Staff updates
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Update feat. Cassidy
Cassidy Du Berry, Respiratory Scientist - Melbourne
Cassidy is a respiratory scientist at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and holds an honorary appointment with The Royal Children’s Hospital. Originally from Ireland, he graduated from Technological University Dublin with a BSc (Hons) in Clinical Measurement Science choosing to major in respiratory technology. Currently he is enrolled in an online masters in Clinical Trials with The University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
In addition to his clinical duties at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Cassidy is responsible for co-ordinating, conducting and analysing pulmonary function tests for respiratory focused paediatric research studies and clinical trials. Currently he is involved in research investigating the relationship between CFTR modulator use and exercise outcomes in Cystic Fibrosis, respiratory complications of childhood cancer and respiratory implications of moderate to late premature birth.
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Update feat. Rebecca
Rebecca Langford , Program Manager, Cystic Fibrosis Research - AREST CF Perth
Rebecca graduated from Curtin University in Perth with a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy). She worked as a Physiotherapist for seven years before moving across to research.
Rebecca started in the AREST CF team in early 2019 as a Project Officer and is now the Program Manager - Cystic Fibrosis Research at Telethon Kids based in Perth.
Rebecca is passionate about ensuring research is completed to high quality and safety standards and loves involving consumers in research. She is exciting by pursuing new research projects that have a big impact on the lives of people living with CF.
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Update feat. Louise
Louise King, Research Coordinator, Respiratory Diseases - AREST CF Melbourne
Louise graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Exercise Science) from Australian Catholic University, followed by a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) from Swinburne University of Technology. During her second degree, Louise underwent an Industry Based Training Year as a Trainee Respiratory Scientist at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Melbourne.
Her initial post graduate years were spent performing infant lung function, aortic ultrasound and data management duties for The Barwon Infant Study located in Geelong. This paved the way forward when she secured a co-ordinating role for the previous school-age component of the AREST CF study. During these years, Louise also assisted in the day-to-day infant and preschool lung function for the AREST CF Program at The RCH.
Since having her two children, Lily and Georgia, Louise continues to assist with the AREST CF program in Melbourne part-time, whilst also managing other research within the Department of Respiratory & Sleep Medicine.
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Update feat. Jaqueline
Jaqueline Macpherson, Research Coordinator - AREST CF Perth
Jacqui initially graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical Science and Biochemistry) from Latrobe University in Melbourne. After moving to Perth with her husband and two kids a few years ago, Jacqui completed her Master’s in Health Science (Physiology) from the University of Western Australia and began work at Sir Charles Gardner Hospital as a Respiratory Scientist.
She started working with the AREST CF team as a Clinical Research Assistant in December 2019. In 2021 she became the AREST CF Research Coordinator for the Perth team. Her job involves recruiting participants to the AREST CF surveillance study and the respiratory centre biobank (BANK CF), maintenance of the Surveillance Study, including clinic visits, sample and data collection, liaising with study participants, their parents or guardians, as well as providing support for AREST CF researchers, with the aim of coordinating good clinical practice and good data management practice across AREST CF studies.
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Update feat. Josh
Josh Beeson, Project Officer- AREST CF Perth
Josh graduated with a Masters in Infectious Disease from the University of Western Australia and began work at Linear Clinical Research on the QEII campus.
At Linear his focus was Phase 1 clinical trials, testing the efficacy and safety of new pharmaceuticals and biotechnology through healthy volunteer cohorts.
Josh moved to the AREST CF team at Telethon Kids Institute in early 2020. Here his daily activities are centred around the maintenance of the Early Surveillance Study, data and sample collection and providing support for AREST CF researchers.
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Update with eight feat. Hiep
"update with eight" feat. Hiep
Hiep Pham
Medical Doctor and PhD Candidate, MelbourneWhat was your first job?
I’m so sorry this is super boring but my first paid job was working as a medical intern. I had parents who only wanted my eyes glued to a text book until I could replace it with a degree. But I should feel blessed that they had my financial bases covered until then!
What was the last book you read?
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. If you have time for 700 pages of devastating brilliance then go right ahead.
What was the last movie you saw?
