Browse Research Staff by Research Area Dr David Brown     St Vincent's Clinical School Statement of Interests: In the field of inflammation I have clinical and research interests. Clinically, I am interested in the consequences of inflammatory diseases on the CNS, vasculitides as well as treatment of connective tissue diseases. My research interests are in several areas including chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. I am also actively researching the role of the immunity in cancer and neuroinflammatory diseases. More... Dr Rajkumar Cheluvappa     St George Clinical School Statement of Interests: Inflammatory Bowel Disease More... Professor David Davies     School of Medical Sciences Statement of Interests: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and the pathology of small vessel vasculitis. The pathogenesis of proteinuria The pathology and pathogenesis of renal medullary necrosis. Investigations into the efficiency and efficacy of pathology testing in modern medical practice. Quality assurance in anatomical pathology including use of virtual microscopy and development of methods for assessment of diagnositc performance. More... Dr Nick Di Girolamo     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Pathology Statement of Interests: Our current research program focuses on understanding how excessive solar ultraviolet radiation triggers diseases of the eye including pterygia, tumours of the limbus and conjunctiva, and how specific enzymes called the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to the development of such lesions in man. These studies utilize cell culture models and fresh human tissue specimens. The second arm of our research program focuses on identifying, isolating and cultivating human fetal and adult corneal stem cells to help us understand how the ocular surface is replenished under normal physiological conditions and following trauma and to devise alternative transplantation strategies to treat patients with corneal stem cell deficiencies. The third arm of our research program focuses on associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in MMP genes with common epithelial tumours such as colorectal, prostate, and breast. We have recently identified one such polymorphism in the collahenase-1 (MMP-1) gene promoter as a potential prognostic indicator in patients with colorectal carcinoma. More... Dr Johan Duflou     National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Statement of Interests: Major current research activity is in the field sudden death due to cardiac causes in young adults, in collaboration with clinicians and researchers throughout Australia and New Zealand. Other areas of research interest include aviation pathology, illicit drug deaths, and suicide. More... Dr Craig Hardman     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Anatomy Statement of Interests: In the fields of neuropathology and neurodegeneration, research vocuses on quantitative comparisons across Parkinsonian disorders (e.g. Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy). Other areas of interest include comparative neuroanatomy with special interest in quantitative comparison of neuronal populations across primate species and the production of stereotaixc and quantitative atlases of various mammalian brains. More... Professor Nick Hawkins     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Pathology Statement of Interests: In terms of colorectal (bowel) cancer, the work of the laboratory is focussed on understanding the molecular changes that drive the process of cancer development. There is an emphasis on the role of DNA methylation in the development of bowel cancer, and on the correlation between microscopic appearances of cancer, and the key genetic changes occuring in the tumour. More... Dr Cristan Herbert     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Pathology Statement of Interests: Asthma and in vivo models of the disease. Specific interest in the role of Th17 cell cytokines in the development of airway wall remodelling. Also interested in the effect of novel drug treatments on asthmatic lesions. More... Dr Sian Hicks     Prince of Wales Clinical School Statement of Interests: Colorectal cancer is currently the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and has the second highest incidence of cancer-related deaths. Our research group, the Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium, was established to develop and test better systems for the identification, integration and dissemination of clinically relevant information about colorectal cancers and to use this information as a basis to develop research that could be translated into clinical practice. Current project include: - Development of synoptic pathology reporting for colorectal cancer - Identification of data that is essential for the reporting of colorectal cancer by the Clincial Cancer Registry - Integration of mismatch repair deficiency testing (MMRD)into pathology reporting of colorectal cancer - Microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer as a prognostic indicator for metachronous cancers More... Dr Yue Huang     School of Medical