A passion for rural health has inspired Dr Debbie Burton in her role as senior lecturer in biomedical science at Charles Sturt University’s Orange Campus. “My son and father both have asthma,” Dr Burton says, “and my cousin died from a pneumonia-related illness so I am very passionate about research into how the lung functions.” Her research into the rural prevalence and management of asthma has looked intensely at the implementing of new techniques, rural health access, and environmental triggers. Australia has the third highest prevalence of childhood asthma in the world, with over 2.2 million people suffering from asthma including one in six children. Dr Burton will demonstrate her work as part of the Community Day to be held on Orange Campus this Saturday 9 September, from 10.30am to 4pm.