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By collaborating with universities, research institutes and hospitals, our senior researchers supervise students undertaking original research. There aren't many things we love more than hearing their fresh ideas!
2019-2020 projects
Students who are supported by scholarships are shown with an asterisk, and Lifeblood supervisors are shown in bold.
| Student name | Project title | Degree | Institution | Supervisors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faheed Alkhureeb | Coursework Masters Research Placement | Master of Science | Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology | Dr John Paul Tung, Prof Robert Flower |
| Timothy An* | Occult Hepatitis C Infection: Is There a Risk to Transfusion Safety? | MPhil | University of Queensland | Prof Robert Flower, Dr Helen Faddy, Dr Melinda Dean |
| Isabella Baines (completed) | Their lives in your veins: How the use of affect and memory could bolster the loyalty of blood donors | BPschSchi (Honours) | The University of Queensland | Prof Barbara Masser |
| Joshua Bates* (completed) | A comparison of cell-free DNA extraction kits as suitable pre-analytical methods for non-invasive prenatal blood group genotyping | Vacation Research Student Undergraduate | Queensland University of Technology | Helen O'Brien, Prof Catherine Hyland, Prof Robert Flower Christine Knauth |
| Jason Bouwmeester | Ethnic diversity and English speaking Western Countries’ blood services | Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Arts Swinburne University of Technology | Dr Luke Gahan, Dr Aisling Bailey |
| Liam Byrne | Fluid resuscitation during sepsis: Effects upon the microcirculation | PhD | Australian National University | Dr John Paul Tung, Prof John Fraser, Prof Frank van Haren |
| Chiara Carnaveli* | Arbovirus transmission and Climate Change | Global Change Scholar Program | University of Queensland | Dr Elvina Viennet |
| Cassandra Chapman* | Toward a Triadic Understanding of Charitable Giving: How Donors, Beneficiaries, Fundraisers, and Social Contexts Influence Donation Decisions | PhD | The University of Queensland | Prof Winnifred Louis, Prof Barbara Masser |
| Anne-Marie Christensen | Extracellular traps and TRALI: more than just neutrophils | PhD | Queensland University of Technology | Prof Robert Flower, Dr Melinda Dean, Dr John Paul Tung, Prof Damien Harkin |
| Roberta Dumbrava | Serum Eye Drop Manufacture and Usage in Australia | Doctor of Medicine | University of Western Australia | Dr Joanne Tan, Dr Peter Bentley |
| Jared Edgeworth | Responding to Crisis: How did the impact on blood donations in Australia during the Natural Disasters of 2019 differ from Covid-19 Pandemic? | Placement | Queensland University of Technology | Dr Elvina Viennet, Dr Eileen Roulis, Prof Robert Flower |
| Abby Edwards (completed) | The role of emotions in the impact of voluntary reciprocal altruism and the question-behaviour effect on blood donation willingness and behaviour. | BPsychSci (Honours) | University of Queensland | Prof Barbara Masser |
| Serena Ekman* | Applying biotechnology to improve management of alloimmunisation to red cell antigens | PhD | University of Queensland | Prof Catherine Hyland, Prof Robert Flower, Dr Xuan Bui, Dr Martina Jones, Dr Stephen Mahler |
| Nadeeshani Maheshika Geekiyanage* (completed) | Numerical investigation of recoverability of morphological and deformability changes of stored red blood cells. | PhD | Queensland University of Technology PhD | Prof YuanTong Gu, Prof Robert Flower, Dr Emilie Sauret, and Dr Suvash Saha |
| Wilbert Gonzales | Techniques for noninvasive glucose monitoring and blood cell counting | PhD | University of Queensland - Electromagnetic Innovations Group, School of IT & Electrical Engineering | Prof Amin Abbosh, Dr Ahmed Toaha Mobashsher, Dr Xuan Bui, Prof Robert Flower |
| Sarah Green (nee Raynel)* | Characterisation of biological response modifiers (BRMs) in transfusible platelet products | PhD | University of Technology Sydney | Dr Lacey Johnson, Dr Matthew Padula |
| Ji Hui Hwang* | Investigating the role of extracellular vesicles in blood components and their impact on coagulation | PhD | Queensland University of Technology | Dr John Paul Tung, Prof Robert Flower, Dr Natalie Pechiniuk, Prof Damien Harkin |
