Staff Members

Acting Director

A/Prof. Helen Dewey
MB BS PhD FRACP FAFRM
Associate Director of the National Stroke Research Institute.
Helen is a neurologist with inpatient and outpatient responsibilities at the Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre. She has received her PhD with her thesis entitled: 'Comparing the costs of stroke subtypes: a cost of illness study'. Her research has addressed the costs of stroke with a particular focus on the costs of post-acute care including the cost of informal care provided by family and friends and 'out of pocket' costs to stroke patients and their family. Helen assists in the running of the North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study and also has a role as a co-investigator in a number of stroke clinical trials.

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Acting Director

Dr. David Howells
Developing research programs to study the mechanisms of neural injury and regeneration. Responsible for supervision of PhD and Hon. Students. Runs the Department of Neurology Neuroscience Program, and Visiting Neuroscience Professor Program.

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Administrative

Business Manager
Dr. Karin Sitte
PhD, GCrt Mgt (Tech Mgt)
Dr Karin Sitte was born in Venezuela and came to Australia in 1985. She has a background in research with a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Queensland and a PhD which was completed through the CRC for Vaccine Technology. Her scientific skills were refined through several years as a post doctoral research scientist in a variety of fileds including: quantitative genetics, malaria and gene therapy for neurological diseases. In 2002 she joined NSRI as the Austin Node manager for Neurosciences Victoria. During this time she also completed a Graduate Certificate in Management through La Trobe University. In 2005 Karin became Business Manager of NSRI.

Office administration/Reception
Ms. Jackie Finn

Managing Editor
Ms. Carmen Lahiff-Jenkins
International Journal of Stroke
Carmen's role incorporates contact with publishing company Blackwell, manuscript contributors and the associate editors and Editorial board of the IJS. She works closely with Geoffrey Donnan IJS Editor in Chief and co-ordinates manuscripts, copyedits, and makes things run smoothly.

Executive Assistant
Ms. Anna Marcon

Book Keeper
Ms. Denise Sciacovelli

Payroll Administrator
Ms. Maria Gomez

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Statistics and decision support

Head of Statistics and decision support
A/Prof. Leonid Churilov

Data Manager
Ms. Li Chun Quang
G.Dip ComputerSci, G.Dip Social Stats
Database set up, maintenance, analysis, and management of computer systems in the Institute. Assists Prof. Donnan and fellows with presentations, posters and papers. Set up web database pages for interactive data entry on the internet.

IT Systems Officer
Mr. Tim Brewer

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Clinical Trials

Director/Head of Clinical Trials Division
Prof. Geoffrey Donnan
Director of the National Stroke Research Institute.
Coordinator of Divisions of NSRI and conduct of clinical trials.

Very Early Rehabilitation (VER) Stroke Research Program

Program staff

Program Director
A/Prof. Julie Bernhardt
PhD (PT), B App Sc (PT)
Julie is a physiotherapist with extensive experience in stroke rehabilitation. She completed her PhD in 1998 and commenced her post-doctoral studies at the NSRI in 2001. She is the director of the very early rehabilitation research program which includes AVERT Phases 1, 2, and 3 as well as a number of sub-studies and related projects. The research program examines whether a very early rehabilitation intervention improves the outcomes for people with stroke. As a part of the research program, Julie provides supervision to undergraduate and graduate students. Julie also holds positions at La Trobe University School of Physiotherapy (graduate student supervision) and Austin Health (clinical position in neurological rehabilitation).

Program Manager
Dr. Janice Collier
PhD, MA (Motor Learning), B App Sci (PT)
Janice is a physiotherapist working on management of the very early rehabilitation research program. For AVERT Phase 2 and 3, she has been involved with development of data management systems for the trial - AVERT Online (web based randomisation), Teleforms (paper forms) and Personal Digital Assistants with Pendragon Forms Software. The position involves responsibility for efficient and accurate collection, and feedback to hospital sites on meeting protocols. Janice is responsible for regular reporting of trial safety and efficacy data to a Data Monitoring Committee. Janice co-supervises a number of students. Janice also holds positions at the Transport Accident Commission (Physiotherapy Consultant) and private practice (neurological rehabilitation).

