Dr Sandra Chuang is a Clinical Academic (Lecturer) in Respiratory Medicine, at Sydney Children's Hospital (SCH).  She maintains a very active role within the Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's & Children's Health - both in research and education.

Dr Chuang has established a strong interest in children with various respiratory conditions including asthma, cystic fibrosis, neuromuscular disease, and rare lung diseases such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia. She is one of the clinicians at the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Clinic at SCH.

Dr Chuang is also fascinated with the link between respiratory and sleep medicine, in particular in children with the chronic conditions mentioned above. Therefore, in addition to Dr Chuang's clinical academic role, she is also completing her PhD titled 'Non-invasive measurement of work of breathing in children.'

Respiratory effort is an under-utilised but clinically relevant criteria in the diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing in children, especially for children with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and neuromuscular disease. Dr Chuang recognised that current diagnostic criteria for sleep-disordered breathing are insufficient for patients with respiratory conditions that are not associated with obstructive breathing. Finding a method of quantifying respiratory effort (hence Dr Chuang's PhD research) may enable a more complete assessment of sleep-disordered breathing. Dr Chuang is conducting her research under the supervision and mentorship of Prof Adam Jaffe, Dr Arthur Teng, A/Prof Hiran Selvadurai, A/Prof Jane Butler, and Prof Simon Gandevia.

Qualifications: BSc (Med), MBBS (Hons), MPH, FRACP

Broad Research Areas: Paediatrics / Child Health

Specific Research Keywords:

Diaphragm function, sleep breathing disorders, respiratory muscles, paediatric respiratory medicine, respiratory mechanics, cystic fibrosis, asthma, respiratory failure