Professor Dan Chambers, Executive Director Research
Adj Assoc Prof Jackie Hanson, Chief Executive
The inaugural Clinician Researcher Training Pathway (CRTP) brings together The University of Queensland and Metro North Health to strengthen Australian clinical research through the identification, training, and support of our future medical, nursing, midwifery, and allied health research leaders.
It is designed to train and support future research experts through a structured and mentored pathway that includes time to prepare for and complete a PhD as well as protected time for post-doctoral research.
We are extremely pleased to announce the recipients of the inaugural Clinician Research Training Pathway and would like to congratulate them on their success.
Dr Eddie Shen
Title: Immunological profiling of sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) and the role of bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) containing protein inhibitors in a translational (cardiac organoid) model.
Principal Supervisor: Associate Professor Jayesh Dhanani
Associate Advisors: Professor Michael Reade, Professor James Hudson and Dr Simon Foster
Dr Shen’s project aims to develop an innovative preclinical model for investigating a potential new class of therapeutics for sepsis-mediated cardiac dysfunction. Septic shock is characterised by a dysregulated host response to infection with a mortality rate up to 40%; with sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) a recognised complication in ~50% of patients presenting with sepsis. Whilst there is yet no targeted therapies to address SIMD, preclinical evidence suggests a role of bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibitors and this study aims to assess the effects of serum isolated from septic patients via a cardiac organoid model, and the role of BETi in modulating carious cytokine profiles. The study also aims to obtain a better understanding of the pharmacokinetics of BETi in an LPS sheep model.
Ms Jane Wickins
Title: Preventing catheter associated infections in adults in the acute inpatient setting.
Principal Supervisor: Professor Claire Rickard
Associate Advisor: Professor Nicole Marsh
Ms Wickins’s research plan aims to help prevent urinary catheter associated infections in adults in the acute inpatient setting (CAUTI) in adults in the acute hospital setting. CAUTI prevention is based on standardisation of urinary catheterisation nursing practices to promote adherence to evidence-based guidelines. The project will:
- describe the prevalence of urinary catheter use, documentation, clinician awareness and removal plan for urinary catheters;
- evaluate and provide an updated review of evidence to prevent CAUTI in the adult population;
- investigate risk factors and urinary catheter clinical practices including appropriate use, aseptic insertion and maintenance, removal plans and duration of devices, urine microscopy and sensitivity testing, antibiotic prescribing and non-infectious complications of the device; and
- evaluate effective securement devices to prevent CAUTI and non-infectious complications of urinary catheters.
Dr Lai-Ying Zhang
Title: The Human Pulmonary Fibrosis Transcriptome at Single Cell Resolution
Principal Supervisor: Professor Dan Chambers
Associate Advisor: Professor Quan Nguyen
Dr Zhang’s PhD will look to develop new knowledge about the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and develop more effective diagnostic and therapeutic modalities using cutting edge spatial transcriptomic technologies. IPF is a progressive fibrosing pulmonary condition that has a median survival of two to five years from time of diagnosis and the current gold-standard diagnosis requires an invasive surgical lung biopsy. Furthermore, the pathophysiology of IPF remains relatively poorly understood and continues to limit the development of effective therapeutics.
Jackie and Dan.
