About

Donna Rudd lectures in the areas of Clinical Biochemistry, Laboratory Management and Medical Laboratory Science in the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences. She has background in Medical Laboratory Science and has completed a PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology.  

Donna has been working in public and private pathology and education roles throughout north Queensland since 1993 and prior to this, worked in Sydney.

Donna's research interests include all things chemical pathology but particularly diagnostics and the translation of biomarkers into clinical practice. Her current projects include development and translation of novel biomarkers for the investigation of renal disease in collaboration with the NICU at TTH, subarachinoid haemorhage  and pregnancy dysfunction.

Teaching
  • BC2013: Principles of Biochemistry (Level 2; TSV)
  • BC2024: Principles of Molecular Cell Biology (Level 2; TSV)
  • BC3101: Genes, Genomes and Development (Level 3; TSV)
  • BC5101: Advanced Genes, Genomes and Development (Level 5; TSV)
  • BM1000: Introductory Biochemistry and Microbiology (Level 1; CNS & TSV)
  • BM1001: Introduction to Biomedicine (Level 1; TSV)
  • BM1002: Anatomy and Physiology 1 (Level 1; TSV)
  • BM1003: Biomedicine in the Tropics (Level 1; TSV)
  • BM1011: Physiological Systems and Processes 1 (Level 1; CNS & TSV)
  • BM5001: Professional Placement 1 (Level 5; TSV)
  • BM5002: Professional Placement 2 (Level 5; TSV)
  • BM5003: Clinical Measurements 1 (Level 5; TSV)
  • HS2402: Health Professional Research 1 (Level 2; CNS & TSV)
  • MD2011: Integrated Human System Pathophysiology Part 1 of 2 (Level 2; TSV)
  • MI2011: Microbial Ecology (Level 2; TSV)
  • MI3021: Clinical Microbiology 1 (Level 3; TSV)
  • MI3051: Clinical Microbiology 2 (Level 3; TSV)
  • MI3061: Advanced Immunobiology (Level 3; TSV)
  • MI3071: Molecular Analysis of Tropical Microbes (Level 3; TSV)
  • MI5021: Advanced Clinical Microbiology 1 (Level 5; TSV)
  • MI5061: Advanced Immunology (Level 5; TSV)
  • MI5071: Molecular Analysis of Tropical Microbes (Level 5; TSV)
  • ML3102: Professional Practice, LaboratoryManagement and Quality Assurance (Level 3; TSV)
  • ML5102: Advanced Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance (Level 5; TSV)
  • ML5301: Advanced Clinical Biochemistry 1 (Level 5; TSV)
  • ML5302: Advanced Clinical Biochemistry 2 (Level 5; TSV)
  • ML5303: Advanced Clinical Placement 1 (Level 5; TSV)
  • ML5305: Advanced Immunohaematology (Level 5; TSV)
  • ML5307: Advanced Haematology 1 (Level 5; TSV)
  • ML5308: Advanced Haematology 2 (Level 5; TSV)
  • ML5309: Advanced Histology and Cytology Techniques (Level 5; TSV)
  • PP2101: Medical Physiology 1 (Level 2; TSV)
  • PP2150: Introduction to Medical Pharmacology (Level 2; TSV)
  • PP2201: Medical Physiology 2 (Level 2; TSV)
  • PP3101: Advanced and Integrated Physiology (Level 3; TSV)
  • PP3151: General Pathobiology (Level 3; TSV)
  • PP3251: Systemic Pathophysiology and Therapeutics (Level 3; TSV)
  • PP5101: Advanced and Integrated Physiology (Level 5; TSV)
  • PP5251: Systemic Pathophysiology and Therapeutics (Level 5; TSV)
  • TV1102: Cell Biology and Biochemistry for Veterinary Science and Agriculture (Level 1; TSV)
Interests
Research
  • Biomarkers
  • Indigenous Health
  • Diagnosis of renal disease
  • Diagnostics
  • Pathology Utilization
  • Microbiome
Experience
  • 2020 to present - Associate Professor, James Cook University (Townsville)
  • 2014 to 2019 - Senior Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)
  • 2013 to 2014 - Supervising Scientist Chemical Pathology, Pathology QLD (Townsville)
  • 2002 to 2013 - Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)
  • 1993 to 2002 - Senior Scientist, Townsville Pathology (Townsville)
  • 1985 to 1993 - Scientist, Sugerman's Pathology (Sydney)
Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
Honours
Awards
  • 2020 - Australian Institute of Medical Scientists Merit Award
  • 2014 - Australian Award for University Teaching -Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
Other
  • 2021 to 2022 - Australian Institute of Medical Scientists Research Enhancement Scheme $5000.00 in collaboration with Sabine Finlayson
  • 2020 to 2022 - Townsville University Hospital SERTA Grant $30,000. Exploring the Long-Term Effects of Probiotic Supplementation in Premature Infants in collaboration with Jacob Westaway, Dr Yoga Kandasamy and Dr Roger Huerlimann
  • 2020 to 2022 - Townsville University Hospital SERTA Grant $37,000 Improving renal function measurement in paediatric and neonatal populations. Collaboration with Dr Andrew White, Dr Yoga Kandasamy, Dr Dana Vojisljevic, Nathan Reeks and Teal Mogford
  • 2020 to 2022 - Townsville University Hospital SERTA Grant $49,000 Chronic Pelvic Pain Faecal Microbiome Study in collaboration with Dr Latifeh Horrocks, Dr Vanessa Lusk A/Prof Jay Iyer
  • 2020 to 2021 - Australian Institute of Medical Scientists Research Enhancement Scheme $5000.00 in collaboration with Jacob Westaway
  • 2019 to 2021 - Far North QLD Hospital Foundation "Exploring Probiotics in Preterm Infants $5000.00
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 51+ research outputs authored by A/Prof Donna Rudd from 2007 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Australian Institute of Medical Scientists - PhD Research Seeding Grant

