Research in the School of Medicine
For the latest information on research outcomes and information within the School, please see the School's news page.
Bellberry Research: To view further information on this initiative please go to "Bellbery makes it possible" on our News page.
UWS Research Success: Neural regulation of cardiovascular system: Professor Vaughan Macefield from the School of Medicine and Dr Luke Henderson from the University of Sydney are investigating how the brain regulates the cardiovascular system. This project is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Please refer to the attached information sheet (opens in a new window) to find out more about this interesting project.
Links to content on this page:
- Medical Education
- Medical Sciences
- Population Health
- General Practice
- Inspiring the Researchers of the Present and Future
Clinical Sciences
Preeclampsia Research
Professor Annemarie Hennessy
Dr Angela Makris
Dr Joanne Lind, NHMRC Peter Doherty Biomedical Fellow
The Preeclampsia Research Team is continuing to investigate the links between high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in women especially around the time of pregnancy. Together with our committed mothers, we have been able to identify factors coming from the placenta which lead to damage in the mother’s blood vessels and to high blood pressure.
These factors are potential markers for future blood pressure problems in these women. We are also interested in how these factors link with other compounds which are known to cause heart disease.
Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Research
Staff Specialists, Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine
Dr Belinda Cochrane (Head of Department)
Dr Soo Wei Foo
Dr Kevin Chan
Dr Graeme Thompson
Dr Anthony Aouad
The Department’s predominant research interest is clinical research in the field of obstructive airway diseases ranging from the level of the upper respiratory tract (ie. obstructive sleep apnoea, OSA) down to the lower respiratory tract. Our current
studies explore the interaction between cough and OSA and the utilization of inhalers in COPD/asthma. Our future efforts are aimed to further elucidate obstructive airway diseases inflammatory mechanisms and their implications on therapy.
Immunology and Allergy Research
Professor Connie Katelaris
Pamela Burton, Research Coordinator
Aerobiological research includes monitoring pollen and fungal spore levels in the Campbelltown region as well as Westmead and Gosford. Pollen and fungal spores can often trigger allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (hayfever) and asthma.
Clinical trials:
- Patients with allergic conjunctivitis enhanced by air pollution;
- Assess the efficacy, tolerability, safety and pharmacokinetics of immunological treatment;
- Comparison of house dust mite specific antibody levels in Australian and Columbian asthma patients;
- Quality of life Questionnaire in patients with chronic urticaria.
Pathology Research Laboratory: Translational Cancer Pathology Research
Professor C Soon Lee
Dr Joo S. Shin
The Laboratory is involved mostly in translational research in Cancer Pathology, particularly in gastrointestinal, breast, pancreatic-biliary, head-and-neck cancer.
Medical Education
Professor Wendy Hu
Professor Ian Wilson
Professor Brad Frankum
Dr Barbara Griffin
Dr Bronwen Dalziel
Dr Vicki Langendyk
Erin Mathieu
Iman Hegazi
Glenn Mason
Medical Education Unit research covers the educational impact of curricular innovations, development of medical self concept, professional identity, student welfare, educational measurement, assessment, selection of undergraduate students using multiple station mini-interviews, and other areas of research. For more information on these research activities, please visit the Medical Education Unit website.
Medical Sciences
Sensory Neuroscience
Professor John Morley
Professor Vaughan Macefield
Dr David Mahns
Dr Carl Parsons
Sensory neuroscience is a major area of research in the School of Medicine, and current projects include investigation of the neural mechanisms of tactile sensation, muscle receptors and proprioception, plasticity in the visual and auditory systems, vestibular sensation and the neural processing of pain. In addition, investigators in the School undertake collaborative research in the Bionic Eye project and the development of sensory feedback and autonomous control of a robotic hand.
Image: Inspiring the neuroscientists of the future - the Brain Bee Challenge
Cardiovascular Neuroscience
Professor Vaughan Macefield
Using microneurography, in which a tungsten microelectrode is inserted through the skin and into a peripheral nerve of an awake human subject, we can tap into neural signals going to and coming from the brain. Ongoing projects include assessing the role of the vestibular system in blood
pressure regulation, postural orthostatic hypotension, autonomic dysregulation in spinal cord injury and the firing properties of single muscle vasoconstrictor neurones in high blood pressure and other pathophysiological conditions.
Molecular Physiology
Professor Jens R. Coorssen
Dr Joanne Lind, NHMRC Peter Doherty Biomedical Fellow
Proteomics, Genomics, Lipidomics – Integrative studies to dissect molecular mechanisms.
The operating philosophy of this Unit is that only by understanding essential molecular mechanisms can we effectively deal with a growing number of serious medical disorders. Effective analyses require accurate identification and quantification of specific molecules.
