Ros Black

Ros is a neonatal intensive care nurse and research nurse in the Newcastle Neonatal Research Group. Ros coordinates the education, recruitment, compliance, follow up and site liaison for 3- 5 national or local studies at any one time, each of which lasts 1 to 4 years. She has assisted in forging an international reputation for the Newcastle neonatal intensive care unit in the area of translational clinical trials.

Jane Buchan

Jane is a neonatal intensive care nurse and research nurse in the Newcastle Neonatal Research Group. Jane coordinates the education, recruitment, compliance, follow up and site liaison for 3- 5 national or international studies at any one time, each of which lasts 2 to 5 years. Her success in this area has helped forge an international reputation for the Newcastle unit in the area of translational clinical trials.

Associate Professor Adam Buckmaster

Adam Collison

Adam has graduated from the University of Newcastle as Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours). His PhD project aims at characterising the role of microRNAs in asthma. To this end, he employs cutting-edge experimental models of asthma and so-called antagomirs to inhibit microRNA function. He is supervised by Professor Joerg Mattes.

Celine Corbisier

Celine is a research assistant in the Newcastle Neonatal Research Group. Celine is currently analysing Laser Doppler recordings from a cohort of 300 babies to investigate the effects of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems on the control of newborn microvasculature.

Rebecca Dyson

Rebecca is a B.Science (Hons) graduate and currently a University of Newcastle PhD student studying microvascular function in the preterm neonate. Rebecca uses the guinea pig as an animal model for preterm birth and has discovered remarkable similarities with human newborn microvascular function. Rebecca is co-supervised by A/Prof Ian Wright and together they have secured 2 years of local funding to support her research.

Robyn Hankin

Robyn is a Respiratory Scientist and Paediatric Research Nurse. She has extensive experience in performing lung function testing. Her role is to assist in coordinating our Research studies. She also performs infant lung function testing in the Experimental & Translational Respiratory Group headed by Professor Joerg Mattes.

Luke Hatchwell

Luke has graduated from the University of Newcastle as Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours). His PhD project aims at characterising the role of microRNAs in rhinovirus-induced asthma exacerbation. He inhibits microRNAs with antagomirs to prevent the onset of an asthma attack in an experimental model. He is supervised by Professor Joerg Mattes.

Sandra Jones

Sandra is the Discipline Administrative Support and is available to answer your questions about your Class Timetable or Community Attachments etc.. Regular "Announcements" re changes of classes and new events will be posted on the University's Blackboard System. Enquiries can also be made by email to WACH@newcastle.edu.au. The Discipline Administrative Office phone number is +61-2-49213658.

Dr Yoga Kandasamy

Yoga is a neonatologist at Townsville Hospital and is currently undertaking a PhD co-supervised by A/Prof Ian Wright. Yoga is investigating kidney size and function in preterm babies and relating this to the appearance of the blood vessels in the retina to establish if changes in the vessels coincide with kidney growth. It is hoped this research will increase our insight into the risk of chronic renal failure as premature infants grow.

Mel Kerr

Mel is Medicine Year 4 Manager, available Monday to Friday. Enquiries can also be made by email to m.kerr@newcastle.edu.au or phone number +61-2-49214503 or Speed dial 68466.

Joanna Latter

Joanna is the research assistant in the Newcastle Neonatal Research Group. Joanna supports the research study investigating cardiovascular adaptation of newborns following preterm birth, specifically with her skills developed in the use of specialised techniques such as videomicroscopy and Laser Doppler to measure microvascular blood flow.

Professor Joerg Mattes

Joerg is Chair and Discipline Lead of Paediatrics & Child Health. He is also Head of the NSW Infant lung function Centre (NICE) and the Experimental & Translational Respiratory Group of the Priority Research Centre for Asthma & Respiratory Diseases, University of Newcastle, Australia. He is a Paediatric Respiratory Specialist at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital. His lung research is highly cited and internationally recognised.

Matthew Morton

Matthew has graduated from the University of Newcastle as Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours). He works as a Research Assistant in the Experimental & Translational Respiratory Group headed by Professor Joerg Mattes.

Kate O'Hara

Kate is a graduate of both science and pharmacy with experience as a neonatal pharmacist. She is currently a University of Newcastle PhD student co-supervised by A/Prof Ian Wright. Kate is studying neonatal pharmacology, including that of remifentanil, a fast acting, short lived opioid, currently being trialed in neonates for pain relief during Intensive care procedures.

Dr Ana Pereira de Siqueira

Ana is Postdoctoral Fellow with a PhD degree in Immunology. Her primary role is to coordinate research studies in the Experimental & Translational Respiratory Group headed by Professor Joerg Mattes.

Dr Robert Smith

I emigrated to Australia in 1983 after graduating for the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1981. My early training was directed towards a career in Rural General Practice but I later changed course and trained in Paediatric Neurology with additional time in Sydney and Canada.
Since 1998 I have been working as a Child Neurologist in hospital practice. I am a conjoint senior lecturer at the Medical School and current course coordinator for the Child Health component of the year 4 Women and Child Health (WACH) course.
Although I am primarily a Clinician-Teacher, I have undertaken multidisciplinary research in mathematical analysis of interictal EEG in primary generalised epilepsy and have ongoing interest in the genetics of neurological disorders.
I am also medical director of the regional Paediatric Brain Injury Rehabilitation Team (PBIRT).
I am a faculty examiner for the medical school and have been a regular local examiner for the College of Physicians (Paediatrics) since 1999.

Associate Professor Ian Wright

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.