| Sudhir Jadhao* | Integrated bioinformatics solution to improve compatibility testing for blood transfusion | PhD | Queensland University of Technology, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences (IHBI) | Dr Shivashankar H Nagaraj A/Prof Catherine Hyland, Prof Robert Flower, Dr Elizna Schoeman, Dr Eileen Roulis |
| Yu Ji* | Determine the clinical significance of Red Cell Antibodies | PhD | Queensland University of Technology | Prof YuanTong Gu, Dr Emilie Sauret, Dr Suvash Saha, Dr Melinda Dean, Prof Robert Flower |
| Michael Lam* | The Effectiveness of Combining Warm Glow and Altruistic Appeals in Retaining First Time Blood Donors | PhD | The University of Queensland | Prof Barbara Masser |
| Pearl Lei* (completed) | Does blood donation frequency influence the release of biological response modifiers from donated red cells during storage? | Summer Research Scholarship | University of Sydney | Dr Joanne Tan, Dr Denese Marks |
| Symsia Long | Investigation of unresolved weak D phenotypes in the donor population | Honours | University of Sunshine Coast | Prof Catherine Hyland, Prof Robert Flower, Dr Melinda Dean, Dr Helen Faddy |
| Eunike McGowan* | Applying biotechnology to improve management of alloimmunisation to red cell antigens | PhD | University of Queensland | Prof Robert Flower, Prof Catherine Hyland, Dr Xuan Bui, Dr Martina Jones, Dr Stephen Mahler |
| Elissa Millford | Effects of commonly used and emerging resuscitation fluids on end organ function in severe trauma | PhD | University of Queensland | Dr John Paul Tung, Prof Michael Reade |
| Maree Perry* | Blood: Thoughts, feelings or beliefs Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples have about blood, blood donation or blood transfusion. | PhD | Queensland University of Technology | A/Prof Debbie Duthie, Prof Katherine White, Prof Robert Flower and Prof Catherine Hyland. |
| Hien Phan* | Genomic approaches for investigating viral infections in blood donors | PhD | Queensland University of Technology | Prof Kirsten Spann, Prof Robert Flower, Dr Helen Faddy, Dr Eileen Roulis |
| Agus Priyono (completed) | Age at the time of first blood donation and future donation pattern of blood donors in Australia | Master of Public Health (HDR) | Macquarie University | Dr Surendra Karki, Dr Amalie Dyda |
| Wei Qian* | Comparison of epidemiological models for predicting Ross River virus disease in Queensland, Australia | PhD | University of Queensland | Dr Elvina Viennet, A/Prof David Harley, A/Prof Katie Glass |
| Filip Radenkovic* | Development of Antibodies against Human Neutrophil Antigens (HNA) | PhD | University of Queensland - AIBN | Dr John Paul Tung, Prof Robert Flower, Dr Xuan Bui, Dr Martina Jones, Dr Stephen Mahler |
| Md Morshadur Rahman* | Healthy Donor Effect- improving analytical methods | PhD | University of Technology Sydney | Dr Surendra Karki, Prof Andrew Hayen |
| Lanny Ramadi (withdrawn) | Towards improved transfusion practice for patients with chronic transfusion requirements in Australia: Genotyping and Allele Matching | PhD | Queensland University of Technology | Prof Louise Hafner, Dr Eileen Roulis, Dr Elizna Schoeman, Prof Robert Flower, A/Prof Catherine Hyland |
| Laura Rey Gomez (completed) | The role of glycans in clearance of platelet microparticles. | Honours | University of Sydney | Dr Dianne van der Wal, A/Prof Denese Marks |
| Katelyn Richards* | An analysis of systems that modify RBC antigens and their role in RBC maturation, lifespan and disease resistance. | PhD | University of Queensland, AIBN | Prof Robert Flower, Dr Melinda Dean, Dr Xuan Bui, Prof Steven Mahler, A/Prof Benjamin Schulz, Dr Cassandra Pegg |
| Michelle Roets* | Intraoperative cell salvage as an alternative to allogeneic (donated) blood transfusion: An evaluation of the immune response profile | PhD | University of Queensland | Dr Melinda Dean, A prof David Sturgess, A/Prof Louisa Gordon, A/Prof Kerstin Wyssusek, Prof Andre Van Zundert |
| Gabriella Simonova* (completed) | Developing laboratory models to help translate findings from the sheep model to the clinical setting | PhD | University of Queensland | Prof Robert Flower, Dr Melinda Dean, Dr John Paul Tung, Prof Michael Reade |
| Sandra Sowah* | Identifying novel red blood cell targets as a basis for development of biopharmaceuticals for treatment of infectious diseases | PhD | University of Queensland, AIBN | Prof Robert Flower, Dr Melinda Dean, Dr Xuan Bui, Prof Steven Mahler, Dr Martina Jones |
