HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTION PREVENTION
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Professor Philip Russo (Filmed June 2024)
Professor of Nursing
Director of Research, Nursing & Midwifery, Monash University &
Director of Nursing Research, Cabrini Health, Melbourne, Australia
Professor Russo is Director of Research, Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia and Director of Nursing Research, Cabrini Health.
Professor Russo is an internationally regarded expert in healthcare associated infection prevention, and led the recently completed the Australian National Healthcare Associated Infection Point Prevalence Survey, the first in Australia for 34 years. He is also Past President of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC), the peak body for Infection Prevention and Control professionals in the Australasian region.
Aside from his role at ACIPC, other leadership and engagement activities include; former Deputy Chair of the Infection Control Expert Group (COVID-19), a member of the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce Steering Committee, the National Health and Medical Research Council Infection Control Guidelines Advisory Committee, and the Healthcare Associated Infection Advisory Committee for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
Professor Russo is the recipient of a National Health and Medical Research Early Career Fellowship and has attracted research funding from government, industry, philanthropic and academic sources. He has presented at both national and international conferences, authored over 100 peer reviewed articles and several book chapters.
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Identification, characterisation and role of leader cells in ovarian cancer progression
Dr. Maree Bilandzic is a molecular cancer biologist dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of ovarian cancer (OC). Her research addresses critical gaps in OC treatment by investigating the mechanisms behind metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, and tumour recurrence. By utilising innovative methodologies and disease-representative models, Dr. Bilandzic has pioneered the identification and characterisation of leader cells (LCs)—a unique, stem-like subpopulation within tumours that plays a crucial role in OC progression.
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De-prescribing medications in older adults with dementia
Dr. Daniel Hoyle is a Senior Lecturer in Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania. He is also an experienced clinical pharmacist with expertise in medication management in older people. Dr. Hoyle’s research interests focus on improving medicine use in older people with dementia.
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DNA repair on the Fanconi anaemia pathway
Associate Professor Wayne Crismani is an internationally recognised expert in DNA repair, with a particular focus on Fanconi anaemia (FA)—a cancer-predisposition and bone marrow failure syndrome marked by extreme sensitivity to DNA damage. Based at St Vincent’s Institute in Melbourne, he leads a research program dedicated to understanding the genetic, cellular, and reproductive consequences of FA. He is currently supported by a Victorian Cancer Agency Mid-Career Fellowship and funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
