Inspiring Health
Transforming Care

Executive & Institute Staff

Our team consists of passionate individuals who share the same goal to inspire health and transform care in our local, and national, community.

We work closely with members from our local health districts, our university partners and the general community to improve health through community-driven medical research.

Board of Directors

Prof Rod McClure is Professor of Public Health Medicine, and Dean, School of Medicine at Western Sydney University. Since being awarded his PhD in Epidemiology and Population Health in 1995, he has had a comprehensive international career including clinical, administrative, education and research contributions across the public, private and government sectors. Rod is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine. He is the current Board Chair of the nib foundation, and is a Council Member of the Australian Faculty of Public Health Medicine. Rod brings extensive experience in research grant management through his leadership of research centres/institutes and having served on national competitive grant review panels in Australia and the United States, and driving successful outcomes as a primary investigator on grant applications totalling more than $60 million.

Grant Isedale has over 25 years’ experience in nursing and health management. Commencing his career as a graduate nurse in Liverpool Hospital, he has progressed through various clinical and corporate management roles in SWSLHD to his current position as General Manager of Campbelltown and Camden hospitals. Grant holds a Masters in Health Service Management, Graduate Diploma in Midwifery and a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing.

Grant leads a dedicated team of clinical and corporate professionals to provide evidence based high-quality safe clinical care to the people of Macarthur, one of the fastest growing areas of NSW, and the broader SWSLHD community.

Grant serves as a board member of the Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research and the Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation.

Arthur joined the Board in 2022, and shares a strong commitment to see Ingham Institute expand its medical research footprint and support of the diverse and growing communities of South Western Sydney and beyond.

Beyond his service on the Ingham Institute Board, Arthur is Deputy Chairman of Inglis, the oldest and largest bloodstock agency in Australasia.

Arthur is also joint founder and director of Pixevety, the leading consent driven photo management system for education, with a global presence in more than eight countries.

Arthur holds a B Comm and MBA and is a licenced broker of business, real estate and insurance.

Mark Perich is a Director of Greenfields Development Company, a family-owned development company responsible for the delivery of Oran Park, a vibrant new community along with other major development projects in South Western Sydney.

It is in this role, that Mark began to work in partnership with the South Western Sydney Local Health District which strengthened his interest in Health and wellbeing.

Drawing on his diverse experience in successfully collaborating with various stakeholders and the Perich family’s long-standing support of charities and research foundations in the Macarthur region, Mark hopes to help guide the Ingham Institute to achieve their vision to transform lives in the local community.

Lyn is a Director and Co-owner of Ingham Property Group owning and developing property in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Lyn is a Director and Shareholder of Ingham Racing with thoroughbred horse racing being a significant part of her life. Lyn sits on the Ingham Institute Annual Luncheon Committee raising funds for the Ingham Institute. 

Professor Martin Gallagher is Head of the Clinical School and Precinct in South Western Sydney for the University of New South Wales, and a Clinical Academic in Renal Medicine at Liverpool Hospital. Prior to taking up his current role, he was a Clinical Academic at Concord Hospital and the University of Sydney. He completed a Harkness Fellowship at Yale University in 2009-10 and his research interests encompass acute kidney injury, clinical trials and renal epidemiology. He’s led a team of clinical renal researchers at the George Institute for Global Health, along with international collaborators.

Martin has also made important policy contributions to healthcare, including leading national evidence implementation projects, leading elements of the Australian Governments National Chronic Disease Strategy and projecting the future burden of kidney disease. He has been Departmental Head at two renal units, held senior committee roles within the Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology and led major clinical trials.

 

John is a serial entrepreneur, active across diverse sectors including marketing, agriculture, property development, technology, horse breeding and racing.

After a highly successful marketing career at Ingham Enterprises, John continues to build brands as a Director of Upstart Marketing, and Chair of the Ingham Institute Marketing and Fundraising Committee.

