Research Leaders

  • Clinical fellows

    • Dr Justine Bhar-Amato, Malaysia; 2025
    • Hidehiro Iwakawa, Japan, 2025
    • Dr SaiKiran Kakarla, India; 2025
    • Dr Melanie Gunawardene, Germany; 2025
    • Dr Monika Gawalko, Poland; 2025
    • Dr Sanjai Pattu Valappil, India; 2024
    • Dr Alessandra Pina, MBBS, Monza, Italy; 2024
    • Dr Mohamed Abbas, MBBS, London, UK; 2024
    • Dr Mohanraj Jayakumar, MBBS, Malaysia; 2023
    • Dr Shaun Evans, MBBS, Adelaide; 2023
  • Current PhD students

    The Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders has multiple PhD students undertaking projects across a diversity of topics.

    • Dr Melanie Gunawardene, MD, (Germany). Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: P Sanders, M Middeldorp, A Elliott; 2025-current.
    • Dr Sanjai Pattu Valappil, MD, (India).  Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: P Sanders, J Ariyaratnam, J Varzaly; 2024-current.
    • Dr Alessandra Pina, MD, (Italy). Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: P Sanders, M Middeldorp, J Ariyaratnam; 2024-current.
    • Dr Mohammad Abbas, MBBS, (United Kingdom). Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: P Sanders, A Elliott, J Ariyaratnam; 2024-current.
    • Dr Elnaz Shahmohamadi, MBBS, (Iran). Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: P Sanders, M Middeldorp; 2024-current.
    • Mrs Jenelle Dziano, BClinExPhys, (Australia). Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: A Elliott, P Sanders, M Middeldorp; 2023-current.
    • Mr Jackson Howie, MClinExPhys, (Australia). Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: A Elliott, P Sanders, M Middeldorp; 2023-current.
    • Dr Shaun Evans, MBBS, (Australia). Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: P Sanders, M Middeldorp; 2023-current.
    • Mr Mohan Jayakumar, MBBS, (Malayasia). Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: P Sanders, M Middeldorp, A Elliott; 2023-current.
    • Dr Suraya Kamsani, MBBS, (Malaysia). Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: P Sanders, M Middeldorp; 2023-current.
    • Mr Samuel Tu, MBBS, (Australia). Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: C Wong, P Sanders, C Gallagher; 2020-current.
    • Dr Michael Stokes, MBBS. (Australia) Doctoral Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia. Supervisors: P Sanders, D Lau, D Kaye; 2017-current
    • Samuel TuLifestyle and risk factors in atrial fibrillationSupervisors: Assoc Prof C Wong, Prof P Sanders, Dr C Gallagher
  • Research staff

    The Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders runs numerous clinical studies. These studies are overseen by our group of clinical trials coordinators.

    Clinical Trials Project Manager:      

    • Mrs: Simi Khan
    • Ms. Katherine Duszynski

    Clinical Trials Assistants:                   

    • Ms. Stephenie Kong
    • Mr. Leense Mathew
    • Mr. Saxson West
    • Mr. Jesse Sanders
    • Ms. Catherine Dimasi
    • Ms. Vishva Patel
    • Mr. Trey Wallace
    • Mr. Flynn Kerr
    • Mr. Nathan Williams
    • Mr. Toan Nguyen
    • Ms. Keren Stuart
    • Ms. Thaniya Nesakumar
  • Scientific officers

    • Judith Harrington - EP Nurse Manager
    • Lauren Wilson - EP Technical Manager
    • Kristy Dawson - Senior Cardiac Sonographer
    • Alice Rainsford - Senior Cardiac Sonographer
    • Lauren Ruiz - Senior Cardiac Sonographer
    • Elena Pancewicz - Senior Cardiac Sonographer
  • Administrators

    • Adrian Catalano - Executive Assistant for Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders
    • Denae Schmidtke - Deputy Executive Assistant for CHRD