Brett Manley

Professor Brett Manley is the inaugural Professor of Neonatal Medicine and Director of Neonatal Research at Mercy Hospital for Women, appointed in 2024 through a partnership between the University of Melbourne and Mercy Health. He holds a position in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health within the Melbourne Medical School. Manley graduated with an MB BS with Honours from the University of Melbourne in 2001 and completed his PhD in 2014. As a consultant neonatologist, he spent over a decade as a senior consultant at The Royal Women’s Hospital, where he also held a professorial title in Newborn Health. He is also an Honorary Fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and co-chairs the Research Subcommittee of the Centre of Research Excellence in Newborn Medicine.

Manley specializes in designing and conducting perinatal clinical trials to enhance outcomes for preterm infants, with a particular emphasis on respiratory support strategies for very preterm newborns suffering from respiratory distress syndrome. He has led or co-led several landmark trials, including the international multicentre PLUSS trial on intratracheal budesonide mixed with surfactant to reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia (published in JAMA, 2024), and earlier work on high-flow nasal cannulae versus nasal CPAP for post-extubation support in very preterm infants (New England Journal of Medicine, 2013). Other notable publications include "Hole in one: factors associated with successful neonatal endotracheal intubation" (Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 2025) and contributions to trials like SHINE and GUARDIAN. His research has secured ongoing NHMRC funding, produced publications in top journals, and driven changes in international neonatal practice. Manley has been honored with the 2023 Marles Medal—the University of Melbourne's premier award for research impact—the Dame Kate Campbell Fellowship, and the 2025 ACTA Award. He has delivered keynote lectures, such as "Puggles and Premmies" at the Women and Infants Research Foundation in 2025, and leads collaborative teams including PhD students and international networks.

Professional Email: brett.manley@unimelb.edu.au