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 - Vincent McFarlane
Vincent's professional career began in 1985 in the financial services sector. Since that time, he has primarily worked in management roles in the financial services industry, in particular Credit Unions (not for profit).
As General Manager of The Wesley Research Institute, he manages the operational aspects of the Institute including finances, facilities and staff and is actively involved in business development and providing strategic direction.
Vincent is a CPA having obtained his Bachelor of Business (Acc) from Deakin University after switching from a Science degree at Melbourne University. Vincent also holds an MBA majoring in marketing from Deakin University.
Tissue Bank Manager - Wendy-Jane Murray
As Manager of the new Tissue Bank, Wendy-Jane's role is to set up the laboratory and develop relationships with surgeons, pathologists and researchers to provide the necessary scope and capacity of the facility as a resource for cancer research.
Wendy-Jane has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) from Queensland University of Technology with a background in nursing and pathology collection. Now specialising in tissue banking, Wendy-Jane joins The Wesley Research Institute following several years with Queensland Health.
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.
Fundraising Manager - Krystian Wakiec
As Fundraising Manager of the Institute, Krystian's role is to obtain funding for the Institute's current and future needs.
With experience in banking, consulting, as well as the not-for-profit sector, Krystian has an understanding of the many sources of funding available to organisations and how to go about securing them.
Krystian has obtained a Bachelor of Business with majors in Economics and International Business from the Queensland University of Technology.
Marketing and Communications Officer - 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.