As Director and Co-owner of Ingham Property Group, John has a strategic and governance role in the development of property assets across New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

Complimenting Johns wealth of experience, horse breeding and racing is another passion for John, as Director of Ingham Racing, Rockingham Thoroughbreds and James Harron Bloodstock. Previously John held Director roles with the Australian Jockey Club and the Australian Stud Book (2008 – 2012).

A founding investor and Director of farming and livestock SAAS company Agriwebb, brings John’s heritage in food production together with his curiosity for agriculture and technology.

 “The incredible contribution that our research teams are making to the health of our local and national community, and in fact global health issues, makes me feel humble and proud.” John Ingham

Sonia has over 30 years nursing and midwifery experience, with 17 of these being in senior management positions at both a site and district level. Sonia holds a MBA, Graduate Diploma of Public Service Administration, Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Western Sydney University and Honorary Fellow at University of Wollongong.

Sonia’s extensive experience in health management and commitment to safe, high-quality care, as well as her passion for innovation and continuous improvement across all aspects of health, places the region at the forefront of world class healthcare.

Sonia serves as a board member of the Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research and the South Western Sydney Primary Health Network.

Chief Executive, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District

Ms Mains has extensive health executive leadership and management experience both hospital and Local Health District level.

Her previous roles include Chief Executive Officer, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, and prior to that she held senior leadership roles in the New Zealand Health system, as Chief Executive Officer, Capital and Coast District Health Board and Chief Executive Officer, Mid Central Health.

Ms Mains is a registered nurse, and holds the following qualifications: Certificate in Community Health (Christchurch Polytechnic); Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Massey University); Bachelor of Laws (University of Otago). Ms Mains has completed the New Zealand Institute of Company Directors’ course.

Margot was admitted as a Fellow of the University of Wollongong in October 2021 for her significant and continued contribution to the health and wellbeing of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven community.

Tim Bryan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Perich Group and a Chartered Accountant.

He is a Founding Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation and Chairman of St Gregory’s College Finance Advisory Committee.

Tim has a special interest in research into childhood diseases.

“What excites me most … is the motivation and passion of the researchers who call Ingham Institute home.”

— Tim Bryan

 

Terry Goldacre is the Managing Director of Harrington Estates (NSW) Pty Ltd, which since 1993 has been responsible for the development of the leading residential estate Harrington Park. Prior to this, he held executive positions in the civil engineering and land development industries

He is past president of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (NSW Division) and is a founding trustee of the Harrington Park Foundation.

Jim Marsden OAM is the Senior Partner at Marsdens Law Group. His firm is based primarily at Campbelltown with offices at Liverpool, Camden and the City of Sydney.

Jim has a history in a number of areas of community involvement. His past involvement includes Chairman of West Magpie Rugby League, Wests Tigers, the Chamber of Commerce, and board membership of NSW Rugby League and Odyssey House.

Jim currently Chairs The Macarthur Club and the Macarthur Development Advisory Group based out of Campbelltown.

“Medical research is essential and exciting. I was born and raised in south-west Sydney, and the Ingham Institute gives me the opportunity to participate in the delivery of significant research outcomes in my territory.”

— Jim Marsden

 

Arnold Vitocco is a local Macarthur resident and licensed builder. His family’s development company, D. Vitocco Constructions Pty Ltd, has been building and developing in the Liverpool and Macarthur region since the late 1950s. Notable developments by his family company include the Narellan Town Centre and Gregory Hills, a 2,500-lot subdivision and 43 hectares of employment zone.

Arnold is a member of Narellan Chamber of Commerce and is a committee member of the St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown. He was a Board Director of the South Western Sydney Area Health Service 1997-2003 and a committee member of the Health Research Foundation Sydney South West, which successfully helped raise $8 million.

“The Ingham Institute is about medical research and the wellbeing of people. [Medical research requires] forward planning. If you plant a tree today, in 15 years you will have shade. It’s the same with medical research. We must invest in research to reap those long term rewards.”

