Research at Barwon Health
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences
The Clinical Trial Unit (CTU) is supported by a team of endocrinologists and specialists in infectious diseases.
The CTU has been in operation for approximately 18 years, conducts pharmaceutically sponsored clinical trials, investigator initiated clinical trials, and assists with the design, planning and execution of clinical trials with collaborators.
The experience across the range of Clinical Trial Coordinators includes Division 1 Registered Nurses, Scientists, Diabetes Educators and a Bone Density Technologist.
The CTU operates in accordance with the International Conference on Harmonisation Guidance on Good Clinical Practice (CPMP/ICH/135/95) and the National Statement of Ethical Conduct in Human Research.
The unit conducts clinical trials in the follow therapeutic areas:
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
Hyperlipidaemia
Osteoporosis
Paget’s Disease
Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Fracture studies
Infectious Diseases
If you would like further information regarding clinical trials, or any information on the currently recruiting studies listed above, please contact the Clinical Trial Unit Manager Alana Sarah on: 03 5226 7621 or alanas@barwonhealth.org.au.
For a list of currently recruiting clinical trials, click here.
Contact us:
Alana Sarah
Phone: 03 5226 7621
Email: alanas@barwonhealth.org.au.
The Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit (EBU) conducts population-based health studies. At the heart of the unit lies the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (GOS), an umbrella term for a program of research involving large case-control and prospective population-based studies in both men and women.
The primary focus of the GOS is to describe the burden of osteoporosis in the general population and to identify risk factors for fracture. The large prospective cohort study was initiated in 1993; since then 1700 women and 1500 men, randomly-selected from the electoral rolls, return to the study centre at Barwon Health every few years to have their health monitored. The scope of the study has expanded over time to study determinants of other disorders including obesity, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, coeliac disease, wheat atopy and psychiatric illness.
The unit also conducts complementary studies designed to identify social determinants of disease, investigate antenatal maternal vitamin D status and off-spring health, and describe the epidemiology of communicable diseases including Mycobacterium ulcerans and H1N1 infections. A recent development is to explore people’s lived experiences in relation to osteoporosis and fracture. The unit is enjoys mutual support from Barwon Health and the School of Medicine, Deakin University.
Contact us:
A/Prof Julie Pasco
Phone: +61 3 52267393
Email: juliep@barwonhealth.org.au
Staff in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit:
A/Prof Julie Pasco Principal Fellow/Unit Head
Dr Sharon Brennan NHMRC Research Fellow
Gosia Bucki-Smith Research Assistant
Kathy Kolk Research Nurse
Amelia Dobbins Research Assistant
Carolyn Coulson Research Assistant
Cathy Verecondi Administrator
Ashleigh Nicholson Administrative Assistant
EBU publications
EBU Annual Report 2008 (PDF 1 MB)
EBU Annual Report 2009 (PDF 21 MB)
EBU Annual Report 2010 (PDF 14 MB)
EBU Abstracts (PDF 130 KB)
EBU publications (PDF 91 KB)
Clinical Research
The largest clinical study initiated at Barwon Health is the Vital D Study. This six-year study recruited 2,300 women over 70 years to investigate the effect of an annual large dose of vitamin D on reducing falls and fractures. The CRU designs and conducts intervention trials and is currently involved in trials investigating anti-oxidants and bone loss, health economics and mental wellbeing.
Contact us: A/Prof Kerrie Sanders
Phone: 03 5226 7834
Email: kerrie@barwonhealth.org.au
Barwon Biomedical Research (BBR) is a department of Barwon Health that incorporates all the laboratory-based research within the Geelong Hospital. It is managed by a committee headed by Professor Geoff Nicholson and Associate Professor Mark Kirkland; two researchers with Melbourne University appointments and 40 years combined experience in bone cell and hematopoietic stem cell research respectively.
The research performed by the staff at BBR is focused on the use of white cells from donated umbilical cord blood to investigate:
- The expansion of sub-populations of stem cells for clinical use in treatment of disorders such as leukemia
- A novel signaling gene in a population of T-cells that are critical in maintaining the immune system
- Differentiation of the cord blood stem cells into bone resorbing cells (osteoclasts), and the factors that control this process.
In addition, cells are extracted from the actual cord tissue and placental membranes and used to produce bone forming cells (osteoblasts). With such a variety of uses, the donation of the umbilical cord blood and tissues is a valuable gift. In conjunction with the projects described above, BBR also investigates the use of biomaterials to support cell growth of stem cells or for integration into skin and tissues.
The research at BBR is supported primarily by Barwon Health in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Deakin University and a biotechnology company, Cytomatrix. As well as the research being carried out, BBR also operates a Bone Bank licensed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to provide fresh frozen bone for local orthopaedic surgery. Bone is donated by patients having total hip replacement surgery and then utilized for bone graft procedures.
Contact us:
Research Manager, Dr Fiona Collier
Phone: 03 5226 7027
Email: fionac@barwonhealth.org.au
Clinical research into rheumatology
Contact us:
Dr Hedley Griffiths 03 5222 4491
The Geelong Cardiology Research Unit has been involved in the conduct of clinical trials since June 2000 and is recognised both nationally and internationally for conducting high quality clinical research and exceeding expected recruitment goals.
The research unit is located on Level 3 of Kardinia House, Geelong Hospital. On an ongoing basis, the unit participates in large-scale global clinical trials in cardiovascular disease, as well as trials/quality projects conducted at the local level.
The unit operates to the standards required by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Note for Guidance on Good Clinical Practice (CPMP/ICH/135/95) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007).