| Amanda Thijsen | Strengthening the use of research in blood donor management | PhD | The University of Sydney | Prof Barbara Masser, A./Prof Tanya Davison, Dr Anna Williamson |
| Laura Thomas | Characteristics of donors to Lifeblood Milk | M.Epi | University of Melbourne | Dr Laura Klein, Dr Surendra Karki, Prof Dallas English |
| Lauren Waters* | Investigating novel ways to improve the safety and quality of cryopreserved platelet components | PhD | University of Technology Sydney | Dr Lacey Johnson, Dr Matthew Padula |
| Timothy White | Estimation of the epidemic potential of chikungunya virus in Australia | Master’s degree | Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences | Dr Elvina Viennet, Dr Francesca Frentiu |
| Ben Wood* | Examination of the impact of refrigeration and cryopreservation on the non-haemostatic functions of stored platelets | PhD | University of Technology Sydney | Dr Lacey Johnson, Dr Matthew Padula |
Student researchers
Part of helping Australians means planning for a bright future.
When it comes to training the next generation of researchers, our Research team is eager to play their part. With our decades of experience in a range of things from blood to microbiota, it only makes sense to pass that knowledge on to the next generation (along with some tips and tricks of the trade).
Some of our senior staff act as mentors for students who are studying science, technology, engineering and maths (often known as STEM), and to international students.
Research Director Prof David O. Irving says it best, “We are trying to encourage some of the brightest emerging researchers to train in research relevant to the blood sector. It helps to strengthen our collaborations with universities, ultimately makes us more competitive, but most of all it’s a great pleasure to see these bright young scientists join our team.”
Ashish Shrestha
One of our research students, Ashish Shrestha, came to us from Nepal while he was working on his PhD supported by the University of Queensland International Scholarship.
During his final year of research, he was picked for I TRY IT, a global training program developed by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Transfusion-Transmitted Infectious Disease (TTID) Working Party. The aim is to teach young researchers to develop, review and report on research projects in transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases. Ashish was enthusiastic about his experience.
“We had an opportunity to learn from experts from the US, Germany and South Africa. The program included webinars and face to face meetings at ISBT regional conferences in London and Bali.”
“I believe I have chosen the right place to get involved in research. Lifeblood is an amazing place to explore ideas. With the availability of experts, and friendly and co-operative staff, it’s certainly an ideal place to learn and develop your ideas and skills.”
Htet Htet Aung and Ben Wood
After a year of practical training at Lifeblood to complete their university degrees, Htet Htet Aung and Ben Wood have stepped up and joined the team as full-time employees.
“In my country the education system is not really advanced, and I realised that in Australia I could have more opportunities and be quickly independent,” she said.
Since arriving in Australia from Myanmar, Htet Htet has completed a Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) at Queensland University of Technology. In her final year, she honed her research skills with Dr John Paul Tung in Lifeblood’s Queensland laboratories. Htet Htet’s research project examined how the storage of red blood cells can lead to changes in their clot-forming ability.
“I like that [Lifeblood] is supportive, collaborative and a really nice environment”.
Ben Wood spent 2015 completing the practical side of his degree with Dr Lacey Johnson in Sydney, exploring changes in platelets as a result of cold storage, finishing his Master of Science (Honours) from the University of Technology, Sydney. He explains his choice to pursue research at Lifeblood, “The work we do here has a direct application. It’s good to have that goal right there in front of you.”
After several years as a research assistant with LIfeblood, Ben has now started research for his PhD within our Sydney Research team.
And Ben’s culinary talents have been an unexpected asset to the Sydney team!
Post graduates
Interested in pursuing post graduate studies with us? Tell us about yourself and your interests.