— Arnold Vitocco

 

Executive Staff

Professor Les Bokey  AM., M.S., F. R.A.C.S., F.R.C.S.  (Glas.) (Hon.) is Foundation Professor of Surgery and Clinical Dean, Western Sydney University at Liverpool Hospital.  He is the Director of Research for the South Western Sydney Local Health District, Institute Director at The Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research amd Director of Surgery at Liverpool Hospital. His research interests include screening, and early diagnosis of bowel cancer, outcomes after surgery for bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, robotics and automation in health.  He is the Director of The South Western Institute for Robotics and Automation in Health (SWIRAH).  His expertise and technical innovations, especially in rectal cancer surgery, are acknowledged internationally.

Professor Bokey has worked at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.  Before joining Western Sydney University, he was Head of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Associate Dean of Surgical Sciences at Sydney University.

In 2016, he was appointed Interim Director of ‘Maridulu Budyari Gumal’ The Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research & Enterprise (SPHERE) and was instrumental in fostering clinical academic groups across the partnership which subsequently led to NHMRC AHRTC accreditation of SPHERE.

He has been awarded The Order of Australia Medal for service to medicine as colorectal surgeon and establishment of surgical education programs, research, and medical administration. He has received several honorary degrees from various International Universities and Societies.

Katie joined Ingham Institute in 2022 as Chief Operations Officer and was appointed Chief Executive Officer (interim) in March 2024.

Katie is a healthcare operations leader with international experience in strategic analysis, action planning, process implementation and relationship management. Katie has a background in business development, having led bid and grant teams across university, corporate and government settings. She is experienced in navigating challenging political environments, especially during times of transition and change.

Katie repatriated to Australia in 2021 after eight years in the Middle East, where she supported activation of a 400-bed children’s and women’s hospital, medical education and biomedical research centre. She activated ambulatory and inpatient services, structured clinical governance, devised reporting frameworks, and designed service plans. She is passionate about working with academics and clinicians to achieve operational excellence.

Katie previously worked in Research Development at the University of Technology, Sydney. Before this she was Commercial Reporting Manager and Bid Writer for Brookfield Multiplex’s new business team, focusing on PPPs in the healthcare space. A graduate of the University of Sydney and the University of Technology, Sydney, she is currently completing a Masters of Literature at Deakin University.

 

Renee commenced with the Ingham Institute in July 2023 as Head of Philanthropy.

The Ingham Institute exists today because of the generosity of our founding donors, who gave, without restriction, with a shared vision to improve health outcomes of people in the local region. As the Head of Philanthropy, Renee will work closely with a vast range of internal and external stakeholders in order to ensure the continued success of the Ingham institute in the delivery of a range of philanthropy programs designed to bolster and propel forward our world class research.

Renee is an experienced senior leader and business development professional, having held senior positions within philanthropy, donor relations and business development across a range of industries including the private sector, government relations and higher education. Renee honed her passion and dedication to philanthropy whilst working within the higher education sector where she personally raised a total of $25 million towards student support and interdisciplinary research.

Renee is passionate about transforming lives and making positive change in the world through the power of philanthropy. She has successfully led programs and teams across all aspects of fundraising for the past decade, including regular giving, major and principal gifts, donor stewardship and gift implementation. She has a demonstrated track record of working successfully with individual supporters, Corporate partners, Community and Non-profit organisations as well as Trusts and Foundations, through successful identification and cultivation of valuable partnerships and relationships. Renee also has demonstrated track record of managing diverse teams with varying degrees of skill and experience, encouraging collaboration across multiple areas and levels of complex organisations to achieve shared strategic objectives.

Scott brings over 18 years of property operations and facility management experience to Ingham Institute and is responsible for ensuring the Institute’s facility and asset portfolio meets the expanding needs of our research teams over the long term.