Associate Professor John Amerena (Director of Cardiology Research) has been involved in clinical trials for more than 15 years, both in Australia and in the United States, and holds appointments as A/Professor (Clinical) Deakin University, and Senior Lecturer (Cardiology) at Monash Universities. A/Professor Amerena frequently performs the role of Australian National Co-ordinator for global clinical trials in cardiovascular disease, and hold positions on International Steering Committees/Endpoint committees overseeing the conduct of various clinical trials.
Making up the research unit are a dedicated team of health care professionals including a number of highly experienced clinical trial registered nurses (many of whom possess post graduate qualifications in either Coronary / Intensive care or Diabetic education).
The unit also employs an administrative clinical trials assistant and a medical research fellow, who works closely with Associate Professor Amerena to provide medical oversight for research participants. The team is also supported by a number of experienced Cardiologists who perform the role of sub-investigators.
The unit conducts clinical trials in the following therapeutic areas:
• Heart attack and unstable angina (Ischaemic heart disease)
• High cholesterol
• Atrial Fibrillation / Atrial flutter
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Stroke
• Type 11 Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Chronic Heart Failure
To hear more in relation to current clinical trials, please contact us:
Donna Campbell/Charisse Spence
Research Manager
Geelong Cardiology Research Unit
Phone: 03 5246 5148
Email: donnaca@barwonhealth.org.au or charisse@barwonhealth.org.au
Barwon Psychiatric Research Unit 2010 Annual Report
Contact us:
Dr. Seetal Dodd, Senior Research Fellow
Phone: 03 5226 7666
Email: seetald@barwonhealth.org.au
Cancer is currently the leading cause of the burden of disease and injury in Australia. In the Barwon South Western region of Victoria alone, over 2000 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year.
The Haematology and Oncology Trials Team (HOTT) was established in 1997 to provide comprehensive management of all aspects of haematology and oncology clinical research conducted in the Barwon South Western region of Victoria. As a result, thousands of cancer patients from this region have been able to access clinical trials of international repute, quality and integrity, ultimately resulting in improved patient care.
Our research portfolio is clinically based, and aimed at providing coverage for a wide range of malignant and haematological conditions. These include cancers of the lung, breast, prostate, gastrointestinal tract and skin as well as lymphoma and leukaemia. Trials are selected if they address an important issue relevant to our patient population and are both scientifically and ethically sound.
Contact us:
Elaine Yeow, Clinical Trials Manager
Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Geelong Hospital
Phone: 03 5226 7858
Fax: 03 5246 5168
E-mail: elainey@barwonhealth.org.au
The Geelong Neuroscience Research Team has been actively involved in the conduct of Clinical Trials since 1987. The Department of Neuroscience at Barwon Health conducts research into the brain and the nervous system. Participating in large-scale global and national clinical trials as well as investigator initiated clinical trials, the Neuroscience Department has been held in high regard with its participation in research into Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Headaches and Migraines.
The Neurology Research Team operates in accordance with the standards required by the International Conference on Harmonisation Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice (CPMP/ICH/135/95) and the National Statement of Ethical Conduct in Human Research. The
Research Team are currently involved in Stroke and Multiple Sclerosis Studies. For a link to trials currently recruiting, please click here.
Contact us:
Sharryn Savickas (Clinical Research Coordinator)
Ph : 52267950
Email: sharryns@barwonhealth.org.au
Barwon Health ICU is a 15-bed tertiary level ICU with an active profile in Clinical research. Admissions include patients from all Medical, Surgical and Specialty units including Cardiac Surgery and number over 1400 patients per year.
Research in the Barwon Health ICU involves all disciplines and has grown substantially over the last 10 years. The ICU has been involved in over 10 ANZICS-CTG clinical trials, 2 multi-centre pharmaceutical studies and several ‘in-house’ initiated projects and national/international practice audits. Research in the ICU is supported by Research Coordinators 7 days/week. Current ICU studies are related to nutrition, preventing renal failure, skeletal morbidity post ICU, fluid resuscitation and sepsis in critically ill patients.
Contact us:
Dr Neil Orford, ICU Medical Director
Research Coordinators: Allison Bone, Tania Elderkin, Melissa Fraser & Tania Salerno
Phone: 03 5246 8006 or 0403 603 545
The Department of Peri-operative, Anaesthesia and Pain Management delivers approximately 18,000 anaesthetics per year, including general and regional anaesthesia and sedation. We provide a comprehensive pre-operative medical assessment and post-operative acute pain service, as well as a multi-disciplinary chronic pain service.
The Department is constantly striving to improve patient outcomes via improved anaesthesia and pain management. The Department’s current research reflects this focus and involves local audit projects, as well as participation in national and international multi-centre studies and locally initiated clinical research studies. We have a particular interest in the management of peri-operative anti-thrombotics, the role of regional anaesthesia in the management of post-operative pain, and peri-operative risk assessment and management.
Contact us:
Kate Lynch, Clinical Trial Coordinator
Phone: 03 5226 7333
Fax: 03 5229 9971
Email: kately@barwonhealth.org.au
The Department of Radiation Oncology fosters scholarship, research capabilities and excellence.
Over the past two years, the department has increased its research profile with an increased number of staff involved in research and an increase in publications. This research development has been possible with the support and encouragement of management and the Research Education Radiation Therapist.
The department aspires to continue enhancing the quality of research performance and endeavours to achieve the strategic research objectives of the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.
Contact Us:
Dr Charlotte Sale
Research Education Radiation Therapist
Andrew Love Cancer Centre
Phone: 03 5226 7880
Email: charlotte.sale@barwonhealth.org.au
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