NSRI Data Manager
Ms. Li Chun Quang
G.Dip ComputerSci, G.Dip Social Stats
Li Chun has been involved in the development and update of AVERT Online. AVERT Online is a web based clinical trial randomization and trial management system for AVERT Phase 3. She has also been responsible for designing Case Report Forms using TELEform (Elite version 9®) for AVERT Phase 2. Li Chun is also involved with supporting the Very Early Rehabilitation Program in various aspects of computing technical support.

Program Trial Manager
Ms. Fiona Ellery
B App Sci (Nursing)
Fiona's primary role is trial manager for AVERT Phase 3. In this role she manages all operational matters relating to the study including; creation of study project plan, tracking of timelines and budgets, coordination of study startup activities, management of site identification and site selection process, investigator and study site selection visits and assessments, coordination of study communication, logistics, management of site contracts, case report form design, assistance with preparation of ethics submissions, coordination of and participation in investigator and site initiation meetings and various monitoring activities.

Program Administrative Assistant
Ms. Jan Chamberlain
BSci (Hons)
B. App Sc (Chem), Grad. Dip. Ed., Ad Cert. Hort.
Jan provides administrative support for the AVERT team. She completed a Chemistry degree at Bendigo CAE and a teaching qualification at Hawthorn Institute of Education. She has worked in quality control laboratories in the pharmaceutical area; research laboratories in both the pharmaceutical and medical sectors and taught secondary maths and science. She formalized an interest in horticulture with an advanced certificate in horticulture from Burnley College. Jan spent many years auditing laboratories for compliance with quality and technical standards. This included six months working in the USA. She maintains her interest in horticulture and teaching by working as a sessional teacher at the Royal Botanic Gardens and working at a nursery specializing in indigenous plants.

Program Research Officer
Ms. Dorcas Quah
B App Sci (PT)
Dorcas is a physiotherapist working as a blinded outcome assessor on AVERT Phase 2 and Phase 3. she is conducting follow-up assessments of enrolled stroke patients from Austin Health and St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne at: day 7, day 14, and 3, 6 and 12 months post-stroke. For Phase 3, she is performing assessments of AVERT patients from the Austin Hospital and Royal Melbourne Hospital at 3 and 12 months post-stroke. Dorcas has also completed the Advanced Diploma of Counselling and Family Therapy at the Australian Institute of Family Counselling. Dorcas is on leave from March 2008-2009.

Program research officer
Ms. Vee Lyn Tan
B App Sci (OT)
Vee Lyn is an occupational therapist working as a blinded outcome assessor for Phase 3. She is performing assessments of AVERT patients from the Royal Melbourne Hospital at 3 and 12 months post-stroke. Vee Lyn also holds a senior clinical position at the Royal Melbourne Hospital as runs a private occupational therapy private practice.

Research Assistants
Ms Cecilia Li
BCom/BSci (Melb)
Cecilia is a research assistant for the AVERT team. Her primary role at the NSRI is assisting with AVERT Phase 3 data management, as well as providing general research support. She is currently studying her fourth year of a Bachelor of Commerce (Actuarial Studies) and Science degree at the University of Melbourne.

Research Assistants
Mr Henry Zhao
Henry is a part-time research assistant for the AVERT team. His primary role at the NSRI is assisting with general research support. He is currently studying his fifth year of a Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne. Henry completed the advanced medical science program in 2006/2007 with the AVERT team, with a research project titled: Assessment of the Modified Rankin Scale very early after stroke: Inter-rater reliability.

Data Entry
Ms. Cate Coleman

Program students

Neurologist/Clinical Research Fellow
Professor Thomas Linden
MD, MSc, PhD
Thomas is a specialist in neurology and psychiatry moved here from Gothenburg, Sweden in February 2008. He did his PhD on “Neuropsychiatric consequences in stroke patients” and has a MSc in epidemiology. His previous work has addressed the epidemiology of individual cognitive impairments in stroke patients beyond the acute and sub-acute phase; attention deficit/neglect and its relation to cognitive impairment and rehabilitation; depression; and costs of stroke care in relation to cognitive function. During 2008 he will be working with Julie Bernhardts’ team in the AVERT trial and with David Howells’ group in the PIB/PET-trial.

