearless Leadership, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University https://staff.flinders.edu.au/colleges-and-services/cmph/staff-awards
2023 Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (FAASM) https://aasm.org/american-academy-of-sleep-medicine-announces-fellows-for-2023/
2022 Meier-Ewert-Preis Award, German Society of Dental Sleep Medicine (DGZS), granted for outstanding research in the field of dental sleep medicine https://x.com/AISHsleeplab/status/1572482761004240896
2022 Social Accountability Award, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University https://staff.flinders.edu.au/colleges-and-services/cmph/staff-awards
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 https://www.aadsm.org/about.php
2016 University of New South Wales Post Graduate Research Supervision Award https://www.arc.unsw.edu.au/voice/pgc/research-awards/2016
2015 University of New South Wales Outstanding Excellence in Post Graduate Research Supervision Award https://www.arc.unsw.edu.au/voice/pgc/research-awards/2015
2014 European Sleep Research Society Young Scientist Award
2012 Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand/Japanese Resp. Society Early Career Development Award https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/4885663/2012-annual-scientific-meeting-the-thoracic-society-of-australia-
2011 Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders Section Investigator Award, American Academy of Sleep Medicine https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/pdf/10.5664/jcsm.28241
2011 Ann Elizabeth Suratt Young Investigator Award, 12th International Symposium on Sleep and Breathing https://sleep.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/Public%20Files/Latest%20News/F_newsletters/1999%20-%202014/newsletter2011-06%20(1).pdf
Current Appointments
- Director, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI) Sleep Health Flagship Program/Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health
- Matthew Flinders Professor, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University
- Honorary Principal Research Scientist, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA)
- Adjunct Professor, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales
- Leadership Fellow, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
- Honorary Affiliate, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
- Lead Investigator (part time), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston
Previous Appointments
- Inaugural Deputy Director and Clinical Translation Theme Lead, Flinders Health & Medical Research Institute (FHMRI)
- Australasian Sleep Association Board Member and Chair of the Research Committee
Australasian Sleep Association Board member and Research Chair
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
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