Leigh Seccombe

Leigh Seccombe serves as Clinical Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, with an appointment in the Concord Clinical School. Holding a PhD, MSc, and BHMS, as well as credentials as a Certified Respiratory Function Scientist (CRFS), Seccombe is a prominent respiratory scientist. Seccombe is employed as a Senior Hospital Scientist and Respiratory Laboratory Manager in the Department of Thoracic Medicine at Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, where clinical research and advanced lung function testing are conducted in collaboration with the University of Sydney.

Seccombe's academic interests center on respiratory physiology, encompassing pulmonary diffusing capacity measurements using nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, mechanisms of gas transfer impairment in post-COVID-19 patients, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction via forced oscillation technique, respiratory oscillometry quality control, and hypoxia altitude simulation testing for patients with cardiopulmonary disease. Seccombe has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, including the 'Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science position statement for arterial blood gas sampling' in Internal Medicine Journal (2024); 'Quality assessment pathway for respiratory oscillometry' in ERJ Open Research (2022); 'Mechanisms of gas transfer impairment utilizing nitric oxide following severe COVID-19 pneumonitis' in Physiological Reports (2023); 'Enhanced detection of patients with previous COVID-19: superiority of nitric oxide transfer coefficient over diffusing capacity' in BMJ Open Respiratory Research (2025); 'Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction Identified Using the Forced Oscillation Technique' in Frontiers in Physiology (2019); and 'Acute altitude exposure in patients with pulmonary and cardiovascular disease' in Journal of Applied Physiology (2014). These works contribute to improved diagnostic protocols and understanding of lung function in disease states. Seccombe received the Annual Scientific Meeting award from the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science in 2010 and serves as Director of Professional Activity and Education for the society, advancing training and guidelines in respiratory science. Seccombe's research has influenced clinical practices in thoracic medicine, particularly in exercise physiology and advanced lung function assessment.

Professional Email: leigh.seccombe@sydney.edu.au