Research Fellow
Dr. Toby Cumming
PhD, BBSc (Hons)
Toby has a background in psychology, and has a particular interest in cognitive neuropsychology. He is investigating depression and cognitive impairment following stroke, and whether these negative outcomes are influenced by the early mobilisation intervention being trialed in AVERT. Toby is also interested in identifying a workable screening tool for cognitive impairment in stroke patients.

Orthotic Doctorate
Ms. Aileen Ibuki
Aileen is an orthotist and commenced her doctoral degree at the School of Orthotics, La Trobe University in 2006. Her thesis is titled: Tone reducing ankle foot orthoses in the management of spasticity after stroke. She is co-supervised by Julie Bernhardt.

Physiotherapist Austin Health
Ms. Tara Purvis
B App Sci (PT)
Tara commenced her Masters in 2005. Her research project is entitled: Differences in stroke unit care: Melbourne versus Trondheim. The project aims to examine in what way process of care differs between stroke units at Austin Health and St Olavs Hospital in Trondehim, Norway. In 2005, Tara was awarded the F. J O’Rourke Scholarship for support to travel to Norway. Her supervisors are Dominique Cadilhac, Julie Bernhardt and Geoffrey Donnan. Tara is the main investigator for AVERT phase 3 at Austin Health. She is a clinical physiotherapist whose role includes recruiting eligible stroke patients to AVERT, providing early rehabilitation interventions and data submissions.

Masters in Physiotherapy Science, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Ms. Sharon Kramer
Sharon is a physiotherapist from the Netherlands with seven years of experience in stroke rehabilitation. She commenced a coursework Masters in 2006. Her research project is titled: Changes in physical activity in the first month after stroke. The research component is completed in second and final year of the degree. This project started in September 2007 and will be completed in July 2008. She is supervised by Julie Bernhardt.

Undergraduate Student - Bachelor of Applied Science, School of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University
Mr.John Nguyen
John commenced the Honours research project in 2007. The project is completed over 3rd and 4th year of the degree and is titled: Does very early mobilisation after stroke prevent calf stiffness? He is supervised by Janice Collier and Julie Bernhardt.

Undergraduate Student - Bachelor of Applied Science, School of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University
Ms. Karen Tyedin
Karen commenced the Honours research project in 2007. The project is completed over 3rd and 4th year of the degree and is titled: Does very early rehabilitation effect long term quality of life? She is supervised by Julie Bernhardt and Marcus Nicol.

Undergraduate students - Physiotherapy Research Elective, School of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne
Each year, up to seven 4th year (final year) physiotherapy students complete a 4 week research elective at the National Stroke Research Institute. Students are supervised by Janice Collier and Julie Bernhardt.

Drug Trials

Clinical Trial Manager
Mr. Dennis Young

Clinical Trial Coordinators
Ms. Roslyn Kelly
Ms. Sandra Petrolo
Ms. Lisa Walker
Organises the conduction and facilitation of acute clinical stroke trials and secondary prevention trials, and assists with acute stroke trial patients within the National Stroke Research Institute. Liaises with other Austin & Repat Medical Centre departments regarding research and staff education. Involved in ethics committee submissions, budgets, recruitments and follow-up of patients. Keeps database of all A&RMC stroke admissions and responsible for education of staff.

Administrative Assistant
Ms. Susan Cox
Mr. Jeremy Loadman

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Epidemiology

Neurologist and Senior Research Fellow/Acting Head of Epidemiology Division
A/Prof. Helen Dewey
MB BS PhD FRACP FAFRM
Associate Director of the National Stroke Research Institute.
Helen is a neurologist with inpatient and outpatient responsibilities at the Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre. She has received her PhD with her thesis entitled: 'Comparing the costs of stroke subtypes: a cost of illness study'. Her research has addressed the costs of stroke with a particular focus on the costs of post-acute care including the cost of informal care provided by family and friends and 'out of pocket' costs to stroke patients and their family. Helen assists in the running of the North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study and also has a role as a co-investigator in a number of stroke clinical trials.