Our research programs thus grow from and operate at the interface of biochemistry, cell physiology, genetics, physical chemistry, molecular biology and biophysics, based on coupling sensitive and specific functional assays / clinical diagnoses with molecular analyses, to provide an integrated, systematic and more complete understanding of underlying molecular mechanisms. Basic research focuses on synaptic mechanisms. Clinical and Translational research in the Proteomics/Lipidomics Laboratory focuses on identifying potential therapeutic targets and critical prognostic/diagnostic markers, and includes projects on preterm labour, seizure disorders, spinal cord injury/repair, and stroke.
The Genomics Laboratory is undertaking both human and mouse studies to investigate the role of genes and gender in cardiovascular disease, with a focus on hypertension.
These studies are likely to discover novel genetic variants that alter an individual’s risk to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease.
Pharmacology
Professor Gerald Münch
Free radicals (oxidative stress) and their reaction products with sugars and lipids (Advanced glycation endproducts, AGEs) are involved in the pathophysiology of diabetes, renal failure and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Free radicals produced by chronic inflammation in AD are not only neurotoxins, but have a subtle physiological role as pro-inflammatory second messengers, producing a positive feedback loop.
Therefore, a variety of anti-oxidants including lipoic acid and polyphenolic compounds, which can break this vicious cycle, are tested in cell culture and animal models of AD for their beneficial effect on inflammation and neuroprotetion. Final goal is to develop novel drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related dementias.
Regenerative Medicine
Dr Michael O'ConnorRegenerative medicine is a fast-growing research field that aims to use stem cells to repair or replace parts of the body damaged by age, accident, disease or congenital defects.
Current regenerative medicine research projects within the School of Medicine are centred around using cell culture conditions that transform human pluripotent stem cells into ocular lens cells and complete, functional lenses. These stem cell-derived lens cells and whole lenses are being used to investigate how lens damage and abnormal growth leads to cataract formation and blindness. These lens cell culture systems are also being used to identify chemicals capable of delaying cataract formation or progression, for further development into much needed anti-cataract drugs.
The Centre for Health Research
Professor Louisa Jorm
Professor Phillipa Hay
Dr Hilary Bambrick
Dr Shameran Slewa-Younan
Ms Sanja Lujic
Climate change, obesity, eating disorders, poor mental health are emerging as major challenges for the well-being of Australians. Health status, access to health care, and the outcomes of health care, are not equal for all members of our community. At the School of Medicine we have leading researchers from population and mental health investigating these issues from the community (with integrated epidemiologic analyses) to the ‘bedside’ (with clinical trials).
Several projects using data from the 45 and Up Study, Australia’s largest study of healthy ageing, are under way. Methodological strengths include epidemiology, analysis of large, routinely collected health data sets, data linkage, cohort studies, health surveys, and the evaluation of clinical and community-based interventions.
Mental Health
Professor Phillipa Hay
Dr Shameran Slewa-Younan
Professor Hay’s broad interests comprise of a focus on community and primary care studies in the area of burden from eating disorders and eating disorder mental health literacy. This namely the “knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention”, the “evidence” from controlled trials for eating disorder treatments, and getting evidence into practice.
Dr Slewa-Younan’s area of research interest is psychological distress and traumatic experiences in refugee populations. Recent studies have focused on the sex differences in trauma related mental health disorders and psycho-physiological measures an Iraqi refugee population seeking treatment in an urban Australian setting.
Disaster Response and Resilience Research Group
Professor Beverley Raphael
Dr Mel Taylor
Mr Garry Stevens
Dr Kingsley Agho
Dr Sally Wooding
Dr Penny Burns
This is a research and policy support unit with a focus on the mental health aspects of terrorism and disaster.
The unit works to provide an evidence base and platforms to support prevention, preparation, response and recovery with respect to mental health aspects of terrorism, disasters, pandemic influenza, and other major adversities affecting individuals and populations. This includes response to ‘slow disasters’, such as climate change and recently the psychosocial response of horse owners to equine influenza.
Many research areas include the involvement of first responder groups and agencies involved with disaster response and emergency management.
General Practice
The General Practice team at UWS are involved in an extensive range of research activities with collaborators at UWS and beyond across the following domains.
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Clinical Research
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Community/Public Health
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Health Services Research
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Education Research
More detail about current projects can be accessed on their research page.
Inspiring the Researchers of the Present and Future
Research Opportunities are available across the School of Medicine.
UWS MBBS students can apply for Summer Research Scholarships which matches them with projects and researchers on campus or in one of the Clinical School Hospitals - Campbelltown and Blacktown/Mt Druitt.
Collaborative projects with conjoint clinical staff are being developed across Greater Western Sydney.
UWS MBBS students can also undertake a Bachelor of Medical Research after completion of two years of the medicine program to develop advanced skills and experience.
The School staff also provide supervision for Honours, Masters and Doctoral students.
For more information about research opportunities in the School of Medicine, please contact Prof Louisa Jorm, Chair of the Research Committee.
