Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Having trained in Paediatrics in the U.K., I sub-specialised in neonatal medicine. I have a strong background in academic neonatal medicine, undertaking my research training with Professor Malcolm Levene in Leeds. I have experience at a senior level in major teaching hospitals in the UK, New Zealand and Australia, holding specialist qualifications in both the U.K. and Australia. I have been involved at these sites in the running of research studies ranging from physiology studies through to international multi-centred trials and thus have extensive experience of the difficulties of recruitment and involvement of sick neonates in clinical trials. Most of my research has examined aspects of cardiovascular function in neonates. In particular I have experience of a variety of vascular flow methods, including Ultrasonic Doppler, laser Doppler, flow probes (in animals) and xenon cerebral blood flow. I continued my interest in neonatal cardiovascular adaptation through my time as Neonatal Senior Lecturer in Auckland and to my current post in Newcastle.
I am now a part of the Mothers and Babies Research Centre of the Hunter Medical Research Institute, directed by Professor Roger Smith and I have developed the project on the effect of gender on neonatal cardiovascular adaptation with Dr Vicki Clifton. This work has been developed from work that we have done looking at the mechanisms of microvascular control in pregnancy and the effects of preeclampsia. I have been responsible for the microvascular part of these studies. Local competitive grants and an equipment grant from local industry (2000-4) have funded this work, which has recently been performed as part of the PhD of Dr Michael Stark and has lead to international recognition, prize awards and several publications.
I work 50% of my time as a Senior Staff Specialist Neonatologist and as 50% as Senior lecturer the Faculty of Health of the University of Newcastle. Research is an integral part of that work and I am currently undertaking a self-funded PhD. I have recently supervised 1 PhD student, and 2 honours students and two summer studentships, all awarded on time. I currently supervise 2 PhD students. I am actively involved in encouraging research participation by junior medical, nursing and allied health staff. I am the convenor of the ABC Children’s Research network – a group of over 100 children’s researchers in NSW. I am the paediatric representative on the Research Council of the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
I am currently or have recently been local coordinator for several national and international studies aimed at improving outcomes for the sick or preterm infant including: the ICE trial (NHMRC ID:216725), BOOST2 (NHMRC ID: 352386), the Proprems trial and I was an Associate Investigator on The Bubbles for Babies trial of level 2 CPAP (NHMRC ID:253790) and DAISY trial of developmental outcomes of surgical infants (March of Dimes, US,). I am a PI on the TORPIDO study of oxygen targeting in the preterm and on the PremiRemi trial. I currently am sole CI on NHMRC grant 569285 2009-2013.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, University of Newcastle upon Tyne - England
Research
Research keywords
- Cardiovascular
- Fetal Development
- Microvascular
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- Neonatal Survival
- Neonate
- Paediatrics
- Reproductive Medicine
- Sex Differences
Research expertise
Ian is a Senior Staff Specialist in neonatal medicine within the John Hunter Children's Hospital and Associate Professor in Paediatrics and Child Health, Newcastle University. Ian's own research program is focused on cardiovascular adaptation of newborns following preterm birth, for which he holds a sole investigator NHMRC grant and has a developing research group. He leads the Newcastle Neonatal Research Group, within the Mother and Babies Research Centre of HMRI. Ian is currently local coordinator, AI or CI for several national and international studies aimed at improving outcomes for sick or preterm infants
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 110399 | Clinical Sciences Not Elsewhere Classified | 45 |
| 111403 | Paediatrics | 45 |
| 110299 | Cardiovascular Medicine And Haematology Not Elsewhere Classified | 10 |
Collaboration
Dr Hannah Palliser and Ms Rebecca Dyson, University of Newcastle (2010-ongoing): This project focuses on microvascular function in the preterm neonate and uses the guinea pig as an animal model for preterm birth. Two years of local funding has been awarded for this research, which supports the work of 1 PhD student and 1 honours student. One publication has been accepted and 9 conference abstracts have been presented on this work.
