Catherine Ann Byrnes is a New Zealand academic paediatrician, and is a full professor at the
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland (; Māori: ''Waipapa Taumata Rau'') is a public research university based in Auckland, New Zealand. The institution was established in 1883 as a constituent college of the University of New Zealand. Initially loc ...
, specialising in respiratory disease in children, including
cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive manner that impairs the normal clearance of Sputum, mucus from the lungs, which facilitates the colonization and infection of the lungs by bacteria, notably ''Staphy ...
and infectious diseases.
Academic career
Byrnes completed a
PhD
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, DPhil; or ) is a terminal degree that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of graduate study and original research. The name of the deg ...
titled ''Non-invasive method of measuring airway inflammation: exhaled nitric oxide'' at the University of Auckland. Byrnes then joined the faculty of the University of Auckland, rising to full professor. Byrnes is the chair of the New Zealand Respiratory and Sleep Clinical Network, and a member of the Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand Clinical Advisory Panel.
Byrnes's research focuses on respiratory diseases in children, including infectious diseases such as
RSV,
influenza
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms range from mild to severe and often include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue. These sympto ...
and
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...
, and conditions such as cystic fibrosis. Byrnes and her colleagues invented a game, called BreatheHero, to help children undergoing physiotherapy for cystic fibrosis complete their daily exercises. She also supervised research on treatment experiences for children with bronchiectasis, which normally required a two week stay in hospital for intravenous antibiotics. The research team found that shortening the stay in hospital to one week, followed by oral antibiotics at home, had the same treatment outcomes but provided a much better experience for patients and their families. Byrnes was part of a two-year multi-disciplinary collaboration between ESR and the University of Auckland aimed at reducing the spread of infectious respiratory viruses, the Southern Hemisphere Influenza and Vaccine Effectiveness Research and Surveillance V (SHIVERS-V).
Selected works
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References
External links
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Bronchiectasis in children', Cass Byrnes, podcast 13 May 2020
{{DEFAULTSORT:Byrnes, Cass
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
New Zealand academics
New Zealand women academics
New Zealand medical doctors
University of Auckland alumni
Academic staff of the University of Auckland