Neurologist
A/Prof. Richard Macdonell
MBBS, FRACP, FAFRM,
Richard provides clinical support to the North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study. He shares responsibility for diagnosis of patients, both of their clinical subtype of stroke, and of their imaging.

Research Fellow
Mr. Ian Mosley
RN, B.Bus, M.Bus, G.Dip Health Admin., G.Dip Education
Mr Mosley is a Research Fellow with the National Stroke Research Institute and a PhD Candidate with the University of Melbourne . His current research project involves investigating the emergency recognition and management of acute stroke in both the pre-hospital and emergency department settings.

PhD Student
Ms. Zhang Wenwen
MD
A doctor from China. Ms. Zhang has been doing PHD with the University of Melbourne since October 2007. Her current research project focuses on the blood pressure monitoring and control in the TIA and sub-acute stroke patients.

Research Nurses
Ms. Sue Mosley
Ms. Mary Staios
Responsible for recruitment and interview of patients and control subjects. Part of this involves scrutiny of medical records and liaison with health personnel at Melbourne Hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. Their involvement includes participation in acute drug trials, as well as acting as a resource for patients, families and wider community on stroke research.

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Ultrasound

Neurologist/Head of Ultrasound Division
A/Prof. Brian Chambers
Head of Ultrasound Research. Supervision of research projects, particularly those related to extracranial carotid disease and microembolus detection. In patient and out patient clinical responsibilities. Supervision of diagnostic laboratories.

Neurologist/ Research Fellow
Dr. Anne L. Abbott
Began PhD 1998. Running the Asymptomatic Stenosis Embolus Detection Study (ASED). The aim of this study is to see if microemboli detected with transcranial doppler predict stroke or TIA in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis of 60%-99%. Please email if able to suggest possible patients for use in study. Other centres involved are the Box Hill Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital (in Victoria) and John Hunter Hospital (in New South Wales).

Research Fellow
Dr. Chesda Udommongkol
MD
A neurologist from Thailand. He has been doing PhD since March 2006. His research interest is role of transcranial doppler (TCD) in acute stroke management. He is involved in embolic detection by TCD with M-Mode after carotid endarterectomy and stenting.

Ultrasound Technologist
Ms. Heather Cameron
Heather was instrumental in the set up of the inpatient Neurovascular Ultrasound Lab on the Austin campus in 1989 and her work covers acute Neurovascular Ultrasound (Stroke, General Neurology, Neurosurgery and ICU) and also a number of research projects over the years. She is also responsible for the in house training of medical personell, trainee technicians and international medical personell seconded to the Austin Hospital Neurology Dept.

Ultrasound Technologist
Ms. Jo Leech

Trainee Ultrasound Technologist
Mr. Warwick Park

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Neuroimaging

Head of Neuroimaging Division
Prof. Geoffrey Donnan
Director of the National Stroke Research Institute,
Coordinator of Divisions of NSRI and conduct of Divisional funds,
Medical Director/Co Director Research, National Stroke Foundation.

Senior Lecturer/Research Fellow
Dr. Amy Brodtmann
Dr Brodtmann is a neurologist doing post-doctoral research in fMRI. Her research focuses on how the cortex remodels in response to ischaemia (reduces blood supply, or hypoperfusion) and stroke. She is currently investigating the effects on brain activation of decreased brain perfusion (ischaemic stress) associated with carotid artery disease. A separate project is studying how the attentional system of the brain remodels following stroke causing neglect.

Clinical Research Fellow
Dr. Rajinder K Dhamija
MD
Rajinder is Neurologist from New Delhi India . He had his Physician and Neurology Training from PGIMS Rohtak , located in Northen India. His previous experience as Faculty in Lady Hardinge Medical College New Delhi include Stroke Epidemiology in Rural Communities. He is Primarily involved with Stroke Imaging with special emphasis on CT Perfusion in acute Stroke.He is also involved ongoing study "Emergency Recognition and Management of Acute Stroke".

