College of Medicine & Dentistry
Semagn Abate
- Doctor of Philosophy (Health)
- semagn.abate@my.jcu.edu.au
Joseph Kamara
- Senior Lecturer Disaster Health and Humanitarian Assistance
- joseph.kamara@jcu.edu.au
Eric Kalo
- Lecturer Medical Education
- eric.kalo@jcu.edu.au
Erin Waters
- JCU Associate Professor
- erin.waters@jcu.edu.au
Dennis Asante
- Research Fellow
- dennis.asante@jcu.edu.au
Kannan Maharajan
- Associate Professor, Pharmacy
- kannan.maharajan@jcu.edu.au
Fahmida Begum Mina
- Doctor of Philosophy (Medical, Molecular and Veterinary Sciences)
- fahmidabegum.mina@my.jcu.edu.au
Kootsy Canuto
- Principal Research Fellow, Indigenous Men's Health Promotion
- kootsy.canuto@jcu.edu.au
Lynsey Brown
- Adjunct Senior Lecturer
- lynsey.brown@jcu.edu.au
Ali Isin
- Adjunct Senior Research Fellow
- ali.isin@jcu.edu.au
Strengthening and enhancing the utility of a neuropsychological tool for dementia in First Nations People
This study will strengthen and enhance the utility of the KICA tool, enabling earlier and more effective diagnosis of dementia and mild neurocognitive disorder in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Firstly, we will review and revise the current KICA tool though collaborative co-design with Elders and clinicians, and research teams who have adapted the KICA in other settings. Next, we will revise and validate a revised KICA tool with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 45 years and above, sampled from 4 different sites across Australia. Lastly, we will co-design training packages and facilitate translation of the revised KICA into policy and practice.
Characterisation of avian circovirus protein complexes: A crucial step in tackling fatal viral infection in birds
This project aims to better understand how the beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is assembled. The virus affects Australian native birds, which are currently endangered or critically endangered and has the potential to disrupt native ecosystems. By using interdisciplinary research, this project will generate fundamental knowledge by which BFDV protein complexes are formed. The intended outcomes of the project include the identification of key binding interfaces involved in viral formation processes. This information intends to guide cost-effective delivery of potential anti-viral options or vaccines for endangered Australian native parrots, and for use as a model to target other pathogenic DNA viruses of interest.
Evaluation of a novel model of dermatology outpatient care, designed to enhance services to underserved regional and rural areas. (Old ID 27133)
This project will pilot a novel model of specialist outpatient care in dermatology. In this model, patients referred for a specialist dermatology opinion at Townsville University Hospital will be seen in a satellite clinic, by a GP with a special interest (GPSI) in dermatology. The GPSI will provide specialist dermatology services with support from a remotely located dermatologist, via two telemedicine platforms: A) Store-and-forward telemedicine (SAFT) platform – to transfer information to the remotely-located specialist (asynchronous); B) Video-link Case conferencing between the specialist and the GPSI (real-time, synchronous)
Economic Assessment of disability models of care in remote communities (Old ID 27272)
The project is a two-year study to conduct a health economic assessment comparing three service delivery models for allied health in Northern Australia. The models are fly-in fly-out service, established allied health professional services, and student-implemented services. The sites where the study will be conducted are Weipa, Katherine, Galiwinku and Nhulunbuy. The student implemented model (Nhulunbuy, Weipa) will be the only new service to be provided. Data on number of occasions of service and costs associated with the service delivery will be assessed across all models of care. The student-assisted model will allow for some additional data to be collected- quality of life and community engagement.
Outcomes of SGLT-2 Inhibitor induced Euglycaemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis in North Queensland Intensive Care Units: a Retrospective Cohort Study
This study will examine all ICU outcomes, including but not limited to; mortality, length of stay, use of ventilator, pertaining to SGLT-2 inhibitor induced euglycaemic ketoacidosis over a period of 8 years at the nominated study sites. A secondary aim will be to compare these findings to ICU outcomes of diabetic ketoacidosis patients, sex/age/co-morbidity matched. The data will be analysed to primarily determine differences between both groups, with the aim to develop an understanding of the unique natural history and risk factors of euglycaemic ketoacidosis.
