Pictured: Peter Wills AC, Carol Bower, and Nadia Levin. Photography credit: Research Australia
The Kids Research Institute Australia (formerly Telethon Kids Institute) recently marked an incredible milestone, 35 years of groundbreaking research dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of children and families across Australia.
At the heart of this journey stands Emeritus Professor Carol Bower AC, whose vision and leadership have profoundly shaped child health research. Professor Bower, alongside Professor Fiona Stanley AC, was among the founding members of The Kids, helping to establish Western Australia’s first dedicated child health research institute. This created a place where scientists, clinicians, and epidemiologists could work together under one roof to put children at the centre of medical discovery.
Professor Bower’s contributions have been nothing short of transformative. Her pioneering work as an epidemiologist led to the discovery of the role of maternal dietary folate in early pregnancy and reducing the risk of devastating neural tube defects such as spina bifida, anencephaly, and encephalocele in babies. This finding, together with other studies from around the world, changed lives, not just in Australia, but globally, showing that these defects could be reduced by up to 70% with adequate folate in early pregnancy. Today, this knowledge saves countless lives and prevents lifelong disability.
Her passion for improving outcomes for children didn’t stop there. Professor Bower was also instrumental in establishing FASD Research Australia’s Centre of Research Excellence alongside Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM, ensuring families and health professionals have access to locally relevant information about alcohol, pregnancy, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Together, they co-chaired the FASD Hub Australia and developed the nation’s first set of FASD assessment and diagnostic guidelines, The Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD (2016).
“How lucky I’ve been to have spent 35 years at the Institute, working with and learning from researchers, staff, students, and consumers,” said Professor Bower.
As The Kids Research Institute Australia celebrates 35 years, we also celebrate Professor Bower, whose dedication, compassion, and scientific brilliance have left an enduring legacy. Her work has given children the chance to live brighter, healthier futures, and her impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Read article about Professor Bower’s recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours
Read article about Professor Bower’s breakthrough with folate