Originally from the UK, Scott emigrated to Australia in 1997 and since then has held facility and property management roles of increasing responsibility within a variety of sectors including digital entertainment, construction, not for profit and healthcare.

Prior to joining the Ingham Institute, Scott served for over six years as Property Operations Manager for Southern Cross Care, a leading provider of Home Care, Retirement Communities and Residential Aged Care Services across NSW/ACT delivered via a significant property portfolio across these geographies.

From 2009-14 Scott was Operations Manager (Property) at Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets, where he was responsible for operational facilities management across the organisation’s education facilities, outreach centres and residential care facilities that served some of the most vulnerable members of the Australian community.

In her role as Executive Director, Research Services, Natalie brings a wealth of knowledge in research administration, garnered over 25 years of service in the medical research sector. Natalie has worked in varied roles supporting research management both in Melbourne and Sydney. As Executive Director, she leads the Research Services team here at the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research. She and her team continue to design, develop and streamline systems that will reduce the administrative burden associated with conducting research.

More recently in her role as Executive Director, Research Services, she has provided leadership in the development, delivery and implementation of the Institutes’ research strategy and developed strategies for a number of internal initiatives. These initiatives collectively challenge current behaviours to optimise research performance and infrastructure support across the Institute, including optimising the delivery of research services, coordination of existing and new systems and establishing and implementing the Institutes’ research performance.

Natalie has led teams and stakeholders to deliver large submissions to state and federal government.  In particular, her role in the Institute’s strategic review involved extensive engagement with researchers, research support staff as well as external partners and stakeholders in order to best capture research impact.

Natalie is committed to building and supporting organisational excellence and innovation in medical research. She is inspired by the challenges faced by the medical research sector and is continually striving to make a difference in the area of research support. Natalie is driven to bridge the gap between research and ‘management’ in a way that supports the researchers to focus on what they do best – that being research, continually reducing the burden that comes with conducting research.

Luisa joined the Ingham Institute in 2017 at a time of expansion. In her capacity as Chief Financial Officer, she is responsible for overseeing and managing the Institute’s financial operations. Along with a strong finance team, she supports the Institute’s researchers and other stakeholders with financial management and control and is responsible for ensuring financial processing and reporting compliance across the Institute’s expanding business model.

Luisa has extensive financial experience in a variety of sectors, including service, private equity, information technology, wholesale, and logistics. She has had success throughout her career in simplifying procedures and putting in place strict financial controls to guarantee financial compliance. As a manager, Luisa has contributed to the overall success of the companies she has worked with and is also accountable for the smooth implementation of improvements to accounting systems.

Luisa graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), subsequently earning a Master of Business Administration. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Law and is a qualified CPA.

You can contact Natasa on: 02 8738 9124 or natasa.lojanica@inghaminstitute.org.au

Ingham Institute Research Leadership Committee

Professor Les Bokey  AM., M.S., F. R.A.C.S., F.R.C.S.  (Glas.) (Hon.) is Foundation Professor of Surgery and Clinical Dean, Western Sydney University at Liverpool Hospital.  He is the Director of Research for the South Western Sydney Local Health District, Institute Director at The Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research amd Director of Surgery at Liverpool Hospital. His research interests include screening, and early diagnosis of bowel cancer, outcomes after surgery for bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, robotics and automation in health.  He is the Director of The South Western Institute for Robotics and Automation in Health (SWIRAH).  His expertise and technical innovations, especially in rectal cancer surgery, are acknowledged internationally.

Professor Bokey has worked at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.  Before joining Western Sydney University, he was Head of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Associate Dean of Surgical Sciences at Sydney University.

In 2016, he was appointed Interim Director of ‘Maridulu Budyari Gumal’ The Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research & Enterprise (SPHERE) and was instrumental in fostering clinical academic groups across the partnership which subsequently led to NHMRC AHRTC accreditation of SPHERE.

