Melanoma researcher Dr Rawson takes out Rising Star PhD Candidate Award

December 17, 2024 by Kristy Waddell Leave a Comment

Congratulations to Dr Robert Rawson, winner of the 2024 Rising Star PhD Candidate Award which was announced at the recent NSW Premier’s Awards for Outstanding Cancer Research.

Dr Rawson works for NSW Health Pathology in Sydney as a Tissue Pathology Staff Specialist at Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Regarded as a global expert in this area of melanoma, his work is shaping the future of melanoma treatment and helping clinicians deliver patients the most appropriate care for their cancer.

Dr Rawson is completing his PhD as a part-time student whilst holding a full-time position as a Senior Staff Specialist pathologist.

“The focus of my research project conducted as part of my postgraduate studies is to accurately determine the pathological response to neoadjuvant immunotherapy for primary and metastatic melanoma,” Dr Rawson said.

“This work allows clinicians to either deescalate or change therapy depending on the type and degree of response to the treatment administered and provides a more personalised cancer treatment plan for patients, with the aim to deliver the most appropriate care for better health outcomes”.

Dr Rawson has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and frequently presents at local and international meetings. He has an impressive track record of research for his stage of career, with more than 50 publications of original research to date.

Winners of the 2025 NSW Premier's Award for Cancer Research — Winners of the 2025 NSW Premier’s Award for Cancer Research.

Dr Laveniya Satgunaseelan, Staff Specialist Neuropathologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital was also a finalist in the PhD Rising Star category and is supervised by Professor Ruta Gupta, Director of NSW Health Pathology’s Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology Department at RPA Hospital.

Dr Satgunaseelan’s thesis focuses on genomic drivers of oral squamous cell carcinoma in young patients.

The Rising Star PhD Candidate Award honours an exceptional PhD Candidate who is making significant progress in their research and showing the potential to make an impact in any field of cancer research.

You can see the full list of award winners here. Also attending the prestigious event was NSW Health Pathology’s Prof Richard Scolyer, who was invited to present the awards as a Co-Australian of the Year, along with Prof Georgina Long.

Congratulations Dr Rawson and Dr Satgunaseelan on this incredible achievement.

We’re proud to see you both recognised for your innovative cancer research.

Mark Dean calls time after a remarkable career in haematology and transfusion

December 16, 2024 by Liz Farquhar Leave a Comment

Transfusion Clinical Stream Lead Assoc Prof Mark Dean will walk out the doors of the Gosford Hospital Laboratory for the last time this month after a career that started in 1986 as an intern at Westmead Hospital.

Coming up as a young doctor, a career in pathology was never at the front of Mark’s mind.

“As a junior doctor, I kept on being rotated through haematology terms. I had never really thought of doing this as a specialty but fell in love with caring for the patients,” he said.

“It is also a specialty where you can then diagnose the problem. I was lucky to have a rotation as a registrar through the Red Cross, and that started my passion for blood transfusion.”

After working at Concord Hospital for a few years, Mark decided to pursue the passion he developed as an intern and joined the NSW Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service as the Assistant Director – a position he held for the next 8 years.

In 2001, Mark made a move to the pathology laboratory at Gosford Hospital where he would spend the rest of his career. He embraced numerous leadership positions during this time from Laboratory Director for Central Coast to chairing the local Blood Transfusion Committee, as well as chairing the Pathology North Transfusion and Haematology Discipline Advisory Committee.

For the past 10 years, Mark has been the Transfusion Clinical Stream lead playing a vital role in developing standardised transfusion labs throughout the early years of NSW Health Pathology and beyond.

“I am very proud that we now have agreed NSW Health Pathology procedures and policies in place that cover the vast majority of our work,” he said.

Looking back on his career, Mark’s most fulfilling experiences were working with staff at NSW Health Pathology who were dedicated to creating and maintaining a high-quality service for patients throughout NSW.

“I think some of the most rewarding highlights recently have been seeing the commitment of our transfusion staff in coming together so we can provide the best possible transfusion service for our patients.

“It is so good to see this involvement, especially as we move to the implementation of our statewide laboratory information system.”