Research Fellow
Dr Henry Ma

Research Assistant
Ms. Kim Ong
MIT, B ComputerSci
Administration of computer system and developing software for research use.

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Public Health

Head of Public Health Division
Dr. Dominique Cadilhac
Dominique Cadilhac has been working with the National Stroke Research Institute since 1998 and has been involved in stroke research since 1994. Dominique has a nursing background, as well as a Master of Public Health and PhD. Dominique is responsible for the Public Health division work program. Her main focus of research has been health services evaluation related to the quality of acute care, patient and carer burden related to stroke, prevention of cardiovascular and chronic disease and economic evaluation in relation to optimal care pathways and interventions. Current projects include evaluating stroke care in Victorian and NSW hospitals; project managing the new Australian Stroke Registry; and determining the costs of lost production associated with a variety of risk factors for VicHealth. She is on the management and steering committees for a number of randomised controlled trials and on National Advisory Committees for stroke and cardiovascular disease prevention programs and hospital stroke audits. She also makes regular contributions to health policy in stroke and clinical guidelines.

Biostatistician
Ms. Dora Pearce
Grad Dip Epidemiology, Master of Information Technology by Research
Dora provides bio-statistical support to the investigating team and research students.

Research Officer
Ms. Monique Killkenny
B Appl Sci (MRA), G Dip (Epidemiol & Biostats), MPH (Research)
Monique has been involved in research since 1989 working on various epidemiological and public health studies. As a member of the Public Health Division, Monique provides support to the research fellows and principal investigators conducting research in this Division. This includes undertaking data management duties; performing statistical analyses; writing or contributing to study reports, publications or presentations and undertaking literature reviews. In addition, she assists with the preparation of grants and ethics submissions, as required. Monique works two days per week. Current projects include analysing data for the National Acute Audit and the evaluation of the Blood Pressure Awareness Program funded through the National Stroke Foundation.

Masters of Physiotherapy, School of University of Melbourne
Ms. Tara Sharpley
Tara is a clinical physiotherapist working with AVERT, and undertaking her Masters in Science by Research. She commenced her studies in September 2005, and her project is entitled 'Determining Differences in Stroke Unit Care: Melbourne versus Trondheim'. The project aims to examine in what way processes of care differs between stroke units at Austin Health and St Olavs Hospital in Trondheim, Norway (Gold standard care). Using a retrospective history audit and semi-structured staff interviews, both qualitative and process of care information from patients in both countries will be obtained to determine how stroke care delivery differs between sites. We aim to identify factors that might be associated with excellent stroke outcome, particularly with relation to early rehabilitation practices, that may be used to help improve care in existing stroke units or inform the development of new stroke units.

Research Assistant
Ms Karen Moss
BBSc
Karen has just completed her Honours degree in Behavioural Science with a major in Anthropology. She is currently working as a part-time research assistant on the Victorian Stroke Care Strategy evaluation with Dominique Cadilhac. This involves data entry and analysis of qualitative interviews conducted with health care clinicians at seven different hospital networks (acute and subacute) throughout Victoria. Karen will also work on the NSW rural stroke project evaluation in 2009.

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Neurorehabilitation and Recovery

Head of Neurorehabilitation Division and Recovery,
Principal Research Fellow and adjunct Professor in Occupational Therapy
Prof. Leeanne Carey
BAppSc(OT), PhD
Professor Carey is an occupational therapist with extensive experience in stroke rehabilitation and research. She is a recipient of a prestigious NHMRC Career Development Award and chief investigator of studies investigating mechanisms of recovery in motor and somatosensory systems post-stroke and investigation of the effectiveness of sensory retraining post-stroke. The research program also involves development of quantitative measures of sensation and investigation of the relationship between sensory loss and pinch grip post-stroke. Prof Carey is responsible for supervision of PhD, Masters and honours research students.

