Overview
I am a Research Associate within the Infections, Inflammation and Immunity division at the Centre for Trial Research. Having worked in clinical research within industry, the NHS and academia since completing my undergraduate degree in 2003, I joined Cardiff University in 2011.
Currently I am Trial Manager for the "Azithromycin Therapy for Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity" trial (AZTEC) which is enrolling infants from neonatal units across the UK.
My clinical background is largely in respiratory medicine, specifically in paediatrics and neonates. I completed my PhD at Cardiff University in 2017 investigating respiratory outcomes in children who were born prematurely, using data from large longitudinal cohort studies. I have successfully co-ordinated a number of clinical trials over the past 15 years.
Biography
Education and qualifications
Apr 2012- Mar 2017: Cardiff University
PhD: The role of foetal/infant growth and physical activity in respiratory outcomes of prematurity
2000-2003: Lancaster University/Oregon State University
BSc (Hons): Biological Sciences
Career Overview
2019-Present: Research Associate/Trial Manager, Cardiff University
2018-December 2018: Post-doctoral research associate, Cardiff University
Aug 2017-March 2018: Research Governance Officer, Cardiff University
Nov 2011-Aug 2017: Research Manager/PhD Student, Cardiff University
July 2007-Oct 2011: Clinical Trial Co-ordinator, University of Liverpool
Feb 2007- Jun 2007: Research Assistant, University of Manchester
Jan 2006-Jan 2007: Technician/Trial Co-ordinator, North West Lung Centre
Oct 2004-Dec 2005: Senior Clinical Research Technician, Medeval ICON Limited
Oct 2003-Sept 2004: Clinical Research Technician, Medeval ICON Limited
Publications
2020
- Lowe, J. et al. 2020. Study protocol: azithromycin therapy for chronic lung disease of prematurity (AZTEC) - a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of azithromycin for the prevention of chronic lung disease of prematurity in preterm infants. BMJ Open 10(10), article number: e041528. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041528)
- Kotecha, S. . J., Watkins, W. J., Lowe, J., Grigg, J. and Kotecha, S. 2020. Differential association of air pollution exposure with neonatal and postneonatal mortality in England and Wales: A cohort study. PLoS Medicine 17(10), article number: e1003400. (10.1371/journal.pmed.1003400)
- Kotecha, S. J., Lowe, J., Granell, R., Watkins, W. J., Henderson, A. J. and Kotecha, S. 2020. The effect of catch-up growth in the first year of life on later wheezing phenotypes. European Respiratory Journal 55(6), article number: 2000884. (10.1183/13993003.00884-2020)
2019
- Kotecha, S. J., Watkins, W. J., Lowe, J., Granell, R., Henderson, A. . and Kotecha, S. 2019. Comparison of the associations of early-life factors on wheezing phenotypes in preterm-born children and term-born children. American Journal of Epidemiology 188(3), pp. 527-536. (10.1093/aje/kwy268)
2018
- Kotecha, S., Watkins, W. J., Lowe, J., Granell, R., Henderson, A. J. and Kotecha, S. 2018. Association of early life factors with wheezing phenotypes in preterm-born children compared to term-born children. European Respiratory Journal 52(Sup. 6), article number: OA3306. (10.1183/13993003.congress-2018.OA3306)
2017
- Lowe, J., Cousins, M., Kotecha, S. J. and Kotecha, S. 2017. Physical activity outcomes following preterm birth. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews 22, pp. 76-82. (10.1016/j.prrv.2016.08.012)
- Lowe, J. 2017. The role of foetal /infant growth and physical activity in respiratory outcomes of prematurity. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
2016
- Kotecha, S., Watkins, W. J., Lowe, J., Henderson, A. J. and Kotecha, S. 2016. Effect of early-term birth on respiratory symptoms and lung function in childhood and adolescence. Pediatric Pulmonology 51(11), pp. 1212-1221. (10.1002/ppul.23448)
- Edwards, M., Kotecha, S. J., Lowe, J., Richards, L., Watkins, W. J. and Kotecha, S. 2016. Management of prematurity-associated wheeze and its association with atopy. PLoS ONE 11(5), article number: e0155695. (10.1371/journal.pone.0155695)
- Lowe, J., Watkins, W. J., Kotecha, S. J. and Kotecha, S. 2016. Physical activity and sedentary behavior in preterm-born 7-year old children. PLoS ONE 11(5), article number: e0155229. (10.1371/journal.pone.0155229)
2015
- Edwards, M. O., Kotecha, S. J., Lowe, J., Richards, L., Watkins, W. J. and Kotecha, S. 2015. Early-term birth is a risk factor for wheezing in childhood: a cross-sectional population study. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 136(3), pp. 581-587.e2. (10.1016/j.jaci.2015.05.005)
- Lowe, J., Watkins, W., Kotecha, S., Edwards, M., Henderson, A. J. and Kotecha, S. 2015. Physical activity in school-age children born preterm. The Journal of Pediatrics 166(4), pp. 877-883. (10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.12.013)
- Kotecha, S., Edwards, M., Watkins, W., Lowe, J., Henderson, A. J. and Kotecha, S. 2015. Effect of bronchodilators on forced expiratory volume in 1 s in preterm-born participants aged 5 and over: a sytematic review. Neonatology 107(3), pp. 231-240. (10.1159/000371539)
2014
- Lowe, J., Watkins, W., Edwards, M., Spiller, O., Jacqz-Aigrain, E., Kotecha, S. and Kotecha, S. 2014. Association between pulmonary Ureaplasma colonization and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants: updated systematic review and meta-analysis. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 33(7), pp. 697-702. (10.1097/INF.0000000000000239)
2013
- Powell, C. V. E. et al. 2013. Magnesium sulphate in acute severe asthma in children (MAGNETIC): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine 1(4), pp. 301-308. (10.1016/S2213-2600(13)70037-7)
My research interests stem from my clinical trials experience and themes from my PhD, and relates to mechanisms of lung disease in the neonatal period and the impact upon respiratory health in childhood. I have a continuing interest in respiratory disease in children and adults including the management of asthma.
I have obtained funding as a co-applicant from the MRC and NIHR and welcome the opportunity to participate in new collaborations.