As for retirement plans, Mark is most excited at the prospect of getting to spend more time with his family and grandchildren, as well as pursuing his other passion of landscape and drone photography and is hoping to start delving into the fascinating world of astrophotography.

Congratulations Mark on an incredible career, you will be missed!

Ticked off: the tiny terror of the bush

December 6, 2024 by Liz Farquhar Leave a Comment

Did you know that a small creature found along the eastern coast of Australia can be deadly? With its bite, it can harm humans and pets, trigger a red-meat allergy, and even spread a life-threatening disease.

Meet Ixodes holocyclus, also known as the Australian Paralysis Tick.

From September to December, you’re most likely to encounter it in its most dangerous form.

A female paralysis tick on a leaf. — An adult female paralysis tick.

The paralysis tick is often encountered by people exploring the Australian bush, especially in moister coastal forests. It has four stages: egg, tiny six-legged larvae (known as the ‘seed’ or ‘grass’ tick), eight-legged nymph, and eight-legged adult.

The 1mm-long larval stage is most active in autumn, the 2mm nymph in winter, and the 4mm adult in spring. Since the adult is larger, it poses the greatest risk.

When a tick bites, it inserts needle-like mouthparts and injects venom in its saliva. If left attached, this can lead to paralysis, and in the past, has even caused fatalities. Repeated bites can lead to severe allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Ticks can also transmit a compound called alpha-gal, which can make you allergic to red meat from animals like cows, pigs, and sheep. Symptoms of this allergy can include stomach aches, bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Ticks are also known to transmit Rickettsia, a bacterial organism treatable with antibiotics. If you develop a fever, rash, or other symptoms following a tick bite, consult your doctor immediately.

Small larval ticks on a leaf. — The tiny six-legged larvae (known as the ‘seed’ or ‘grass’ tick).

How can you avoid the paralysis tick?

A man sitting in a laboratory — Stephen Doggett in his medical entomology laboratory at Westmead.

Stephen Doggett, Director of Medical Entomology at NSW Health Pathology, recommends avoiding tick-prone areas, especially after rain, when ticks are most active.

If you do venture into these areas, apply a repellent with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow reapplication instructions and any safety precautions. Wearing clothing treated with permethrin, which can be done with store-bought kits or pre-treated clothing, adds extra protection.

When you return home, remove clothing, and place into a hot dryer cycle to kill any ticks that may still be present. Carefully inspect yourself and your children for any signs of ticks.

What should you do if you find a tick?

An engorged female tick — An engorged female paralysis tick.

Avoid touching it or pulling it out with tweezers, as this can cause it to inject more venom (remember, tweezers are tick squeezers!). Instead, kill the tick while it’s still attached by dabbing it with a permethrin-based cream or spraying it with an ether-based spray used for treating warts, both available over the counter at pharmacies.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, it’s best to see your GP, who can safely treat the tick and ensure your wellbeing.

Stay tick-safe and enjoy your time in the bush with peace of mind!

Want more information? Check out the NSW Health website.

NSW Perinatal Postmortem Service hits the road

November 27, 2024 by Tina Sorenso Leave a Comment

We welcome the chance to share the expertise of our specialised statewide services with colleagues in rural and remote NSW.

Our statewide Perinatal Postmortem Service recently hit the road to deliver new face-to-face training for the Broken Hill and Dubbo maternity units.

The service provides compassionate support and answers for families experiencing the death of a baby shortly before or after birth.

It helps hundreds of NSW families each year from 3 specialised centres at Westmead, Randwick and Newcastle, which for some, is a long way away at such a difficult time.

Recognising this, Fiona O’Shannessy, an expert midwife from our Newcastle service, is bringing face-to-face training to midwives, doctors, and social workers at rural and regional hospital maternity units.

“It was a valuable opportunity to meet staff and build relationships with the clinicians who use our service,” Fiona said.

“Rural hospitals face different challenges than metropolitan centres, not the least of which is the distances families must travel to access healthcare.

“When a pregnancy ends in bereavement, these distances create an additional burden. Knowing who to reach out to and how we can help during such challenging times is reassuring for all involved.”

At Broken Hill, Fiona worked with staff to develop resources and review procedures, including transport to Children’s Hospital Westmead. Although it was a busy day at the hospital there was a fantastic turnout for both sessions, highlighting the commitment of the staff to ongoing learning.