Division staff

Research Occupational Therapists
Ms. Mary Mastos
BOT
Mary has worked as an occupational therapist for 10 years in neurological rehabilitation, community health and aged care as well as undertaken the role of Research Therapist for the past 2 years. In this role Mary is involved in recruiting and assessing stroke clients for the SENSe and IN_Touch studies. Mary also runs a solo Private Practice - providing community based occupational therapy rehabilitation and domiciliary services to clients with varying conditions. She is currently undertaking a research project as part of the OT Masters by coursework program based at La Trobe University. The research is titled: Occupational performance - based outcomes associated with sensory retraining post stroke and is supervised by Leeanne Carey.

Data Analysts
Mr. Matt Harvey
Matt comes from a background in computing and is a research assistant at the Brain Research Institute. Matt is involved with analysis of neuroimaging data and supports aspects of the IN_Touch project related to imaging.

A/Prof. Sheila Crewther
Dr Crewther is a Reader and Associate Professor in the School of Psychological Science at La Trobe University with professional qualifications in psychology, neuroscience, education and optometry. Professor Crewther has published well over 100 peer reviewed papers in areas of behavioural and cognitive neuroscience and has research interests in aimed at understanding the neuroscience of information processing and how to optimize the individual’s environment for most efficient learning. Recent collaboration has lead to co-supervision of 2 PhD students in Neuropsychology. Focus for these studies will be on connectivity of sensory and attentional systems in recovery of touch sensation post-stroke and role of stress in rehabilitation and recovery from stroke. We will also conduct meta-analysis of factors affecting sensory recovery post-stroke in animal and human studies.

Data Entry
Mr. David Carey
Casual research assistant.

Division students

Research Fellows
Ms. Ettie Ben - Shabat
MAPT (Neurological physiotherapy), BSc (PT)
Ettie is a physiotherapist who is using functional MRI to investigate brain activation during limb position tasks (proprioception). This is part of her PhD project (LaTrobe University) and involves studying healthy as well as stroke affected individuals. Ettie is supervised by Leeanne Carey, Thomas Matyas and Amy Brodtmann.

Ms. Jannette Blennerhassett
Jannette is a physiotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience in neurology, and is currently the senior clinician at Austin Health, Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre. Her interest in research was driven by the clinical need to understand mechanisms that contribute to altered movement ability in order to deliver effective treatment and improve patient outcome. Jannette is currently completing a PhD that explores the contribution of impaired somatosensory discrimination upon altered grip force control following stroke. Her supervisors are Professor Leeanne Carey and Associate Professor Thomas Matyas from La Trobe University. The findings so far highlight that clinicians need to integrate somatosensory feedback arising from the digit tips when training people with stroke how to grip and lift objects in daily tasks.

Ms. Melinda Randall
Melinda is a paediatric occupational therapist who has worked with children with neurological impairment at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne since 1985. She has an interest in evaluating therapeutic outcomes in children with cerebral palsy and is co-author of The Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function. Melinda has a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Occupational Therapy and is currently completing her PhD on “Modification and further development of the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function”. Melinda is supervised by Leeanne Carey and Christine Imms.

Mr. Brian Hoare
Since graduating from La Trobe University in 1999, Brian has worked in paediatric occupational therapy at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton. He is currently working full time in a project position for the Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service and is enrolled part time in a PhD (Occupational Therapy) at La Trobe University. His research is evaluating the effects of occupational therapy and modified constraint-induced movement therapy following upper limb injections of Botulinum toxin-A in young children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Brian’s research is supervised by Leeanne Carey and Christine Imms.

Ms. Johanne Walker
Jo is an experienced occupational therapist with expertise in neurological rehabilitation. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Occupational Therapy postgraduate coursework program. Jo is investigating individual patient characteristics that predict favourable outcomes following a gerneralised somatosensory discrimination training program in the hand after stroke and is supervised by Prof Carey.

Ms. Sara Hewish
BOT
Sara is an experienced occupational therapist with expertise in neurological rehabilitation, research and childhood stroke. Sara is currently involved in assessing clients for the SENSe study and has a clinical position at the Royal Children’s Hospital. She has recently enrolled in her Clinical Doctorate.

