Peter Henry

Biography

Peter is a graduate of UWA, completing a double major in Biochemistry and Pharmacology (Honours), and a PhD in Pharmacology under the supervision of Professor James Paterson. Peter then enjoyed a rewarding 3-year post-doctoral period at the University of Melbourne working with Professor John Horowitz (Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Austin Hospital) before returning to UWA to join the Respiratory Pharmacology group headed by Professor Roy Goldie. In 1991 he was awarded an NHMRC RD Wright Fellowship for New Investigators, and in 1998 appointed to the NHMRC Fellowships Scheme as a Research Fellow. Peter was appointed as a Lecturer in Pharmacology in 2001, and is presently an Associate Professor, and Head of the Pharmacology and Anaesthesiology Unit at UWA.  Peter has spent 20 years investigating novel pathways that protect the lungs from the injurious effects of airborne allergens, respiratory tract viruses, bacterial products and environmental toxins. These studies have typically involved collaborations with scientists from international pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions, and have been extensively funded by the NHMRC. Recently, Peter’s research team has been particularly interested in understanding the role of protease-activated receptors and their signaling pathways in the airways during both health and disease. Peter's group has studied these pathways using a raft of pharmacological approaches ranging from studies of molecules (receptor binding, immunohistochemistry), cells (intracellular signal transduction studies, Ca2+ mobilization, IP3), isolated tissues (smooth muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release) and whole animals (lung function, bronchoalveolar lavage, leukocyte trafficking). His research group currently consists of Ms Tracy Mann (Research Associate), Mr Terence Peters (PhD student) and Ms Leah Bennington (Honours student). Peter has received several Excellence in Postgraduate Teaching nominations (UWA), and two of his PhD students have been awarded passes with distinction. His current academic responsibilities include being Unit coordinator for Systems Pharmacology PHAR3301 and the Head of the Pharmacology and Anaesthesiology Unit. He has previously held the position of Head of Teaching and Learning Committee for the discipline of Pharmacology

Research Interest

Systems Pharmacology