The Guilty (2018) a Danish thriller where a Copenhagen police officer answers an emergency call that turns out to be a woman abducted cryptically asking for help. The movie is filmed only in 2 adjoining rooms and in real time with no cut breaks. It’s a loaded 85 minutes of plot twists leaving you gripping your chair, or a wine glass as was in my case. 4.5/5 stars.If you aren’t a fan of foreign cinema then an American remake starring Jake Gyllenhaal is in the works. But we know how American remakes all go…If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
I’m a bit of a nervous wreck when it comes to socialising with new people, let alone have them see my painfully slow eating habits. As such, given a realistic preference, it’d be my partner and my two best friends.Social constraints aside, I’d choose my late maternal grandfather who I only got to meet briefly when I was 9, my mother who misses him dearly, and just listen to the conversation that ensues. Oh and still my partner to share in the experience.If you could choose another career?
Interior designer. Think New York loft apartments. Unlimited budgets. Unrealistic expectations.
What superpower would you like to have?
Teleportation. Imagine being able to live anywhere in the world, sleep in until 10 minutes before starting work and getting there in the blink of an eye! Who am I kidding, I’d still be tardy.
Whose mind would you like to read?
My mother’s. Maybe then I could make her happy. No, I love her to bits. But it would make it easier living up to her expectations.
Best award you have ever won?
Employee of the week July 2017. Best dressed.
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"update with eight" feat. Sally
"update with eight" feat. Sally
Sally McCappin
Research Assistant, PerthWhat was your first job?
Retail Assistant in a chocolate shop.What was the last book you read?
The Handmaid's Tale.What was the last movie you have seen?
Black Klansman.If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
My best friends.If you could choose another career?
Artist.What superpower would you like to have?
To read people's mind.Whose mind would you like to read?
My children.Best award you have ever won?
Too old to remember. -
“update with eight" feat. Rosemary
“update with eight" feat. Rosemary
Rosemary Alysandratos, Melbourne
What was your first job?
Lab assistant at my former high school.What was the last book you read?
The Tale of Despereaux’ with my 11-year-old daughter.What was the last movie you saw?
‘Dumbo’, again, with my 11-year-old daughter.If you could have any three dinner companions, who would they be?
I would dine with Michelle Obama, Keanu Reeves and Ellen DeGeneres.If you could choose another career?
I would choose to delve into the field of archaeology.What superpower would you like to have?
I would like to teleport so I wouldn’t have to travel to go on a holiday.Whose mind would you most like to read?
My dog, Bruno.Best award you have ever won?
An art award for sculpture in grade 6. -
"update with eight" feat. Natalie
"update with eight" feat. Natalie
Natalie Zajakovski
Respiratory Scientist, MelbourneWhat was your first job?
I worked in the cosmetic and shoe departments at Target. I loved attending their fashion events during Melbourne Fashion week and enjoyed many years of makeup and perfume freebies from reps.
What was the last book you read?
Becoming Michelle Obama, she emits a fabulous aura.What was the last movie you have seen?
A Star is BornIf you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
Tony Robbins, Celeste Barber, and Twitch from the Ellen showIf you could choose another career?
I would be a pilot/Haute Couture PatternmakerWhat super power would like to have?
Eat all the sweets I want without putting on weightWhose mind would you most like to read?
My Border Collie’s, to understand why he loves the soccer ball so much
Best award you have ever won?
Volunteer of the month with Peter Mac at the Annual Christmas Lunch held at Parliament House in Melbourne in 2006 -
"Update with eight" feat. Nadeene
"update with eight" feat. Nadeene
Nadeene Clarke
Research Co-ordinator, MelbourneWhat was your first job?
I worked in a delicatessen on weekends when I was in high school, the highlight of my day was being able to make my own lunch with anything I wanted to eat!
What was the last book you read?
Dog Medicine by Julie Barton. It’s a good read for animal lovers.
What was the last movie you have seen?
Bohemian Rhapsody, being a bit of a Queen fan I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
Unfortunately all mine have sadly passed away, but if I could bring them back for a night it would be: Audrey Hepburn, John Lennon & Robin Williams
If you could choose another career?
I’d love to be a food critic so I could travel the world eating weird and wonderful food while getting paid to do it.
