I joined the School of Pharmacy at UniSA as a lecturer in Pharmacy in June 2011. I am currently the course coordinator for Dosage Form Design 3 (PHAR 3024) and Pharmacotherapeutics Theory 2 (PHAR 3022), courses taught in the third year of the Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science degrees. I also teach into Dosage Form Design 4. I am currently the stream coordinator of the Dosage Form Design stream for the undergraduate pharmacy program.
Prior to joining UniSA, I trained as a pharmacist at The National University of Singapore and did a PhD in immunogenetics at Queen's University of Belfast (Northern Ireland). My post doctoral research married my training in pharmacy and genetics to investigate the role of genetics in... Read more
About me
I joined the School of Pharmacy at UniSA as a lecturer in Pharmacy in June 2011. I am currently the course coordinator for Dosage Form Design 3 (PHAR 3024) and Pharmacotherapeutics Theory 2 (PHAR 3022), courses taught in the third year of the Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science degrees. I also teach into Dosage Form Design 4. I am currently the stream coordinator of the Dosage Form Design stream for the undergraduate pharmacy program.
Prior to joining UniSA, I trained as a pharmacist at The National University of Singapore and did a PhD in immunogenetics at Queen's University of Belfast (Northern Ireland). My post doctoral research married my training in pharmacy and genetics to investigate the role of genetics in treatment response to hepatitis C treatment. This research led to the discovery genetic variants in the IL28B gene that helped in the identification of non-responders to treatment for hepatitis C virus. I also set up a national genetic screening service for patients with hepatitis C considering getting treatment.
About me
Genetics Society of Australasia (GSA)
Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA)
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
About me
Doctor of Philosophy The Queen's University of Belfast
Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) with Honours National University of Singapore
Pharmacogenomics
I am interested in identifying genetic targets for both treatment outcome (response and adverse drug reactions). With the advancement of genetic technologies and the reduction in costs for genetic projects, it is fast becoming a reality to do these projects within a reasonable time frame and budget. The implications of these projects will revolutionise the way doctors prescribe drugs for their patients.
Genetics of human diseases
We have now come to understand that complex diseases are multigenic and as we find out more about the genetic make up of humans, indirectly we are also finding out more about the genetics of diseases. This information is useful in designing new drug targets.
Mental health
In collaboration... Read more
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Optimization and validation of assay of French protocol for phenotyping patient samples for treatment optimization, Pari-Passou Medical Consultancy, 03/08/2020 - 31/12/2020
Cost effectiveness analysis of NPS MedicineWise app in the management of heart failure patients, Cwth Dept of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, 06/05/2019 - 04/05/2020
Identification of DEPDC5 and PRRT2 deletions and duplications in causing childhood epilepsies, Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation of SA, 01/01/2014 - 30/06/2016
Best practice in relation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Medical Chest Contents and Supply Chain, Royal Flying Doctor Service, 01/02/2013 - 30/09/2013
Previous Frontiers in Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Science (PHAR 4025) Projects (2017 - present)
1. Assessment of patient understanding of their medicines: interviews with community dwelling older Australians.
2. Post discharge recommendations on opioid usage and monitoring in discharge summaries of GEMU patients at Noarlunga Hospital.
3. Medication related to gastrointestinal bleeding and the incidence of potential culprit medications.
4. To determine the knowledge of community pharmacy clients regarding mental health and mental health support services.
5. Roles and challenges in PRN psychotropic medication administration by residential aged care facility nursing staff.
6. Acute and long-term psychological impact of bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic in community pharmacists
7. Anti-cancer medication expenditure and dispensing from 2013 to 2019
Research
Research since 2008 is shown below. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2018 |
1
1
14
|
| 2017 |
19
17
13
|
| 2014 |
Open access
14
15
4
|
| 2013 |
Open access
14
14
|
| 2009 |
1676
1540
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2021 |
|
| 2021 |
1
|
| 2021 |
Open access
1
2
|
| 2021 |
2
|
| 2020 |
Open access
1
1
1
|
| 2020 |
|
| 2020 |
8
8
2
|
| 2019 |
Open access
1
10
|
| 2018 |
Open access
|
| 2018 |
1
1
14
|
| 2017 |
Open access
11
10
1
|
| 2017 |
19
17
13
|
| 2017 |
Open access
33
32
39
|
| 2015 |
Open access
128
130
26
|
| 2015 |
68
65
3
|
| 2014 |
Open access
6
5
3
|
| 2014 |
6
5
1
|
| 2014 |
47
46
6
|
| 2014 |
17
17
2
|
| 2014 |
13
14
1
|
| 2014 |
Open access
19
18
|
| 2014 |
2
2
7
|
| 2014 |
Open access
14
15
4
|
| 2013 |
Open access
14
14
|
| 2013 |
Open access
45
41
15
|
| 2013 |
Open access
5
4
|
| 2012 |
72
67
5
|
| 2012 |
Open access
116
111
8
|
| 2011 |
Open access
63
57
4
|
| 2011 |
Open access
99
99
10
|
| 2010 |
Open access
149
130
|
| 2009 |
1676
1540
|
2012 Finalist of the Australian Museum Eureka Prize for medical research translation.
2010 Westmead Science Prize for best research paper in 2009/2010 for the Nature Genetics paper
You can hear more about my research here: http://www.unisa.edu.au/research/talking-papers/
Research
Pharmacogenomics
I am interested in identifying genetic targets for both treatment outcome (response and adverse drug reactions). With the advancement of genetic technologies and the reduction in costs for genetic projects, it is fast becoming a reality to do these projects within a reasonable time frame and budget. The implications of these projects will revolutionise the way doctors prescribe drugs for their patients.