At Dubbo, Fiona provided education to a large group of midwives emphasising the importance of collaboration in providing the best care. Fiona also had the opportunity to meet senior staff, which allowed for further discussions on improving services. Further education is planned via Teams to ensure all staff can benefit from these education opportunities.

More visits to other areas across NSW are planned for 2025 to improve support for staff and families in rural communities. These visits pave the way for improved connections and understanding within the healthcare system of the perinatal postmortem.

Hard work pays off for Abigail and Mandy – our newest RCPA Clinical Scientist Trainees

November 25, 2024 by Kristy Waddell Leave a Comment

A big congratulations to Abigail Elias and Mandy Hubbard, the first Clinical Scientist trainees in Haematology who recently passed their Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) Fellowship FSC Part II examinations.

Not for the faint-hearted, this achievement is the culmination of four years of hard work undertaking robust advanced training in haematology, including transfusion.

They have gained in-depth knowledge and expertise and demonstrates NSW Health Pathology’s (NSWHP) commitment to developing our scientific leaders.

Abigail is a Trainee Clinical Scientist based at NSWHP’s Liverpool Laboratory in the Haematology Department. Her RCPA training is in haematology and transfusion.

“The training program digs deeper and equips you with more knowledge in both areas, and has cemented my knowledge of all testing areas in haematology and transfusion. Being able to write and publish in reputable journals and communicating my work with all scientific professionals was an icing on the cake,” she said.

Abigail said it wasn’t without challenges, as she juggled fellowship study with work and family life, but it was worth it.

“There is a really high workload so it requires good time management and dedication. There would be sleepless nights at times and a lot of writing, but I always believe that you need to finish what you have started, even when the going is tough.

“The knowledge you get from training and working in different areas is priceless. The program has rewarded me with new friends and has given me the opportunity to meet other reputable scientists and clinicians in the organisation and nationwide.”

Mandy is a Senior Scientist in Haematology, based at NSWHP’s lab at Coffs Harbour Base Hospital. She said the Clinical Scientist traineeship has been a wonderful experience.

“It’s not only increased my knowledge base, but it has also allowed me to meet and work with various talented scientists within our organisation. As a trainee based in a regional area, I was required to travel to various location experiencing the diversity of laboratories and their management styles in places like John Hunter, Liverpool, Prince of Wales and Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals,” she said.

Mandy was grateful for the support of many supervisors and mentors.

“In particular, I would like to acknowledge my supervisors Dr Martin Browne and Dr Anoop Enjeti, who have been instrumental in guiding me through this process. I’m also grateful to the people I work with at Coffs Harbour who have supported me,” Mandy said.

Abigail and Mandy encouraged anyone who is considering the RCPA FSC Fellowship to go for it.

“All you need is passion and dedication, as you would get help from other trainees, scientists, RCPA and NSWHP,” Abigail said.

Mandy’s tip was to reach out to anyone else at NSWHP who was completing the program, as they can be your new friend and study-buddy.

“Having Abigail as this person has been priceless and I am forever grateful for her knowledge, experience and encouragement. The Clinical Scientists that you will meet will be like a new family, people that understand the challenges and demands of this training, and who are always willing to help,” she said.

Abigial was grateful to her support crew who cheered her on and helped keep her motivated.

“Thank you so much to my supervisor Dr Penelope Motum, for helping and supporting me to achieve this and I will forever be grateful for mentoring and trusting in me. Thank you so much to my partner in training, Mandy Hubbard from NSWHP’s Coffs Harbour Laboratory. I wouldn’t have achieved this without your help. Our endless meetings and hard work have paid off. Finally, a huge thank you to all Liverpool Haematology and Transfusion staff for assisting with my training,” Abigail said.

Abigail and Mandy were also grateful for the support of NSWHP’s Director of Scientific and Technical, Vanessa Thomson.

“Vanessa for her support in all the areas of our training – your belief in empowering scientific leaders is admirable and thank you for always being there whenever I needed your advice,” Abigail said.

“Vanessa’s belief in the ability of Clinical Scientists and the way that we can contribute to our organisation continues to motivate me,” said Mandy.

