Dr Downey’s main clinical research interest is cystic fibrosis (CF). He works with a range of colleagues that includes, clinicians, allied health professionals, a clinical research team and basic scientists to create a translational research program in CF.

His focus is to optimise clinical response to established and new therapies.  He leads an active investigator-initiated and pharmaceutical-sponsored research program to help realise this. This is supported by national and international collaborative research networks.