What super power would like to have?
Flying would be very handy.
Whose mind would you most like to read?
This may sound strange, but my parent’s cat Tilly. She’s a bit of an oddball so I would love to know what makes her feline brain tick & understand her random unpredictable behaviour.
Best award you have ever won?
It would probably be a Rotary Award for writing excellence in year 10. -
"update with eight" feat. Steve
"update with eight" feat. Steve
Steve Stick
Northern Star Professor of Children’s Respiratory Health Research, Telethon Kids Institute Director, Telethon Kids Institute Respiratory Research Centre NHMRC Practitioner Fellow Clinical Professor, PerthWhat was your first job?
Lifeguard at a local swimming pool
What was the last book you read?
The Dry by Jane Harper
What was the last movie you have seen?
The Post
If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
Nelson Mandela, Neil deGrasse Tyson, William BoydIf you could choose another career?
Astronomer
What super power would like to have?
To slow time
Whose mind would you most like to read?
My wife's
Best award you have ever won?
US Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Distinguished Clinical Achievement Award. It was a Tiffany glass trophy that I dropped after being presented with it -
"update with eight" feat. Sarath
Sarath Ranganathan
Head of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne, Director of Respiratory & Sleep Medicine at the Royal Children’s Hospital & GroupWhat was your first job?
I just missed out on a job at Viking Burgers in Worcester, the competition was tough! Due to missing out on this my first job was in Orthopaedics in York, UK
What was the last book you read?
Can’t remember the name!
What was the last movie you have seen?
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriIf you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
Salma Hayek - Mexican actress
Russell Peters – Stand-up comedian
Mahendra Singh Dhoni – Former Indian cricket captain
If you could choose another career?
A diplomat for international relationsWhat super power would you like to have?
I would like to be the invisible man
Whose mind would you like to read?
Donald Trump - to prove if he has one!
Best award you have ever won?
When I was 16 years old I was the Fives champion at school. It’s an English sport also known as hand tennis. -
"Update with eight" feat. Shiv
Shivanthan Shanthikumar
Doctor, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne and PhD Candidate AREST CF.What was your first job?
My first job was coaching a Year 7 Rugby Union side. The side went undefeated (nothing to do with me!) for the season and so I ended my coaching career then, I still have a 100% winning record.
What was the last book you read?
The West Australian half of AREST will be happy to know it was The Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton, although I didn’t like it as much as some of his earlier works, he is definitely my favourite Australian author.
What was the last movie you have seen?
I just saw a movie called The Backtrack Boys, which is about a program that works with at risk young boys to try and divert them away from juvenile justice pathways and into school or employment. I highly recommend it!! It was truly inspiring and shows what is possible when we don’t resort to punitive treatment of young people.If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
I would say Barack Obama and Jacinda Adern for a view of the world that would fill me with optimism rather than pessimism, and Mark Waugh for tips on how to play elegant off drives
If you could choose another career?Growing up in New Zealand I always wanted to play for the All Blacks, I’m not sure how realistic that is an alternate career though!
What super power would like to have?I really enjoying napping, so it would probably be the ability to nap at anytime or place
Whose mind would you most like to read?Probably Sarath, so that when he corrects my PhD, there is less red pen and mean comments
Best award you have ever won?I think the trophy I got for taking a hat-trick in the 10B’s cricket team (all bowled in case anyone is interested)
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"Update with eight " feat. Tim
Tim Rosenow
NHMRC Early Career Fellow, PerthWhat was your first job?
I worked in a video store (remember those?).
What was the last book you read?
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth - Chris Hadfield. I enjoyed hearing his perspective and the anecdotes about space, but I am not sure I could live my life by his philosophies: it sounds like a lot of work with no room for fun!
What was the last movie you have seen?
Annihilation.
If you could have any three dinner companions who would they be?
Ricky Gervais, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Simone Giertz.
If you could choose another career?
Pro cricketer.
What super power would like to have?
Immune to procrastination.
Whose mind would you most like to read?
George R.R. Martin, because I can't handle the suspense.
Best award you have ever won?
When I was eight I won a competition for a huge box of sweet Jurassic Park loot!