Dr Nicholas Fancourt

Research fellow, Child and Maternal Health Division

Qualifications:

PhD, Johns Hopkins University, 2016; Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, 2019; Master of Bioethics and Health Law, University of Otago, 2010; Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, University of Otago, 2007; Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours, University of Otago, 2004

Approved level of HDR supervision at Charles Darwin University:

Primary Supervisor

Location:

Darwin - JMB; Dili, Timor-Leste

Biography:

Dr Nick Fancourt is an early career researcher, paediatrician and program leader for Menzies’ Child Health Division International Programs.

Nick’s research program is focused on childhood pneumonia. His work aims to understand how basic science, clinical care, and health systems can prevent and treat this disease. He has led major international efforts to improve the chest x-ray diagnosis of pneumonia in research studies.

His current research investigates the intersection between malnutrition, infection, immunology, and respiratory disease. He also works on major initiatives to improve communicable disease control and antimicrobial resistance in Timor-Leste.

Nick has won many awards for his work, including an International Fulbright Science and Technology Award (2011-14), the Thesis Publication Award at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2017), the Trainee Research Award for Excellence from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (2017) and the Harry Christian Giese Research into Action Award (2020). Nick works as a general paediatrician in urban and remote areas of the Northern Territory.


 

Research Themes
  • Child and Maternal Health
  • Childhood Immunisation
  1. MEDIA RELEASE | NHMRC funding awarded to tackle malaria and pneumonia on a global scale

    MEDIA RELEASE | NHMRC funding awarded to tackle malaria and pneumonia on a global scale

    Date

    Two top researchers from Menzies are closer to tackling life-threatening diseases and improving global health approaches after securing competitive national funding.

  2. The NT’s tough-on-crime approach won’t reduce youth offending. This is what we know works

    The NT’s tough-on-crime approach won’t reduce youth offending. This is what we know works

    Date

    Last week the NT government proposed legislative changes to youth justice, including tightening access to bail and diversion, particularly for re-offenders. But this tough-on-crime approach runs contrary to what we know works to reduce youth offending and keep children healthy.

  3. How collaboration and communication are changing diagnostic capacity in Timor-Leste

    How collaboration and communication are changing diagnostic capacity in Timor-Leste

    Date

    Last May, a leading Australian health institute, Menzies School of Health Research, was awarded a grant of up to £4million by the Fleming Fund to improve laboratory diagnostic capacity and antimicrobial data use in Timor-Leste.

  4. A political impasse in Timor-Leste as coronavirus looms

    A political impasse in Timor-Leste as coronavirus looms

    Date

    Despite the political impasse, preparations for their COVID-19 response by the interim government and President have been systematic and reassuring.

  5. Australia helps Timor-Leste to prepare for COVID-19

    Australia helps Timor-Leste to prepare for COVID-19

    Date

    Australia is supporting Timor-Leste to be prepared in case there is an outbreak of COVID-19.

  6. Child malnutrition and pneumonia research wins Harry Christian Giese Award

    Child malnutrition and pneumonia research wins Harry Christian Giese Award

    Date

    The 2019 Harry Christian Giese Research into Action Award will support a Nutrition Worker to lead an education program for 8 months, to better understand the social and cultural drivers of malnutrition, the experience of hospital care and perceived barriers to recovery.

  7. Coronavirus assistance to Pacific and Timor-Leste

    Coronavirus assistance to Pacific and Timor-Leste

    Date

    Coronavirus [COVID-19] is now affecting 75 countries, with the total number of cases over 90,000 and the global death toll at more than 3000.

  8. Coronavirus assistance to Pacific and Timor-Leste

    Coronavirus assistance to Pacific and Timor-Leste

    Date

    Coronavirus [COVID-19] is now affecting 75 countries, with the total number of cases over 90,000 and the global death toll at more than 3000.

  1. Francis, J.R., Sarmento, N., Draper, A.D.K., Marr, I., Ting, S., Fancourt, N., [...], Yan, J. (2020). Antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic use in Timor-Leste: building surveillance capacity with a One Health approach. Communicable Diseases Intelligence, 44. 10.33321/cdi.32019.33344.33321. doi:10.33321/cdi.2020.44.1.
  2. Draper, A.D.K., Niha, M.A.V., Monteiro, M., Fancourt, N.S.S., Boyd, R.H., & Francis, J.R. (2019). Integrated disease surveillance and response in Timor-Leste. NT Disease Control Bulletin, 26(3), 20-23.
  3. Mahomed, N., Fancourt, N., de Campo, J., de Campo, M., Akano, A., Cherian, T., [...], Mulholland, K. (2017). Preliminary report from the World Health Organisation Chest Radiography in Epidemiological Studies project. Pediatr Radiol, 47(11), 1399-1404. doi:10.1007/s00247-017-3834-9.
  4. Fancourt, N., Deloria Knoll, M., Baggett, H.C., Brooks, W.A., Feikin, D.R., Hammitt, L.L., [...], O'Brien, K.L. (2017). Chest Radiograph Findings in Childhood Pneumonia Cases From the Multisite PERCH Study. Clin Infect Dis, 64(suppl_3), s262-270. doi:10.1093/cid/cix089.
  5. Fancourt, N., Deloria Knoll, M., Barger-Kamate, B., de Campo, J., de Campo, M., Diallo, M., [...], O’Brien, K. L. (2017). Standardized Interpretation of Chest Radiographs in Cases of Pediatric Pneumonia From the PERCH Study. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 64(suppl_3), S253-S261. doi:10.1093/cid/cix082
  6. Fancourt, N., Turner, N., Asher, M.I., & Dowell, T. (2010). Primary health care funding for children under six years of age in New Zealand: why is this so hard? J Prim Health Care, 2(4), 338-342.