Sero-prevalence and Genotypic Characterization of Hepatitis B Virus Infections in the ABO Blood Types in Papua New Guinea Blood Donors.

Indicative Funding
$10,000 over 3 years
Summary
Donor blood is clinically significant, and yet, transports pathogens such as the hepatitis B virus. This study will explore the risks factors and ABO blood types associated with genotypic sero-prevalence and their influence on blood donor compliance. The results of which will contribute to improving current blood donation practices in Papua New Guinea.
Investigators
Francisca Varpit, Bruce Gummow and Donna Rudd (College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords
Hepatitis B; PNG

Townsville Hospital and Health Service - Study Education Research Trust Account (SERTA)

CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN FAECAL MICROBIOME STUDY

Indicative Funding
$23,000 over 5 years (administered by Townsville Hospital and Health Service)
Summary
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is defined as non-cyclical pain in the area of the pelvis for most days for more than 3-6 months, unrelated to pregnancy. Prevalence of CPP worldwide is estimated to be between 15 % to 25.4%.In the recent years the important role the human gut microbiome plays in health has been elucidated. Several studies have indicated a strong link between dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and CPP aetiology. There is growing interest in the interaction between the gut microbiome and CPP. This project will analyse the microbiome of patients with CPP and explores any possible associations.
Investigators
Latifeh Horrocks, Donna Rudd, Jay Iyer and Vanessa Lusink (Townsville Hospital and Health Service, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences and College of Medicine & Dentistry)
Keywords
Microbiome; Gynaecology; Pelvic Pain; CPP; Gut Microbiome

Townsville Hospital and Health Service - Study Education Research Trust Account (SERTA)

Exploring the Long-Term Effects of Probiotic Supplementation in Premature Infants

