Fellows of the Academy
Meet the Fellows of the Implementation Science Academy.
In 2021 Sydney Health Partners awarded Research Translation Fellowships to five clinician-researchers.
The funding provides the Research Translation Fellows with protected time to upskill in research translation methods and implement health care improvement projects whilst remaining in their substantive positions.
The fellows are:
- Dr Jillian Eyles – Research Fellow, Institute of Bone and Joint Research, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney
- Merran Findlay – Executive Research Lead in Cancer Nutrition, Sydney Local Health District
- Dr Alan Ma – Clinical Geneticist, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network at Westmead
- Dr Robyn Sierla – Lymphoedema Therapist, Sydney Local Health District
- Dr Nicholas Williams – Neonatologist, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Our Inaugural Research Translation Fellows
Dr Jillian Eyles
Research Fellow, Institute of Bone and Joint Research, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney
Dr Jillian Eyles is a physiotherapist at Northern Sydney Local Health District and early career researcher at the Kolling Institute and Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney.
Jillian’s main areas of interest lie in the implementation and outcomes of osteoarthritis management programs. She leads research to support the translation in practice of best evidence care for people living with symptomatic osteoarthritis.
Jillian has extensive experience in the design, set-up and coordination of randomised trials and has conducted several cohort, cross-sectional studies and systematic reviews.
Since receiving her PhD in 2019, Jillian has had 61 publications and has been awarded >$3.6 million funding for her projects.
Merran Findlay
Executive Research Lead in Cancer Nutrition, Sydney Local Health District
Clinical Associate Professor Merran Findlay has more than 23 years’ experience in nutrition support and care of people with cancer.
As Executive Research Lead – Cancer Nutrition in Sydney Local Health District and Sydney Health Partners Research Translation Fellow, she leads a program of work supporting translation of cancer nutrition and supportive care evidence into practice.
A recognised leader in her field, Merran has led the development, dissemination and implementation of evidence-based cancer nutrition guidelines.
Her research has focused on the impact of cancer-related malnutrition and sarcopenia on clinical, cost and patient-centred outcomes, innovative models of care and implementation science to support research translation for which she has achieved several national awards.
Dr Alan Ma
Clinical Geneticist, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network at Westmead
Alan Ma is a clinical geneticist and clinician-researcher at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network – Westmead.
As an academic with the Specialty of Genomic Medicine at the University of Sydney, Alan helps to run a Masters program in genomics and precision medicine.
During his Sydney Health Partners Research Translation Fellowship, Alan is studying the translation of genomics and precision medicine into healthcare.
Dr Robyn Sierla
Lymphoedema Therapist, Sydney Local Health District
Robyn is a clinician at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, and an expert in the treatment and management of lymphoedema.
A passionate advocate for improved services and support for those with lymphedema, Robyn undertook research training from 2009 to realise her aspirations of being a clinician-researcher.
Her PhD studies enabled her to explore digital health and the potential for digital supports to provide efficiencies within the clinic, promote patient engagement, and reduce clinical variation.
Robyn’s goal is to see a learning health system where data collected at the point of care can be used to inform precision care for this prevalent but long neglected condition of lymphedema.
Dr Nicholas Williams
Neonatologist, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Dr Nicholas Williams is a Neonatologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District.
Nick led a 3-year research implementation project in Vancouver, Canada, which redeveloped the provincial (state) guidelines pertaining to the perinatal management of an anticipated extremely preterm birth.
He is using the Sydney Health Partners Research Translation Fellowship to support the implementation of best practice recommendations regarding extremely preterm birth across NSW, including the development and evaluation of parent and carer resources.