PhD students
Ms. Kate Noonan
(Clinical Doctorate in Neuropsychology, LaTrobe University
Thesis title: Factors impacting on neural plasticity and recovery after stroke (Clinical Doctorate program, commenced 2007, FT, co-supervisor).

Ms. Louise Bannister
Clinical Doctorate in Neuropsychology, LaTrobe University
Connectivity in recovery of touch sensation post-stroke (FT, research Clinical Doctorate program, commenced 2007).

Honours student
Ms. Rebecca Avery
School of Occupational Therapy, LaTrobe University.
Thesis title: Is the Hand Function Survey reliable and responsive to change during stroke rehabilitation? (FT, commenced 2007).

Collaborating Researchers and Centres

Dr. David Abbott
Dr Abbott is a Principal Research Scientist at the Brain Research Institute. He is a physicist with extensive experience in MR data analysis. Dr Abbott is involved in the studies imaging motor and sensory recovery after stroke.

A/Prof. Thomas Matyas
A/Prof Matyas is a Reader in the School of Psychological Sciences, LaTrobe University. A/Prof Matyas has expertise in experimental psychology, statistics and approaches to neurological rehabilitation. He is involved in the studies of sensory assessment and training, especially the SENSe study . A/Prof Matyas co-supervisors two PhD students within the Division.

Prof. Aina Puce
Professor Puce is the Director of Neuroimaging, Centre for Advanced Imaging, West Virgina, USA. Prof Puce currently holds an adjunct appointment at the NSRI and has expertise in neuroimaging and sensory systems. Prof Puce is involved in the investigation of brain adaptation associated with sensory recovery.

Prof. Rudiger Seitz
Professor Seitz, Director of Neurology and Neuroimaging, Düsseldorf University, Germany, is an international expert on imaging recovery post-stroke and the somatosensory system. Prof Seitz is involved in the investigation of brain adaptation associated with sensory recovery.

Prof. Derick Wade
Professor Wade is an internationally-renowned neurologist with expertise in stroke rehabilitation, randomized controlled trials and measurement of stroke outcome. He is director of the Centre for Enablement, UK and editor of Clinical Rehabilitation. He collaborates on the project titled “Effectiveness of training somatosensation in the hand after stroke: a randomized controlled trial” (2002-2005).

A/Prof. Richard Macdonell
A/Prof Macdonell is a neurologist, Deputy Director of Neurology and Director of Neurophysiology, Austin Health. He has expertise in stroke rehabilitation and the neurophysiology of sensory processing post-stroke. A/Prof Macdonell is involved in the SENSe study, particularly in relation to intellectual contribution and classification of stroke type.

A/Prof Gary Egan
A/Prof Egan is a Principal Research Fellow at the Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine. He is a MR Physicist with extensive experience in MR design and analysis and is involved in the studies imaging motor and sensory recovery after stroke.

Dr. Amy Brodtmann
Dr Brodtmann is a neurologist doing post-doctoral research in fMRI. Her research focuses on how the cortex remodels in response to ischaemia (reduces blood supply, or hypoperfusion) and stroke. Dr Brodtmann is a co-supervisor of the study investigating brain activation in stroke patients with loss of limb position sense.

Ms. Christine Imms
Ms Imms is a lecturer in the School of Occupational Therapy at La Trobe University and Senior Research Occupational Therapist at the Royal Children’s Hospital & Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne. She is involved in a number of research projects exploring interventions that promote upper limb performance in children with acquired or congenital neurological disorders. Christine co-supervises two PhD students within the Division.

A/Prof. Julie Bernhardt
A/Prof Bernhardt is a physiotherapist with extensive experience in stroke rehabilitation and has been involved in the studies of motor recovery after stroke.

Ms. Sandy LeBlanc
BOT (Honours)
Sandy is an occupational therapist who qualified with honours. Sandy has been involved in recruiting and training stroke clients for both the IN_Touch and SENSe projects over the past 18 months. She has also assisted with the co-ordination of these projects and with the development of the functional Tactual Object Recognition Test. Sandy has recently moved overseas to work but will maintain links with the project.

