Prof. Dr. Peter Middleton is an internationally recognized physician, researcher, and educator in respiratory and sleep medicine, with a focus on cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. His pioneering work in airway physiology and cystic fibrosis gene therapy has shaped global approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. He has held senior academic, clinical, and leadership roles in major Australian hospitals and research institutes. Alongside his research, he has been deeply involved in clinical service expansion, professional societies, and postgraduate mentorship, making him a prominent figure in advancing respiratory health and improving outcomes for patients worldwide.
University of Sydney | Australia
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Education & Training
Prof. Dr. Peter Middleton began his academic journey at the University of Sydney, completing his MBBS (Hons) and earning the Royal North Shore Hospital Medical Board Prize in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He also obtained a BSc (Med) with Distinction, winning the prestigious P.O. Bishop Medal for his thesis on endogenous opioid peptides in respiratory reflexes. His early research included a project on asthma in New Guinea Highlanders, which led to a publication in the European Respiratory Journal. He went on to achieve Fellowship (FRACP) at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, specializing in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine. Later, he pursued a PhD at the University of London, where his groundbreaking thesis on cystic fibrosis ion transport and CFTR gene transfer included pioneering trials in liposome-mediated gene therapy.
Employment & Leadership
Prof. Middleton currently serves as Consultant Physician at Macquarie Hospital and Clini cal Professor at Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney. He is also an Honorary Investigator at the Woolcock Institute and holds long-standing roles at Westmead Hospital, where he directs the Bronchiectasis & Cystic Fibrosis Service. Under his leadership, the CF clinic expanded from 25 patients to more than 220, reflecting his commitment to multidisciplinary care and innovative research. His career includes positions as Senior Staff Specialist, Chief Investigator of the CF Research Group, and Consultant Physician at multiple leading hospitals, making him a central figure in respiratory medicine in Australia.
Awards & Recognition
Prof. Middleton’s distinguished career is decorated with numerous national and international awards. He has been recognized among the Top 50 worldwide authors in Cystic Fibrosis (Science LeadR) and is a Fellow of the European Respiratory Society (FERS) as well as the Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand (FThorSoc). His accolades include the Ludwig Engel Research Award, the Rebecca L. Cooper Research Award, the John Read Prize, and multiple TSANZ prizes for clinical and physiological research. Beyond academia, his contributions extend to community service, with recognition through Surf Life Saving awards, including the Rescue of the Year.
Memberships & Professional Service
Prof. Middleton is a global leader in respiratory health, serving as Chair of the European Respiratory Society Adult CF Group and a member of the Global CF Registry Collaboration. He has contributed to the European CF Society, Australian Bronchiectasis Consortium, and Phage Australia, shaping international standards in cystic fibrosis and respiratory medicine. His long-standing membership in the TSANZ and his role as an accredited examiner for the RACP highlight his dedication to training future generations of clinicians and researchers.
Mentorship & Supervision
A passionate mentor, Prof. Middleton has supervised numerous postgraduate students, including PhD, MD, and MBBS projects across University of Sydney, UNSW, and UTS. His students have investigated pulmonary graft versus host disease, occupational health in CF, volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath, sleep-disordered breathing in CF, and oral health disease burden in CF populations. His mentorship has produced independent researchers and clinicians who are now making significant contributions to respiratory medicine worldwide.
Notable Publications
Healthcare worker views on antimicrobial resistance in chronic respiratory disease
Author: Sachin Ananth; Adekunle O. Adeoti; Animesh Ray; Peter G. Middleton; Miquel Ekkelenkamp; Stephanie Thee; Anand Shah
Journal: Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control
Year: 2025
Impact of Biologics Initiation on Oral Corticosteroid Use in the International Severe Asthma Registry and the Optimum Patient Care Research Database: A Pooled Analysis of Real-World Data
Author: Wenjia Chen; Trung N. Tran; John Townend; George C. Christoff; Ming-Ju Tsai; Alan Altraja; Belinda Cochrane; Borja G. Cosio; Martin Sivori; Ruth B. Murray; Peter G. Middleton et al.
Journal: The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Year: 2025
Use of nebulised tranexamic acid in adult patients with cystic fibrosis: A retrospective audit
Author: Alison Merchant; Raynuka Lazarus; Cassandra Thompson; Jennifer Bishop; Yang Song; Peter G. Middleton
Journal: Respiratory Medicine
Year: 2025
Biomarker profile and disease burden associated with intermittent and long-term oral corticosteroid use in patients with severe asthma prior to biologic initiation in real-life (STAR)
Author: Florence Schleich; Désirée Larenas-Linnemann; Alan Altraja; Luis Pérez de Llano; Konstantinos Kostikas; Mohsen Sadatsafavi; Arnaud Bourdin; Roy Alton Pleasants; Mark Hew; Wenjia Chen; Peter G. Middleton et al.
Journal: World Allergy Organization Journal
Year: 2025
Mortality Is Increased in Those with a ≥10% Reduction in Spirometry Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: A Retrospective 5-Year Follow-up Study from a Single Transplant Service
Author: Cassandra S. Thompson; Megan Hogg; Jonathon Lennon; Yang Song; Catherine Farrow; David Gottlieb; Peter G. Middleton
Journal: Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Year: 2025
Prevention of Cardiovascular and Other Systemic Adverse Outcomes in Patients with Asthma Treated with Biologics
Author: Mohsen Sadatsafavi; Trung N. Tran; Ghislaine Scelo; Ming-Ju Tsai; John Busby; Benjamin Emmanuel; Liam G. Heaney; Christine Jenkins; Flavia Hoyte; Giorgio Walter Canonica; Peter G. Middleton et al.
Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Year: 2025
Conclusion
Prof. Dr. Peter Middleton’s career exemplifies the integration of clinical excellence, scientific discovery, and academic mentorship. He has transformed cystic fibrosis care in Australia by expanding specialized clinics, fostering multidisciplinary approaches, and leading research that has global significance. His leadership in professional societies and collaborative international groups has helped shape policies, guidelines, and research standards in respiratory medicine. Through his dedication to teaching, he has inspired future generations of clinicians and researchers. His enduring commitment to patient care, innovation, and global collaboration continues to have a profound impact on advancing respiratory health and improving patient outcomes worldwide.