Dr Yoga Kandasamy, Townsville Hospital (2009-ongoing): This collaboration is exploring the relationship between kidney size and function in preterm babies and relating this to the appearance of the blood vessels in the retina. It is hoped this research will increase our insight into the risk of chronic renal failure as premature infants grow.
Dr. Barbara Lingwood (University of Queensland) and Em Prof Eugine Lumbers (University New South Wales): Newborn Pigs are being used to explore the cardiovascular adaptation of preterm neonates. The research combines expertise in heart structure and control along with expertise in microvascular blood flow.
Dr Susie Lord, Alison Jones and Kate O’Hara (University of Newcastle): A collaboration focusing on neonatal pharmacology. In particular, this collaboration looks at the use of remifentanil; a fast acting, short lived opioid; in neonates for pain relief during intensive care procedures.
Associate Professor Vicki Clifton, Dr Michael Stark and Dr Nicolette Hodyl (University of Adelaide): The collaborators within this group provide expertise in placental physiology, fetal growth, neonatal adaptation and neonatal immune development. This collaboration has recently resulted in a publication on the the Influence of fetal sex and antenatal betamethasone exposure on the preterm microvasculature.
Current clinical trials:
Boost II (University of Sydney): Very premature babies may need treatment with oxygen because their lungs are not fully developed but a premature baby's eyes, lungs or brain can be harmed by too much or too little oxygen in the blood for long periods. The purpose of this study is to understand which blood oxygen level (oxygen saturation) is better for very premature babies.
TORPIDO (University of New South Wales): When babies are born they may need some oxygen to help them recover from the birth process. We have switched from using 100% oxygen for all babies to using air and increasing oxygen as required in term babies as this has been shown to improve their outcomes. This study is looking to see if we should be doing the same thing or continue with 100% oxygen in premature babies at delivery.
Australian Placental Transfusion Study (APTS) (North Shore Heart Research Foundation): This trial is testing the benefits of a placental transfusion at birth on cardiac function and outcome in preterm infants. It involves delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord for up the 60 seconds.
AEEG (Murdoch Children's Research Institute): Seizures in the newborn infant are common and may be harmful to the developing brain. They are not always recognised. This study investigates whether or not treating all seizures detected using a bedside brain activity monitor improves developmental outcome, compared to just treating seizures that doctors recognise.
High-flow nasal cannulae trial (HFNC): A multicentre, randomised controlled trial (University of Newcastle): This study aims to answer the question of whether High Flow Nasal Cannulae (HFNC), a gentle, easy-to-use new way of providing support for babies with breathing diificulties, can be used in special care nurseries to significantly reduce the number of babies who need transfer to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) 100s kms away.
Administrative
Administrative expertise
Consultant neonatal senior staff specialist
Chair of research subcommittee of Hunter Children’s Research Executive
HMRI representation on NSW Paediatric Research Network Committee
Course Coordinator for B Med Sci University of Newcastle.
200-2004 Treasurer of Hunter Paediatric Society
HMRI representation on National Paediatric Research Network Committee
Convenor of ABC Children's Research Network
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- Fetal Development
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- Neonatal Survival
- Neonate
- Paediatrics
- Reproductive Medicine
Teaching expertise
Undergraduate:
Tutor University of Manchester; organising curriculum delivery, monitoring teaching, individual student supervision, as well as organising OSCE examination for the entire year (200+ students)
Research fellow Leeds University; Curriculum delivery through individual student tutoring, small group seminars and assessment through MCQ and OSCE examination at both St James's University Hospital and Leeds Infirmary.
Senior Lecturer in Neonatology, University of Auckland; Undergraduate curriculum delivery for 4th yr medical students. Elective research student supervision.
