Our Team
Driving the success, management, and growth of The Wesley Research Institute is a team of dedicated employees with strong skills across relevant, expert areas.
These 28 employees provide support services to our researchers, administer our research projects and clinical trials, manage the operational aspects of the organisation, and raise awareness and funds to underpin the Institute's research activities.
In addition to this permanent workforce is a diverse team of professional researchers from within the Uniting HealthCare group and collaborative partner organisations. Currently, the Institute is supporting and working alongside 70 research professionals.
Our Director
Professor Julie Campbell is a scientist of international acclaim with more than 35 years experience in scientific and medical research.
Her life-long commitment to research in human health and science education has ensured she is one of Australia’s pre-eminent scientists.
Professor Campbell administers the Institute’s scientific procedures and protocols, offers advice to researchers, and oversees research projects while playing a pivotal role in the strategic direction of the Institute.
She has maintained an active role in research and is currently working on a ‘grow your own arteries’ project to grow vascular grafts from the body’s own bone marrow cells using the patient’s abdominal cavity as a bioreactor.
The revolutionary technique has remarkable implications for patients requiring coronary artery bypass grafts or arteriovenous access fistula for dialysis and has spawned a series of spin-offs including applications for bladder grafts and in tissue engineered heart valves.
In addition to her role at the Institute, Professor Campbell holds several prominent academic positions including:
- Member of the Executive Council of the Australian Academy of Science, and its Secretary for Education
- Senior Research Fellow of the National Health and Medical Research Council
- Director, Centre for Research in Vascular Biology, University of Queensland
- Director, VasCam Pty Ltd
Among the awards she has received for her work are:
- Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), 2006
- Queensland Great, 2004
- Elected to the Australian Academy of Science, 2000
- Wellcome Australia Medal, 1995
- Full biography on Professor Julie Campbell
Our Senior Managers
General Manager - Ian Pritchard
Ian Pritchard was appointed to the role of General Manager at WRI in November 2009. Ian was previously General Manager of a major Cooperative Research Centre, where he was responsible for all aspects of management including business development, commercialisation, strategic planning, corporate governance and financial management.
As General Manager, he manages the operational aspects of the Institute including finances, human resources, business development and strategy.
He has wide experience in both private and public sector management, both overseas and in Australia. His qualifications include a Bachelor in Business Law/Economics and an MBA, and he is a Chartered Company Secretary and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Investigative Research Manager - Dr Greg Hafner
Dr Greg Hafner is the Investigative Research Manager for the Wesley Research Institute. Greg’s primary roles are to drive and manage investigator-led research initiatives, to maximise the capacity of clinicians within The Wesley Hospital to undertake research and to help foster research linkage with our external partner research organizations.
Greg brings over 15 years of research experience to the position. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in the areas of microbiology and biochemistry and a PhD in virology and molecular genetics. Most recently Greg has been working as the Research and Development Director for Inverness Medical Innovations Australia (formerly Panbio Ltd) where he was responsible for the maintenance and development of the company’s infectious disease diagnostic assays, which were sold internationally.
Fundraising Officer – Rod Knapp
Rod joined the Institute in 2008 with an extensive background in marketing, business development and relationship management gained in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.
Having worked in partnership with three large not-for-profit organisations in the health sector over five years, and in the corporate world for more than 20 years, Rod has helped many individuals and organisations to experience the joy of philanthropy.
At WRI, Rod is involved in capital fundraising, corporate sponsorships, appeals, regular giving, bequests, memorial gifts, celebration gifts, workplace giving, online giving and donor relations.
He is an Associate Member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia and holds qualifications in marketing and journalism.
Tissue Bank Coordinator - Audrey Partanen
Audrey Partanen comes to us from Victoria where she was the Tissue Bank Coordinator at the Royal Melbourne Hospital for 10 years. Audrey also has an extensive background in nursing and histopathology and a wealth of experience in both clinical pathology and research environments.
Clinical Research Manager - Sonya McColl
Sonya McColl is the Clinical Research Manager at The Wesley Research Institute. Her career spans 15 years in the health industry having worked as both a registered nurse and a clinical research coordinator at a number of hospitals and health institutions nationally.
She is responsible for managing clinical trials including business development, patient recruitment and reporting. Sonya has a Bachelor of Health Science and is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator.
Marketing Manager - Colleen McMillan
As Marketing and Communications Officer, Colleen’s role is to oversee all marketing and communications activities to raise awareness and understanding of the Institute and its research to target audiences and stakeholders.
Colleen joined the Institute in September 2005 following a year at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig, Germany.
Colleen has obtained her Bachelor of Business majoring in Public Relations from the Queensland University of Technology and is currently undertaking a Masters in Marketing.
Research Liaison Coordinator - Annette Ganter
Annette Ganter is the Research Liaison Coordinator at the Institute. She joined the Institute in mid 1996 bringing career experience in both medical administration and the not-for-profit sector.
Annette is the first point of contact for clinicians and health professionals wishing to conduct research through the Institute. She works closely with the Director, Professor Julie Campbell, and the researchers, to provide ongoing support where required and in sourcing external granting opportunities.
Commercial Accountant - Rosena Crawford
As the Commerical Accountant for The Wesley Research Institute, Rosena’s role is to manage the finances of the Institute, ensure financial reporting obligations and requirements are met and assist in business management and planning.
Rosena joined the Institute in November 2007 and comes with a public practice sector background, as well as experience working directly within the not-for-profit sector in the UK.
Rosena is a chartered accountant and has a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Finance, from Griffith University.