Indicative Funding
$12,700 over 5 years (administered by Townsville Hospital and Health Service)
Summary
Probiotic supplementation is now standard care for pre-term infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); significantly reducing the risk of Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC) and mortality. What is not known is the long-term impact of this probiotic treatment on the developing infant gut microbiome. Evidence from a previous study shows positive effects, however, two important questions remain. 1. Microbes from probiotic supplementation appear to colonize the infant gut, cause positive modulation and reduce the incidence of disease, does this effect persist over the first year of life? 2. Should the criteria for probiotic supplementation be expanded to include all infants?
Investigators
Yoga Kandasamy, Donna Rudd, Roger Huerlimann and Jacob Westaway (Townsville Hospital and Health Service, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences and College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
Microbiome; Neonatal; NICU; Gut microbiome

National Health & Medical Research Council - Project Grant

The Relationship between Maternal Health and Infant Renal Development and Function

Indicative Funding
$175,000 over 5 years (administered by The University of Newcastle)
Summary
This will be the first study to comprehensively link the maternal environment, including maternal renal size and ethnicity, to the development of the human fetal kidney and subsequent childhood kidney growth and function in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. Developing non-invasive measures of renal development and understanding the pathway to reduce nephron number in Indigenous infants is essential for the planning of public health interventions to reduce Indigenous disadvantage in renal health.
Investigators
Yoga Kandasamy, Roger Smith, Eugenie Lumbers, Ian Wright and Donna Rudd (The University of Newcastle, University of Wollongong, College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords
Paediatric Health; Renal; Biomarkers; Neonatel Intensive Care

Townsville Hospital and Health Service - Study Education Research Trust Account (SERTA)

Assessment of Renal Function in Neonates and infants using Cystatin C.

Indicative Funding
$24,000 over 2 years
Summary
Diagnosis of early acute kidney injury (AKI) can prevent renal failure in babies (<2 years of age). This non-invasive method validation study will utilise parallel alternative method testing for renal function tests, to examine the clinical applicability and accuracy of implementing Cystatin-C (Cys-C), as a preferred biomarker for early AKI by: (1) determining if Cys-C is a more sensitive marker of impaired renal function and decline compared to serum creatinine in this cohort; (2) determine if eGFR derived from Cys-C is a more sensitive predictor of renal function decline; and (3) produce a clinical reference range for Cys-C for this cohort.
Investigators
Andrew White, Yoga Kandasamy, Danica Vojisavljevic, Donna Rudd, Nathan Reeks and Teal Mogford (Townsville Hospital and Health Service, College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords
Cystatin-C; Renal Function; Biomarker; Acute Kidney Injury; Neonatal

Australian Institute of Medical Scientists - Higher Degree Research Seeding Grant

Exploring the Long-Term Effects of Probiotic Supplementation in Premature Infants

Indicative Funding
$5,000 over 1 year
Summary
Probiotic supplementation is now standard care for pre-term infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); significantly reducing the risk of Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC) and mortality. What is not known is the long-term impact of this probiotic treatment on the developing infant gut microbiome. Evidence from a previous study shows positive effects, however, two important questions remain. 1. Microbes from probiotic supplementation appear to colonize the infant gut, cause positive modulation and reduce the incidence of disease, does this effect persist over the first year of life? 2. Should the criteria for probiotic supplementation be expanded to include all infants?
Investigators
Jacob Westaway and Donna Rudd (College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords
Microbiome; Neonatal; NICU; Gut microbiome
Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current
  • Seroprevalence and Genotypic Characterization of Hepatitis B virus in the ABO Blood types in Papua New Guinea Healthy Blood Donors. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Measuring Allostatic Load - Biomarkers as Predictive Tools in Serious Mental Illness (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
  • Nephrin ? A novel biomarker for determining acute kidney injury (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
  • Cryopreservation methods for gametes and embryos of groupers and pearl oysters (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
  • Investigating the clinical utility of MYD88 (L265P) mutation testing during the workup of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia within Australia (Masters , Secondary Advisor)
Completed
Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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