Westmead Applied Research Centre - The University of Sydney
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Facts & figures

We have achieved:

  • > 611 publications
  • $38 million in research funding
  • > 16k research participants
  • 110 active projects
  • 24 current HDR students
  • 130 external partners
  • > 6.9k media mentions
Centres and institutes_

Westmead Applied Research Centre

Clinical and digital health approaches to cardiometabolic and chronic conditions
The Westmead Applied Research Centre (WARC) celebrates a research approach that thinks and acts flexibly, aims to do more with less, embraces technology in health care, sees co-design and partnership as necessities for translation and impact, and consistently views its activities through the lens of value and equity.

What is the Westmead Applied Research Centre?

Presented by Professor Clara Chow

Almost half of Australians have chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes and mental health conditions. One in four has at least two of these illnesses, and these conditions frequently share common causes.

In western Sydney these chronic illnesses are more prevalent and the region's diverse community presents a range of complex health needs and social circumstances.

The Westmead Applied Research Centre (WARC) was established by the University of Sydney in collaboration with the Western Sydney Local Health District, to specifically address the causes of chronic disease, with a focus on translational research that addresses the specific needs and circumstances of patients in western Sydney.

WARC is made up of multidisciplinary experts who aim to prevent chronic diseases and their progression by focusing on applied clinical research that will:

  • help patients self-manage their condition/s
  • provide education and support through digital health interventions.

Our aim is to create, evaluate and apply innovative clinical and digital health approaches to reduce the burden of cardiometabolic and other chronic conditions. Our core values are innovation, frugality, co-design and value-based care.

Our people

  • Professor Clara Chow AM, Academic Director (Annelise Barkhuizen, Executive Assistant to Director & Communications)
  • Dr Marina Ali, Centre Manager
  • Craig Shuard, Research Administration Manager
  • Simone Marschner, Senior Biostatistician
  • Vishal Gopal, Clinical Trials Services Manager
  • Rahul Sathiaraj, Digital Health Project Manager

 

  • Richard Bennett – PhD candidate, supervised by Stuart Thomas & Saurabh Kumar
  • Ashwin Bhaskaran – PhD candidate, supervised by Eddy Kizana & Saurabh Kumar
  • Timothy Campbell – MPhil candidate, supervised by Eddy Kizana & Saurabh Kumar
  • Rebecca Chen - PhD candidate, supervised by Clara Chow, Heiko Spallek, Woosung Sohn & Michelle Irving
  • Cellina Ching – MPhil candidate, supervised by Wah Cheung & Clara Chow
  • Lauren Church – PhD candidate, supervised by Joerg Eberhard & Shalinie King
  • Quan Dang – PhD candidate, supervised by Sarah Zaman
  • Kasun de Silva – PhD candidate, supervised by Stuart Thomas & Saurabh Kumar
  • Kartheek Garikapati – MPhil candidate, supervised by Saurabh Kumar
  • Samia Kazi – MPhil candidate, supervised by James Chong & Clara Chow
  • Rukmini Kulkarni – MPhil candidate, supervised by Aravinda Thiagalingam & Clara Cow
  • Simone Marschner – PhD candidate, supervised by Clara Chow and Wah Cheung
  • Daniel McIntyre - PhD candidate, supervised by Clara Chow & Aravinda Thiagalingam
  • Sonali Munot - PhD candidate, supervised by Clara Chow & Julie Redfern
  • Anushriya Pant - PhD candidate, supervised by Sarah Zaman & Clara Chow
  • Brodie Sheahen – PhD candidate, supervised by Clara Chow, Tim Shaw & Liliana Laranjo
  • Annika Smith – PhD candidate, supervised by Pablo Fernandez-Penas & Clara Chow
  • Hyong Ly Tong - PhD candidate, supervised by Liliana Laranjo & Clara Chow
  • Ritu Trivedi – PhD candidate, supervised by Liliana Laranjo & Clara Chow
  • Amy von Huben - PhD candidate, supervised by Kirsten Howard & Clara Chow
  • Edwina Wing Lun - PhD candidate, supervised by Clara Chow & Sarah Zaman
  • Kam Wong - PhD candidate, supervised by Clara Chow, Cindy Kok & Tim Usherwood
  • Dr Kam Cheong Wong - PhD candidate, supervised by Timothy Usherwood, Clara Chow, Cindy Kok & Tu Nguyen
  • Wei Jin Wong – PhD candidate, supervised by Tu Nguyen

Westmead Research and Innovation Conference 2022

We caught up with WARC Director & Westmead Hospital cardiologist Clara Chow.  Here's her thoughts on the importance of frugal digital health innovation + research, & she doesn't miss a beat.

World Heart Day 2022

For World Heart Day 2022 we had some of our current PhD students explain why they are doing research in cardiovascular disease.

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