University of Newcastle; Organisation of neonatal component of 4th year undergraduate paediatric curriculum. Collegiate development of the paediatric curriculum over the years (only conjoint to regularly attend discipline meetings for past 10 years). Teaching into Biomedical Science, Nursing, Medicine, Education and Sports Sciences. Supervision of research attachments and elective projects for Biomedical, Biotech, Psychology and Medical students, University of Newcastle and overseas elective students (approx 4 student projects supervised per year, excluding overseas). Exam duties (questions written, reviewed and marked, summative projects, clinical exams and OSCE).
Postgraduate:
Informal teaching on a regular basis for clinical MRCP (past) and FRACP (current) candidates.
Specialist neonatal nursing and Neonatal Nurse Practioner courses at Leeds, Auckland and Newcastle.
PBL training and delivery, University of Newcastle.
‘Teaching on the Run’ course as participant and then teacher.
Neonatal Advanced Life Support workshops on regular basis.
Introduction of regular performance appraisal tools for basic and advance trainees in NICU (prior to RACP recommendation).
Introduction of Minicex assessment for basic and advance trainees in NICU (prior to RACP recommendation).
AMC work based assessments for the past 2 years
Successful supervision of PhD candidature of Dr Michael Stark and 2 previous research honours students. 3 further current PhD students (on track) and another commencing 2012.
I have an increasing interest in the methodology of assessment examined at undergraduate level in 3 countries and continue to do so locally. I have set questions for and examined for the Diploma in Obstetrics for the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Australia and New Zealand and have examined for the national postgraduate FRACP clinical exam.
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 20 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $1,023,768 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2013 (2 grants)
High-flow nasal cannulae versus ambient oxygen to treat early neonatal respiratory distress in non-tertiary special care nurseries – A multicentre, randomised controlled trial$20,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Associate Professor Adam Buckmaster, Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Near Miss | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2013 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1300699 | ||
High-flow nasal cannulae versus ambient oxygen to treat early neonatal respiratory distress in non-tertiary special care nurseries – A multicentre, randomised controlled trial$20,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Associate Professor Adam Buckmaster, Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Near Miss Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2013 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1300479 | ||
2012 (3 grants)
An integrated approach to inotropic support in preterm neonates$75,000
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dr Barbara Lingwood, Mr Ian Wright, Professor Eugenie Lumbers, Professor Paul Colditz | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $75,000 | 2012 | 2014 |
| GNo:G1101107 | ||
High-flow nasal cannulae versus ambient oxygen for the treatment of newborn infants with early respiratory distress in non-tertiary special care nurseries - A multicentre, randomised controlled trial$20,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Associate Professor Adam Buckmaster, Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Near Miss Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1200676 | ||
Precellys Tissue Homogeniser$10,000
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Roger Smith, Professor Eugenie Lumbers, Conjoint Professor Tam Zakar, Associate Professor Jon Hirst, Mr Ian Wright, Doctor Gemma Madsen, Doctor Kaushik Maiti | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equipment Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1100979 | ||
2011 (2 grants)
Research microscope, confocal ready nikon eclipse 90i microscope$69,157
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Roger Smith, Conjoint Professor Tam Zakar, Associate Professor Jon Hirst, Doctor Kaushik Maiti, Doctor Gemma Madsen, Professor Rodney Scott, Conjoint Associate Professor Peter Wark, Professor Paul Foster, Professor Phil Hansbro, Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equipment Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $69,157 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1100024 | ||
A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy of Remifentanil for procedural pain in neonates$41,540
Funding Body: Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Susan Lord, Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $41,540 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1001089 | ||
2010 (1 grants)
Investigating the control of microvascular flow in preterm neonates during the initial extrauterine period$23,025
Funding Body: John Hunter Hospital Charitable Trust Fund
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Wright, Miss Rebecca Dyson | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $23,025 | 2010 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1000659 | ||
2009 (4 grants)
Characterization of sex-specific differences in cardiovascular adaptation in the first three years of life$543,300