Sciences Statement of Interests: Current research is focus on Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, with a particular interest in molecular biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and prognosis of Parkinson’s disease and early detection of dementia syndrome; cross cultural comparison on epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of the disorders; as well as human brain tissue analysis on the formation and maturation of disease characteristic pathological lesions (Lewy bodies of Parkinson’s disease, glial cytoplasmic inclusions of multiple system atrophy and coil bodies of progressive supranuclear palsy). More... Professor Levon Khachigian     Centre for Vascular Research Statement of Interests: Cardiovascular disease and cancer remain the most prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of these and a myriad of related diseases is underpinned by molecular and cellular changes in our blood vessels. Professor Levon Khachigian’s research is uncovering key networks of transcriptional control and inducible gene-regulatory circuits that lead to vascular disease. The group is also developing new experimental drugs that have the potential to treat a diverse range of health problems, from cancer and inflammation through to eye and heart disease. Professor Khachigian’s research program has two major objectives: 1. To better understand how harmful genes are controlled in vascular cells. This arm investigates signaling and transcriptional mechanisms of pro-inflammatory cytokine-dependent gene expression, post-translational mechanisms that modify protein behavior, proteinase control, the isolation and characterization of new genes induced or repressed by vascular cell injury, and the molecular control of vascular cell migration and proliferation. The group has considerable expertise in animal models of neointima formation, angiogenesis, tumor growth, myocardial ischemia, and inflammation. 2. To develop new vascular therapeutic agents. The lab is harnessing the outcomes of its fundamental research by pioneering the development of novel “anti-gene-” and “gene-therapeutic” strategies targeting key regulatory genes in a myriad of vascular disorders. This involves strategic collaborations with a range of clinical specialists, academics and drug development consultants. -------> PhD and Hons projects are available in both these research streams in Khachigian Lab in 2010. If you’re interested, please email l.khachigian@unsw.edu.au asap, sending your CV. More... Associate Professor Murray Killingsworth     South Western Sydney Clinical School Statement of Interests: Chronic inflammatory processes in cancer and retinal degeneration. Cell debris clearing by macrophages, stimulation of pathologic angiogenesis and development of fibrosis are studied using transmission electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry and histochemistry. More... Professor Rakesh Kumar     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Pathology Statement of Interests: In vivo and in vitro models of the cellular biology and immunopathology of respiratory disease. Major focus is the role of cytokines and growth factors in the pathogenesis of chronic asthma and acute exacerbations, using novel experimental models in mice. Ongoing collaborations with colleagues at the University of Newcastle/Australian National University, using gene-targeted mice and drug/antibody treatments to study the contribution of specific cytokines to inflammation, remodelling and airway hyper-reactivity; and the influence of early-life infections on the severity of chronic disease and susceptibility to acute exacerbations. Expertise in morphometry and immunohistochemistry has led to involvement in various other collaborative projects e.g. related to pancreatic disease and hepatitis. More... Dr Yong Li     St George Clinical School - Department of Medicine Statement of Interests: My current interest research areas include: a) To investigate novel biomarkers or tumour-associated antigens for cancer diagnosis, monitoring and therapy; b). To use targeted cancer therapy and combination therapy to control micrometastatic prostate cancer and bresat cancer; c): To investigate the mechanism of cancer metastasis. During my current appointment, I have developed expertise for treatment of prostate cancer micrometastases using the multiple targeted alpha therapy (MTAT) modality. More... Professor Andrew Lloyd     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Pathology Statement of Interests: The goal of the research groups which are led by Professor Lloyd is to understand the cellular and molecular basis of inflammatory processes in human infectious diseases. In particular, Professor Lloyd's research groups are seeking to define the role of cytokines, notably the chemoattractant cytokines (chemokines) in regulation of lymphocyte trafficking. The groups are focussed on studies of the pathogenesis of hepatitis C infection, and the characteristics of the host response to other infections includi ng Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus and Coxiella burnetii - the causative agent of Q fever. The scope of the research