He has been awarded The Order of Australia Medal for service to medicine as colorectal surgeon and establishment of surgical education programs, research, and medical administration. He has received several honorary degrees from various International Universities and Societies.

Professor Hyett trained in obstetrics, maternal and foetal medicine in the UK before working in Australia. He has led research groups which with a strong clinical focus and a continual dedication to research to maintain the highest standards of obstetric care. His main research interest is to predict the risk of pregnancy complication, either at an early stage (12 weeks), or immediately before delivery (at 36 weeks). He is currently leading the SWS Obstetric Research Unit to conduct research that predicts the risk of pre-eclampsia, a disease harmful to both the mother and foetus. If a risk is found at 12 weeks’ pregnancy, simple treatments like aspirin may prevent the onset of this disease

Professor Parsons is an internationally recognised leader in Stroke Medicine and a highly sought-after speaker, instructor and mentor, both nationally and internationally, in all aspects of clinical Neuroscience. He has just been appointed as Professor of Medicine and Neurology at UNSW South Western Sydney Clinical School. He remains as Professor in Neurology in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne. Most recently he was Director of the Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital. He is also a Conjoint Professor of Neurology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Newcastle and a Visiting Professor at Fudan University, Shanghai.

Sarah Dennis is an Associate Professor in the Discipline of Physiotherapy, University of Sydney and Associate Professor of Allied Health in South Western Sydney LHD. She is a member of the Respiratory Medicine research stream in the Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research and also holds a conjoint position with the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (CPHCE) at UNSW. Her research and teaching expertise is in the prevention, diagnosis and management of chronic disease in primary care. Her research has focused on chronic disease management in primary care, integration of care, eHealth, health literacy and the role of and access to allied health.

Professor Chow holds senior executive positions and portfolio in NSW Health which has influenced government policy and clinical practice through roles on State Clinical Networks (Chair and/or members of Peak Committees), The HOME Network (Chair) and The International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis Nursing Liaison Committee (Member).

Professor Chow is the Director of Strategy and Partnerships at SWSLHD and provides leadership in defining the strategic course for the District ensuring a sharp focus on long term strategic priorities and that shorter-term plans are aligned with these directions with overall responsibility for the day to day management of the Clinical Innovation and Business Unit.

In many ways, her translational research and implementation work have had major impacts on policy and clinical practice.

Pro Vice Chancellor, Health and Medicine, and Executive Dean of Medicine at Western Sydney University and Charles Sturt University Joint Program in Medicine

Professor Martin Gallagher is Head of the Clinical School and Precinct in South Western Sydney for the University of New South Wales, and a Clinical Academic in Renal Medicine at Liverpool Hospital. Prior to taking up his current role, he was a Clinical Academic at Concord Hospital and the University of Sydney. He completed a Harkness Fellowship at Yale University in 2009-10 and his research interests encompass acute kidney injury, clinical trials and renal epidemiology. He’s led a team of clinical renal researchers at the George Institute for Global Health, along with international collaborators.

Martin has also made important policy contributions to healthcare, including leading national evidence implementation projects, leading elements of the Australian Governments National Chronic Disease Strategy and projecting the future burden of kidney disease. He has been Departmental Head at two renal units, held senior committee roles within the Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology and led major clinical trials.

 

Professor Apte is internationally acknowledged as a leading researcher in the fields of alcohol-induced pancreatic injury, pancreatic fibrogenesis and stromal-tumour interactions in pancreatic cancer.

Professor of Medicine and Director, Pancreatic Research Group, UNSW Sydney

An internationally renowned medical researcher into pancreatic disease, Professor Minoti Apte’s contribution to the University of New South Wales and the wider community extends well beyond her laboratory. In 2014, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia and she received the 2015 NSW Premier’s Award for Woman of the Year, in recognition of her contribution to medical research, tertiary education and the community. Most recently, her work in pancreatic cancer research was recognised with the Professor Rob Sutherland Make a Difference Award presented at part of the Cancer Institute NSW 2016 Premier’s Awards for Outstanding Cancer Research. In 2017, she was awarded the Lady Mary Fairfax Distinguished researcher Award by the Ingham Institute.