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $543,300 | 2009 | 2013 |
| GNo:G0188875 | ||
Preterm infant carbon monoxide (PICOS)$25,000
Funding Body: Hunter Children`s Research Foundation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $25,000 | 2009 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0189805 | ||
Validation of energy intake and expenditure in young children using Food Frequency Questionnaires, doubly-labelled water and accelerometers.$24,940
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Clare Collins, Mr Ian Wright, Professor Robin Callister, Professor Philip Morgan, Doctor Alexis Hure | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $24,940 | 2009 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0190405 | ||
i-STAT 1 Blood Gas Analyser and Softron BP-98E$13,470
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Wright, Associate Professor Jon Hirst, Professor Eugenie Lumbers, Conjoint Professor Tam Zakar, Doctor Hannah Palliser | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Equipment Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $13,470 | 2009 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0189843 | ||
2008 (1 grants)
Characterisation of Cardiovascular Adaptation in Newborn Infants$38,336
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Wright, Conjoint Associate Professor Vicki Clifton | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $38,336 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0189360 | ||
2006 (2 grants)
Characterisation of sex-specific differences in pre-term neonatal cardiovascular adaption$25,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| John Hunter Childrens Hospital Research Foundation | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $25,000 | 2006 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0186084 | ||
Characterisation of sex-specific differences in pre-term neonatal cardiovascular adaption$6,500
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $6,500 | 2006 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0186083 | ||
2002 (1 grants)
Prediction of Birth by Prostaglandin Metabolite Levels in Urine.$24,000
Funding Body: John Hunter Children`s Hospital Research Foundation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conjoint Professor Tam Zakar, Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant (Defunct) | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $24,000 | 2002 | 2002 |
| GNo:G0182330 | ||
2001 (2 grants)
Peripheral vascular tone in the neonatal period - the influence of pre-eclampsia.$24,000
Funding Body: John Hunter Children`s Hospital Research Foundation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Wright, Conjoint Professor Warwick Giles | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant (Defunct) | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $24,000 | 2001 | 2001 |
| GNo:G0181221 | ||
Respiratory outcomes in the first three years after neonatal respiratory support: comparison of conventional management.$3,500
Funding Body: John Hunter Children`s Hospital Research Foundation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Chris Wake, Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant (Defunct) | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $3,500 | 2001 | 2001 |
| GNo:G0181223 | ||
2000 (1 grants)
Peripheral vascular tone in the neonatal period - the influence of pre-eclampsia$10,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Wright, Conjoint Professor Warwick Giles | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2000 | 2000 |
| GNo:G0178789 | ||
1999 (1 grants)
Evaluation of Columbia Respiratory Care Method in a peripheral tertiary neonatal unit$7,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Wright | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $7,000 | 1999 | 1999 |
| GNo:G0178029 | ||
Research Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 4 |
|---|---|
| Total current UoN PhD EFTSL | 1.33 |
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Proposed Completion | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2016 | PhD (Paediatrics) | Principal Supervisor | The Effects of Inotropes and Volume on the Peripheral Microvascular Blood Flow in Premature Infants |
| 2011 | 2019 | PhD (Paediatrics) | Co-Supervisor | Developmental and Environmental Determinants on Neonatal Pharmacology |
| 2010 | 2014 | PhD (Paediatrics) | Principal Supervisor | Understanding Microvascular Function in Very Preterm Neonates |
| 2004 | 2008 | PHD Medical Science University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor | Microvascualar blood flow and glucocorticoid metabolism in the preterm infant |
Past Supervision
| Year | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | PhD (Reproductive Medicine) | Co-Supervisor | Relationship Between Renal Volume, Prematurity, Birth Weight and Retinal Microvasculature |
| 2008 | PhD (Medicine) | Consultant Supervisor | The Influence of Sex-Specific Differences in Feto-Placental Glucocorticoid Metabolism on the Preterm Microvasculature and Transitional Circulation |
Ian Wright
| Work Phone | (02) 4921 4362 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 4921 4408 |
| Ian.Wright@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | Conjoint Senior Lecturer School of Medicine and Public Health Faculty of Health and Medicine |
| Office | JHH 3641, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Hts 2305 |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/ian-wright |