extends from laboratory studies of the basic biology of genes relevant to disease pathogenesis through to clinical and epidemiological studies in humans. The research includes cellular and molecular immunology techniques, and includes in vitro as well as in vivo studies in animal models of disease More... Dr Lionel Lourenco-Dias     Centre for Vascular Research Statement of Interests: Dr Lionel Lourenço-Dias is a molecular biologist with specific interests in vascular biology. More... Dr Veli-Matti Marjoniemi     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Pathology Statement of Interests: The pathology of female genital tract and breast diseases including neoplasia. More... Dr Ewan Millar     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Pathology Statement of Interests: The development of new predictive and prognostic biomarkers for clinical breast cancer. More... Dr Arun Sondur Jayappa     South Western Sydney Clinical School Statement of Interests: More... Associate Professor John Tapsall     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Pathology Statement of Interests: My research focus is on laboratory contributions for control of diseases of public health importance, with special emphasis on diseases caused by the ptahogenic Neisseria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These interests intersect most obviously in gonococcal (GC) disease. Achievements include the formation of the Australian Gonococcal Surveillance Program (AGSP) in 1979 and in 1994 its meningococcal (MC) equivalent (AMSP), now combined and maintained as the National Neisseria Network (NNN) which I co-ordinate. This successful model was used to establish a similar WHO Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (GASP) in its (separate) Western Pacific and South East Asian regions with more than 20 countries participating. These networks provide information for action via annual or quarterly data and analytical reports. N. gonorrhoeae is the most problematic STI in terms of AMR in Australia and globally. Other related outcomes nationally and internationally include optimised laboratory diagnostic procedures (including molecular diagnostics) and formulation of national diagnostic guidelines; applications of pathogen typing methods; and optimisation of programmatic treatments for disease control. Antimicrobial resistance [AMR] is increasing and this decreases treatment options. Surveillance of AMR is needed to determine programmatic as well as individual treatments but must be properly conducted to provide valid data. We conduct, in conjunction with the World Health Organization, comprehensive continuous and active surveillance of AMR in the pathogenc Neisseria (gonococci and meningococci) and link this to disease surveillance and control in Australia and the Western Pacific. More... Dr Gary Velan     School of Medical Sciences - Department of Pathology Statement of Interests: My current research is based on educational innovations, including computer assisted learning and Web-based assessments, and their effect upon learning outcomes in medical education. More... Dr Chris White     Prince of Wales Clinical School - Department of Medicine Statement of Interests: The research focus in gestational diabetes is to identify physiologic mechnisms responsible for development of the syndrome and tools that can be used for its reliable diagnosis. Screening and diagnostic strategies need to be developed as well as prenatal and postnatal management startegies for both the mother and the baby. Osteoporosis research is directed toward better understanding the biomechanical factors responsible for fracture and failure of bone to withstand minimal trauma. Diagnostic tools need to be developed that better identify those patients most likely to benefit from interventional strategies aimed at reducing fracture incidence. More... Dr Yan Yu     Prince of Wales Clinical School - Department of Surgery Statement of Interests: Dr Yan Yu is currently a Principal Hospital Scientist of Prince of Wales Hospital and the Section Head of Orthopaedic Pathology & Molecular Biology of the Surgical & Orthopaedic Research Laboratories. She is also a conjoint senior lecturer of the Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales. She obtained a PhD degree for her work on allergy and immunology from the University of Bern in Switzerland in 1992. She is one of the pioneers in the establishment of the Surgical & Orthopaedic Research Laboratories. Her research specialties range from animal surgery to tissue pathology, cell biology, protein analysis and molecular biology. Her research interests includes skeletal responses to injuries and/or implantations; osteoporosis and osteoporotic bone defect healing; osteogenesis and tumourigenesis of human osteosarcoma cell lines; mechanisms of osteosarcoma local growth and distance metastasis and targeted therapies; tendon healing; amongst others. More... Need to update your profile? Click here to login with your Staff ID, prefixed by a lower case "s" (eg s1234567), and UniPass to update your profile. If you have any problems please send an email to .

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