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ABOUT DTRG

The Diabetes Technology Research Group lead by Professor David O’Neal for over 16 years has its foundations in Diabetes research. The team has grown substantially in the last 2 years and now comprises of 12 members encompassing a range of research and clinical backgrounds including endocrinologists, a project portfolio manager, an exercise physiologist, a scientist, research coordinators and credentialed diabetes educators. The DTRG also works closely with a consultant dietician, research operations consultant and University of Melbourne biostatisticians.

OUR MISSION

The DTRG aims to improve the lives of people with diabetes through exceptional research that drives advancement in innovative technologies.

OUR VISION

To be the centre of excellence in Adult t1 diabetes technology research in Australia and the leading partner for collaborators, participants, industry and key stakeholders.

Meet The Team

Professor David O’NealPrincipal Investigator Endocrinologist

Head of DTRG Principal Investigator at the University of Melbourne Department of Medicine St Vincent’s Hospital campus .

Professor Alicia JenkinsEndocrinologist

Professor Alicia is an Endocrinologist with a particular interest in the prediction and prevention of diabetes complications and the use of technology in health care.

Dr Melissa LeeEndocrinologist

Dr Melissa Lee is an Endocrinologist at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and is a Research Fellow and PhD candidate with the University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital Diabetes Technology Research Group.

Dr Barbora PaldusEndocrinologist

Dr Barbora Paldus is an Endocrinologist and Research Fellow with the University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital Diabetes Technology Research Group.

Dr Bala Krishnamurthy Endocrinologist

Dr Krishnamurthy is an experienced Clinician Researcher and a Consultant Endocrinologist at Western, Werribee and St Vincent’s Hospitals as well as leading a laboratory at SVI with a focus on achieving antigen-specific tolerance in T1D.

Dr Nisha VenkateshResearch Fellow

Dr. Nisha Venkatesh is currently pursuing her specialist training in Endocrinology and General Medicine and is a Research Fellow with the University of Melbourne and St. Vincent’s Hospital Diabetes Technology Research Group.

Catriona SimsProject Portfolio Manager

With the foundations of her experience as a Registered Nurse, Catriona moved into medical device sales and education over 20 years ago.

Dr Wade KrugerClinical Research Operations Consultant

With over 15 years in biomedical, clinical research and project management, Wade combines analytical skills with a strategic outlook and the ability to engage and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

Dr Dale MorrisonPost-doctoral Researcher

Dr Morrison is a Post-doctoral Researcher and Exercise Physiologist with the University of Melbourne and Diabetes Technology Research Group

Sue KentSenior Research Nurse Clinical Trial Coordinator

Sue is the Senior Research Nurse with the DTRG.
She has worked with Professor O’Neal for over 12 years in her role as a Clinical Trial coordinator.

Katie Brown Clinical Trial Coordinator

Katie completed her Registered Nursing qualification at Royal Melbourne Hospital and then moved to The Alfred Hospital. Shortly after completing her grad year, she moved into ICU, completing her Critical Care Course and gaining her Batchelor of Nursing from Deakin University. Katie supports and coordinate current research projects in her preferred space of type 1 diabetes.

Lesley Robinson CDEClinical Trial Coordinator

Lesley is a Registered Nurse & Credential Diabetes Educator with over 20 years experience. Lesley has worked with people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Her passion for wanting to help improve the lives of people with type 1 diabetes through the application of new and emerging technologies saw her join the Diabetes Technology Research Group Last year as a clinical research nurse.

Emma Netzer CDEClinical Trial Coordinator

Emma has been a Registered Nurse for 22 years and a Credentialled Diabetes Educator for 16 years. She is part of the dynamic Diabetes Technology Research Group (DTRG) She also
works as part of a multidisciplinary team at Alfred Health in the Diabetes
Education Service.

Hannah Jones CDEClinical Trial Coordinator

Hannah enjoys being a part of creating history, through providing a sound knowledge base, support and guidance. Hannah feels she is able to empower her patients by allowing them to gain the knowledge, which is paving the way for new developments.

Varuni Obeyesekere Scientist

Varuni is a Medical Research Scientist working in the Diabetes Technology Research Group and the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes at St Vincent’s Hospital. She previously worked at the Baker Institute as a key member of a team that discovered and patented the gene for 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehyodrogenase type II (11bHSD2).

About

The DTRG is made up of a multi-disciplinary team who are all focused on achieving our research goals keeping the person with diabetes front and centre of our mission

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Studies

The basis and focus of our team is to ensure the collection, collation , analysis and presentation of data is done with integrity and ensures the person with diabetes remains the focus at all times

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Publications

The DTRG aim to convert our exciting and valuable research data into publications for presentation at scientific meetings , medical journals and other educational forums for the use in clinical application or resulting in the development of innovative technologies for people with type 1 diabetes

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