Development of bivalent degraders targeting Aurora kinase A for the treatment of polycystic kidney disease (Old ID 31137)
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is the most common, potentially fatal, monogenic disease. It is characterised by hyperproliferative formation of fluid-filled cysts from renal epithelia, which progressively ablate healthy renal tissue requiring dialysis or renal transplant to prevent death. It affects 1 in 500-1000 Australians and makes up 5% of end stage renal disease patients. The only approved therapy is a drug called tolvaptan, which inhibits the vasopressin receptor, thereby treating a symptom. Unsurprisingly, tolvaptan has only modest benefits, increasing patient lifespan by ~2.6 years at a cost of US$744K per quality-of-life-year gained. The drug has considerable side effects, including the potential for liver toxicity, with a borderline cost-benefit-risk profile. Consequently, ~24% patients discontinue use. Recently, a Phase II/III trial of Sanofi’s heralded breakthrough therapy, venglustat, was halted due to failure to prevent cyst growth. Rapamycin has also failed in clinical trials previously. As such, any therapeutic treatment that could halt/slow disease progression would be paradigm-shifting to meet this unmet need. We have shown that ADPKD can be halted by genetic ablation of Aurora kinase A (AURKA). Thus, AURKA is a key driver of this disease. We have now developed a small molecule that potently degrades AURKA at low nanomolar levels. This targeted protein degrader (TPD), which we call TPD100, is on the precipice of a significant value inflexion point that will be realized through the combination of its current in vitro cell-based and in vivo potency, combined with a future strong intellectual property position, and evidence of efficacy and safety in ADPKD animal models. This grant will support the development of a novel and patent-protected TPD that is safe and efficacious in ADPKD animal models with once-weekly subcutaneous dosing, representing a very attractive investment package as we progress towards a human ADPKD therapy.
Megalithic connections: Investigation and Digital Conservation of imperilled cultural heritage in Laos and India (Old ID 27791)
This interdisciplinary project aims to explore the cultural connections between the geographically disparate megalithic cultures of Laos and India and to create an enduring digital record of these threatened cultural assets. Using archaeological science and pioneering technologies the project will create new knowledge, museum exhibitions, strengthening cultural relations and public diplomacy. The research will advance archaeological knowledge, heritage management processes and lead to economic, social and cultural benefit in these regions. With an increasing awareness of the need to protect and conserve global cultural assets, there is an opportunity for Australia to take a lead in developing innovative technological solutions.
Development and Evaluation of Lived Experience Peer Support Intervention for Mental Health Service Users in Primary Care
2 aspects to this project including a primary care co-design phase and then an intervention phase, with the overall goal of hosting peer support workers in primary care to provide mental health support. Lived experience peer support has been used in many mental healthcare contexts, but not in primary care. Peers walk alongside consumers to improve their self-efficacy and personal recovery. Peer support will improve access, engagement and support for people with mental ill-health in primary care.
Suspected Pulmonary Embolism Exclusion with D-dimers in Emergency Departments (SPEED-ED)
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is defined as obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches, most often by blood clot circulating from a distant site. Acute PE is common, potentially fatal and is associated with a major global burden of disease. predicted to increase in an ageing society Global hospital admission rates have also increased in recent years. The clinical presentation of PE is non-specific due to an overlap of clinical features with other conditions and can vary from asymptomatic to sudden death, meaning the diagnosis is both challenging to make, and important. This has resulted in the development of clinical decision rules (CDRs) and algorithms to aid the diagnostic process and minimise practice variation. These rules employ a combination of clinical probability assessment, laboratory plasma D-dimer measurement and imaging modalities like Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) or Ventilation-Perfusion(V/Q) scan. Modified Wells’ score,
Revised Geneva Score, Pulmonary Embolism Rule out Criteria (PERC) and Age-adjusted D-dimer threshold are the major validated CDRs in current clinical use that aim to improve consistency and minimise variation.
Leveraging NQ telehealth experience for contextually-informed process guidelines to optimise health service access, quality and safety in rural and remote Australia
Use of telehealth in north Queensland has evolved early and rapidly in response to the health service needs of a culturally diverse population spread over a large area. This project maps knowledge about existing telehealth usage, examines strategies for safe and high quality use, including cultural acceptability and co-develops guidelines for health care providers and consumers for the optimal usage of telehealth across north Queensland. This is likely to be applicable across other RRR areas.
Start Date:
01 Jan 2015
End Date:
01 Jan 2016
Start Date:
01 Jan 2022
Start Date:
01 Jan 1996
End Date:
01 Jan 2013
Start Date:
01 Jan 2009
End Date:
01 Jan 2009
Start Date:
01 Jan 1999
End Date:
01 Jan 1999