Abigial and Mandy agreed it’s been fantastic to learn about the various Haematology departments, making new friends, exchanging ideas with other scientists, contributing to various research projects and showing that completing this program is also possible for scientists no matter if you live in metropolitan or rural and regional sites.

Well done to Abigail and Mandy. Your hard work and dedication has paid off and we look forward to seeing what you do next!

What causes the itch in mozzie bites? And why do some people get such a bad reaction?

November 15, 2024 by Liz Farquhar Leave a Comment

Are you one of those people who loathes spending time outdoors at dusk as the weather warms and mosquitoes start biting?

Female mosquitoes need blood to develop their eggs. Even though they take a tiny amount of our blood, they can leave us with itchy red lumps that can last days. And sometimes something worse.

So why does our body react and itch after being bitten by a mosquito? And why are some people more affected than others?

What happens when a mosquito bites?

Mosquitoes are attracted to warm blooded animals, including us. They’re attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale, our body temperatures and, most importantly, the smell of our skin.

The chemical cocktail of odours from bacteria and sweat on our skin sends out a signal to hungry mosquitoes.

Some people’s skin smells more appealing to mosquitoes, and they’re more likely to be bitten than others.

Once the mosquito has made its way to your skin, things get a little gross.

The mosquito pierces your skin with their “proboscis”, their feeding mouth part. But the proboscis isn’t a single, straight, needle-like tube. There are multiple tubes, some designed for sucking and some for spitting.

Once their mouth parts have been inserted into your skin, the mosquito will inject some saliva. This contains a mix of chemicals that gets the blood flowing better.

There has even been a suggestion that future medicines could be inspired by the anti-blood clotting properties of mosquito saliva.

A pale brown mosquito — A common pest mosquito around the world, *Culex quinquefasciatus*.
Cameron Webb (NSW Health Pathology), CC BY

It’s not the stabbing of our skin by the mosquito’s mouth parts that hurts, it’s the mozzie spit our bodies don’t like.

Are some people allergic to mosquito spit?

Once a mosquito has injected their saliva into our skin, a variety of reactions can follow. For the lucky few, nothing much happens at all.

For most people, and irrespective of the type of mosquito biting, there is some kind of reaction. Typically there is redness and swelling of the skin that appears within a few hours, but often more quickly, after just a few minutes.

Occasionally, the reaction can cause pain or discomfort. Then comes the itchiness.

Some people do suffer severe reactions to mosquito bites. It’s a condition often referred to as “skeeter syndrome” and is an allergic reaction caused by the protein in the mosquito’s saliva. This can cause large areas of swelling, blistering and fever.

The chemistry of mosquito spit hasn’t really been well studied. But it has been shown that, for those who do suffer allergic reactions to their bites, the reactions may differ depending on the type of mosquito biting.

We all probably get more tolerant of mosquito bites as we get older. Young children are certainly more likely to suffer more following mosquito bites. But as we get older, the reactions are less severe and may pass quickly without too much notice.

How best to treat the bites?

Research into treating bites has yet to provide a single easy solution.

There are many myths and home remedies about what works. But there is little scientific evidence supporting their use.

The best way to treat mosquito bites is by applying a cold pack to reduce swelling and to keep the skin clean to avoid any secondary infections. Antiseptic creams and lotions may also help.

There is some evidence that heat may alleviate some of the discomfort.

It’s particularly tough to keep young children from scratching at the bite and breaking the skin. This can form a nasty scab that may end up being worse than the bite itself.

Applying an anti-itch cream may help. If the reactions are severe, antihistamine medications may be required.

To save the scratching, stop the bites

Of course, it’s better not to be bitten by mosquitoes in the first place. Topical insect repellents are a safe, effective and affordable way to reduce mosquito bites.

Covering up with loose fitted long sleeved shirts, long pants and covered shoes also provides a physical barrier.

Mosquito coils and other devices can also assist, but should not be entirely relied on to stop bites.

There’s another important reason to avoid mosquito bites: millions of people around the world suffer from mosquito-borne diseases. More than half a million people die from malaria each year.

In Australia, Ross River virus infects more than 5,000 people every year. And in recent years, there have been cases of serious illnesses caused by Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses.

By Cameron Webb, Medical Entomologist, NSW Health Pathology and Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.