An internationally recognised physiologist, Prof Polglase is a leading authority on the role of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and cerebral circulation in organ inflammation and injury in preterm and compromised infants. A Monash University Graduate, he completed his PhD in 2005. Prof Polglase was recruited to join the Department of Women’s and Infants’ Health, the University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, which was running the largest perinatal ovine research program in the world. Following his promotion to manager in 2008, he took over primary responsibility for running all animal studies. In 2010, Prof Polglase joined The Ritchie Centre where he established the Perinatal Transition Research Group in 2011 to influence clinical practice in the management of preterm and compromised infant care. Translation of his findings continues to improve treatment outcomes as evidenced by his publications cited in Australian, European, and International resuscitation guidelines, and multiple invitations to speak at national and international clinical meetings.

Recognised by the NHMRC with Early Career and Career Development Fellowships, Prof Polglase was also the inaugural recipient of the Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Fellowship, and received significant funding from the NIH. He has also received funding from the National Heart Foundation of Australia, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, and Financial Markets for Children.

Premature birth is the single greatest cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Prof Polglase is working to improve the respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological outcomes of infants born preterm. His findings continue to expand the understanding of how key events during fetal development, birth, and post-delivery influence the pulmonary, cardiovascular and cerebral systems of preterm babies. He hopes this work will reduce the incidence of organ inflammation and injury, in order to improve outcomes for some of our tiniest patients.

Selected publications

• Polglase GR, Miller SL, Barton SK, Kluckow M, Gill AW, Hooper SB, Tolcos M (2014) Respiratory support for premature neonates in the delivery room: potential effects on cardiovascular function and brain injury. Invited Review. Pediatr Res Jun;75(6):682-8.

• Skiold B, Hooper SB, Wu Q, Hooper SB, Davis PG, McIntyre R, Tolcos M, Pearson J, Vreys R, Egan GF, Barton SK, Cheong JLY, Polglase GR (2014) Early detection of ventilation-induced brain injury using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion tensor imaging: an in vivo study in preterm lambs. PLoS One Apr 23;9(4):e95804.

• Polglase GR, Barton SK, Melville JM, Zahra V, Wallace MJ, Siew ML, Tolcos M, Moss TJM (2014) Prophylactic erythropoietin exacerbates ventilation-induced lung inflammation and injury in preterm lambs. J Physiol, May 1;592(Pt 9):1993-2002.

• Bhatt S, Allison BJ, Wallace EM, Crossley KC, Gill AW, Kluckow M, te Pas AB. Morley CJ, Polglase GR, and Hooper SB (2013) Ventilation onset before umbilical cord clamping improves cardiovascular function at birth in preterm lambs. J Physiol Apr 15;591(Pt 8):2113-26.

• Polglase GR, Tingay D, Bhatia R, Berry C, Kopotic R, Kopotic C, Song Y, Szyld E, Jobe AH, Pillow JJ (2014) Pressure- versus volume-limited sustained inflations: recruiting the preterm lung. BMC Pediatr Feb 15;14:43.

• Tare M, Bensley J, Moss TJM, Lingwood BE, Kim MY, Barton SK, Kluckow M, Gill AW, De Matteo R, Harding R, Black MJ, Parkington HC, Polglase GR (2014) Cardiac function of preterm lambs is compromised by intrauterine inflammation. In Press Clinical Science (London).

• Galinsky R, Hooper SB, Wallace MJ, Westover A.,Black MJ, Moss TJM, Polglase GR (2013) Intrauterine inflammation alters cardiopulmonary and cerebral haemodynamics at birth in fetal sheep. J Physiol Apr 15;591(Pt 8):2127-37. Impact Factor: 4.88. Citations:8.

• Polglase GR, Hooper SB (2006) Role of Intra-luminal Pressure in Regulating Pulmonary Blood Flow in the Fetus and After Birth. Current Pediatric Reviews 2(4): 287-299. No Impact Factor. Citations: 4.

• Andersen CC, Pillow JJ, Gill AW, Allison BJ, Nitsos I, Kluckow M, Polglase GR (2011) The critical oxygen threshold in the brain of ventilated preterm lambs exposed to intrauterine inflammation. J Appl Physiol Sep;111(3):775-81. Impact Factor: 3.658.

• Polglase GR, Miller SL, Barton SK, Baburamani AA, Wong FY, Aridas J, Gill AW, Moss TJM, Kluckow M, Hooper SB (2012) Initiation of resuscitation with high tidal volumes causes cerebral hemodynamic disturbance, brain inflammation and injury in preterm lambs. PLoS One 7(6):e39535.

• Polglase GR, Hooper SB, Gill AW, Allison BJ, Crossley KJ, Moss TJM, Nitsos I, Pillow JJ, Kluckow M (2010) Intrauterine inflammation causes pulmonary hypertension and cardiovascular sequelae in preterm lambs. Journal of Applied Physiology Jun;108(6):1757-65.

• Polglase GR, Hooper SB, Gill AW, Allison BJ, McLean CJ, Nitsos I, Pillow JJ, Kluckow M (2009) Cardiovascular and pulmonary consequences of airway recruitment in preterm lambs. Journal of Applied Physiology 106(4) 1347-55.

• Polglase GR, Hillman N, Pillow JJ, Cheah F, Nitsos I, Moss TJM, Kramer BW, Ikegami M, Kallapur SG, Jobe AH (2008) Positive End-Expiratory Pressure and Tidal Volume During Initial Ventilation of Preterm Lambs. Pediatric Research Nov;64(5):517-22.

• Polglase GR, Hillman NH, Ball MK, Kramer BW, Kallapur SG, Jobe AH, Pillow JJ (2008) Lung and Systemic Inflammation in Preterm Lambs on CPAP or Conventional Ventilation. Pediatric Research Nov;64(5):517-22.

• Polglase GR, Nitsos I, Jobe AH, Newnham JP, Moss TJM (2007) Maternal and intra-amniotic corticosteroid effects on lung morphometry in preterm lambs. Pediatric Research Jul;62(1):32-36.