Genetics of human diseases
We have now come to understand that complex diseases are multigenic and as we find out more about the genetic make up of humans, indirectly we are also finding out more about the genetics of diseases. This information is useful in designing new drug targets.
Mental health
In collaboration with other academics around Australia, community and hospital pharmacists and clinicians, I am interested in exploring the role of pharmacists and genetics in mental health. There are several projects at various levels (undergraduate, intern and postgraduate levels) that I am currently involved in.
Genotyping service
In collaboration with Dr Catherine King and A/Prof Michael Wiese, I am providing genotyping service using various array technologies. This service is available to researchers within as well as outside the University.
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Australian Genomics Health Alliance | AUSTRALIA |
| Australian Medical Association | AUSTRALIA |
| Burnet Institute | AUSTRALIA |
| Centenary Institute | AUSTRALIA |
| Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin | GERMANY |
| Curtin University | AUSTRALIA |
| Gastroenteroligische Ambulanz der Kinderklinik | GERMANY |
| Haddad Pharmacy | AUSTRALIA |
| Helping Hand Aged Care | AUSTRALIA |
| Hopital Pitie-Salpetriere | FRANCE |
| J. W. Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt | GERMANY |
| Minia University | EGYPT |
| Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
| Murdoch Childrens Research Institute | AUSTRALIA |
| Murdoch University | AUSTRALIA |
| National Neuroscience Institute | SINGAPORE |
| Necker Medical School | FRANCE |
| Nepean Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Newcastle University, United Kingdom | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Pharmacy Guild of Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Prince of Wales Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Princess Alexandra Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Rockefeller University | UNITED STATES |
| Royal Adelaide Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| SA Health | AUSTRALIA |
| San Raffaele Scientific Institute | ITALY |
| Terry White Chemmart Pharmacy | AUSTRALIA |
| Universitatsklinikum Leipzig | GERMANY |
| Universitatsmedizin Berlin | GERMANY |
| University Hospital Geneva | SWITZERLAND |
| University Hospital of Zurich | SWITZERLAND |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Bern | SWITZERLAND |
| University of Bonn | GERMANY |
| University of Lausanne | SWITZERLAND |
| University of Leipzig | GERMANY |
| University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
| University of New South Wales | AUSTRALIA |
| University of New Southy Wales | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Nottingham | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Turin | ITALY |
| Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory | AUSTRALIA |
| Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research | AUSTRALIA |
| Westmead Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Advisory Board MemberSouth Australian Psychotropics Drug Committee |
2021 |
Council MemberSouth Australian Statewide Clinical Genomics Network |
2021 |
MemberAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2021 |
MemberPharmaceutical Society of Australia |
2021 |
TreasurerAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2021 |
Advisory Board MemberSouth Australian Psychotropics Drug Committee |
2020 |
MemberAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2020 |
MemberPharmaceutical Society of Australia |
2020 |
TreasurerAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2020 |
Advisory Board MemberSouth Australian Psychotropics Drug Committee |
2019 |
Best Poster AwardPharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA19), Sydney |
2019 |
MemberAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2019 |
MemberPharmaceutical Society of Australia |
2019 |
TreasurerAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2019 |
MemberAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2018 |
MemberPharmaceutical Society of Australia |
2018 |
Team member, Best poster prizePharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA18), Sydney |
2018 |
Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student LearningUniversity of South Australia Teaching Awards |
2017 |
MemberGenetics Society of Australasia (GSA) |
2017 |
MemberAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2017 |
MemberInternational Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) |
2017 |
MemberAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2016 |
MemberAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2015 |
MemberAustralasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) |
2014 |
1. Member of the UniSA Human Research Ethics Committee (2016 – present)
2. Steering group member of the Australian Centre for Precision Health (2019 – present)
3. Member of the South Australian Psychotropic Drugs Committee (2019 – present)
4. Treasurer of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) (2019 – present)
5. Academic editor for Frontiers in Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics, PLoS One and BMC Medical Genetics
I am currently the course coordinator for Dosage Form Design 3 and Pharmacotherapeutics Theory 2. I also teach into Dosage Form Design 4.
The Dosage Form Design stream received the 2017 Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning UniSA Teaching Awards for the development of program wide pharmaceutical compounding practicals using the scaffold learning approach to improve student learning outcome. Team members included A/Prof Bernie Hughes, Dr Tim Barnes, Dr Kristen Bremmell and Dr Vijay Suppiah.
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| A pilot study to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and value of the NPS MedicineWise application in supporting medication adherence in patients with chronic heart failure | Current |
| Expanding the role of community pharmacists in mental health: addressing gaps in medication knowledge & physical health monitoring of consumers living independently in the community | Current |
| Outcomes of acute amphetamine-induced psychosis presentation in hospital emergency departments | Current |
| Development and proof-of-concept of a smartphone self-management program to support adherence to oral chemotherapy in young and adults with cancer | Completed |
| Pharmacogenomics of interferon-beta treatment in Caucasian multiple sclerosis patients | Completed |