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Basic Science

Senior scientist/Head of Basic Science Division
Dr. David Howells
Leads Basic Science Division. Developing research programs to study the mechanisms of neural injury and regeneration. Responsible for supervision of PhD and Hon. Students. Runs the Department of Neurology Neuroscience Program, and Visiting Neuroscience Professor Program.

Research Fellows
Dr. Peter Batchelor
Is involved in the study of the role of macrophages and microglia in neural regeneration after injury.

Dr Jenny Favaloro
Is involved in neuronal gene expression after injury.

Dr Michelle Porritt
Is involved in the study of post stroke epilepsy and neuronal regeneration after injury.

Dr John Williams

Clinical Research Fellow
Mr. Alvaro Cervera

Ph.D. Students
Ms. Tori O’Collins
Ms. Sarah Rewell
Ms. Candace Loy
Ms. Taryn Wills
Ms. Anna Antonic
Ms. Emily Sena

Research Assistants
Ms. Susan Cox
Mr. Steven Sastra
Ms. Amy Jeffries
Ms. Kate Sideon
Ms. Elena Aleksoska
Ms. Nicole Kerr
Mr. Amy Jeffreys
Mr. Melissa Katz

Senior Professorial Researcher
Mr. John Morser

Research Officer
Ms. Bianca Jupp

Administrative Assistant
Ms. Kate Shepherd

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Neurosciences Trials Australia (NTA)

NTA Network Director and Chief Executive
Dr. Peter Keller
Peter heads up NTA and is the main link between the Management Board and the organisation. He is responsible for the creation, strategic direction and ultimate success of the platform. His role covers all aspects of management planning and operations, from business development, marketing, budgeting and financial control, project management and oversight, to systems development.

NTA Project Manager
Ms. Fiona Ellery
Fiona's primary role is project manager for AVERT. In this role she manages all operational matters relating to the study including; creation of study project plan, tracking of timelines and budgets, coordination of study startup activities, management of site identification and site selection process, investigator and study site selection visits and assessments, coordination of study communication, coordination of study logistics, management of site contracts, CRF and form design review, assistance with preparation of ethics submissions, coordination of and participation in investigator and site initiation meetings, various monitoring activities.

Administrative Officer
Ms. Anita Thompson
Anita's primary role is to provide administrative support for the operation of NTA and direct assistance for the Network Manager. She organizes and act as minute secretary for the NTA Management Board meetings and various teleconferences.

Project Manager
Ms. Jennifer Coleman
Jennifer’s primary role is project manager for the Phase II Pepgen MS Study. In this role she manages all operational matters relating to the study including; creation of study project plan, tracking of timelines and budgets, coordination of study start-up activities, management of site identification and site selection process, investigator and study site selection visits and assessments, coordination of study communication, coordination of study logistics, management of site contracts, CRF and form design review, assistance with preparation of ethics submissions, coordination of and participation in investigator and site initiation meetings, various monitoring activities.

Clinical Research Associate/Project Managers
Ms. Sue Bates
Sue is responsible for overall project management of various clinical studies, including monitoring, team co-ordination and project planning functions.

Mr. Nicolas Tiliacos

Senior Clinical Research Associate
Ms. Jacqui Houston
RN, BN, Grad. Dip. Drug Development
Jacqui’s primary role is monitoring and support for various clinical studies ensuring adherence to local and ICH guidelines. Her role includes coordination of study start-up activities, coordination of study communication, coordination of study logistics, management of site contracts, study protocol design and review, assistance with preparation of ethics submissions, coordination of and participation in investigator and site initiation meetings as well as various monitoring activities. A secondary role is in the coordination and support for the disease specialty groups of movement disorder and migraine.

Senior Clinical Research Associate (Sydney)
Ms. Angela James
As a Senior CRA Angela is primarily involved in the monitoring and support for various clinical studies ensuring adherence to local and ICH guidelines. Her role includes project management liaison and support.

Project Officer
Ms. Belinda Bardsley