A Professor of Medicine and Director of the Pancreatic Research Group at UNSW, Prof Apte is internationally acknowledged as a leading researcher in the field of pancreatic injury and is particularly recognised for her pioneering work in pancreatic fibrogenesis, having been the first in the world to develop a method to isolate and culture pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs).

Her Group was the first in the world to establish the role of these cells in the scar tissue of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. This scar tissue is responsible for significant pancreatic dysfunction and for cancer progression. Her group was also the first in the world to show that the pancreatic stellate cell helped pancreatic cancers grow and spread, and she is currently leading pre-clinical studies of a new combination therapy to help improve treatment outcomes. Professor has published over 120 research papers, and her work has received over 6400 citations. She is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Pancreatology, one of the two leading specialist journals in the field.

Professor Apte served as postgraduate coordinator within the South Western Sydney Clinical School from 2001-2016, where she nurtured the talent of our PhD, Masters and Honours students, in addition to direct supervision of her own higher degree students. She has served/serves at senior levels on several key committees within the University as well as on committees of national and international organisations relevant to her Discipline, including the GESA Research Committee.

In addition to her role within UNSW Medicine and the wider discipline of Pancreatology, Professor Apte is an active member of the Marathi Association of Sydney, which serves Sydney’s large Indian population. She is an accomplished Indian classical dancer and choreographer, and has served on the Association’s organising committee, provided programs for community radio, plays an active role organising and performing in cultural events and provides mentorship and career advice to new migrants in her community.

Lois Holloway leads the medical physics group at the Ingham Institute and Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy centres. She has a long interest in mathematical modelling for radiotherapy and is excited by ongoing developments and opportunities in both imaging and machine learning in this area. She leads the OzCAT (Computer Assisted Theragnostics) working to link distributed datasets to develop prognostic models for radiotherapy, particularly for situations where randomised clinical trial evidence is limited.

Professor C. Soon Lee, MBBS (Melb), MD (Melb), FRCPA, FRCPath (UK), MIAC, AFRACMA

Prof Lee is the Foundation Professor and Chair of Pathology at Western Sydney University. He is also Clinical Professor at University of Sydney, Conjoint Professor at University of New South Wales, and Senior Pathologist at Liverpool Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Prof Lee is a certified pathologist for genomics testing and heads the Molecular Pathology Service at Liverpool Hospital that provides diagnostic molecular testing for patients from Sydney South West Local Health District, St George and Wollongong Hospitals.

Prof Lee’s research interests include genomics and biomarkers of colorectal, lung and head and neck cancers. He heads the Cancer Pathology and Cell Biology Laboratory, Ingham Institute. His research group has made significant contributions that have influenced and led to changes in the clinical practice of pathology including the detection of EGFR and HPV in head and neck cancers, detection of the human herpes virus 8 in the diagnosis of early stage Kaposi’s sarcoma, and the use of the EWS/FLI1 fusion transcript in the diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma.

He has published over 210 original research articles in international peer-reviewed journals with over 8,400 citations for his publications; and an H-index of 53. Professor Lee has mentored and graduated over 20 higher degree students, many of whom have gone on to forge successful careers as Professors, Associate Professors and Heads of Departments.

Prof Lee was the recipient of the 2017 Lady Mary Fairfax Distinguished Researcher Award and the 2018 Distinguished Pathologist Award of the International Academy of Pathology. He was previous Editor of the journal, Pathology (2000-2009) and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Pathology (2010-2016). He holds international appointments as the Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the Graduate Medical School, Duke University-National University of Singapore (since 2015) and Visiting Professor and International Advisor at Sunway University in Malaysia (since 2017).