Dr Mal Fernando ~ Adjunct Research Fellow

Dr. Mal Fernando is an adjunct post-doctoral research fellow who is affiliated with the QRCPVD, James Cook University. He leads a program of research focused on preventing and better managing diabetes-realated lower limb complications in Australia.  

Dr. Fernando is dual trained in podiatry and medicine and completed his PhD in 2017. He is currently undertaking junior medical officer training in the Hunter New England area of New South Wales. He is affiliated with the Hunter Medical Research Institute and has a conjoint appointment as Research Fellow with the University of Newcastle and previously as Research Fellow with the School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology.  

Dr. Fernando has supervised a number of students to date and collaborates both nationally and internationally with leading reserachers. He was awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship in 2020 and was the 2020 AFPHM RACP John Snow prize finalist for Queensland. He has been awarded a number of other grants and awards in recognition of his research outcomes. 

Interests

Professional

• Cochrane Systematic Reviews
• Meta-analyses
• Longitudinal analyses and mixed methods

Research

• Diabetic foot
• Gait and balance
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Diabetes complications
• Research Capacity building

Teaching

• Biomechanics
• Diabetic Foot Disease
• Clinical skills
• Research Methods

Experience

• 2021 to present - Junior Doctor, Hunter New England Health (Newcastle)
• 2019 to 2021 - Project Manager- UHEL, QRCPVD, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2019 to 2021 - Postdoc, QRCPVD, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2015 to 2020 - MBBS, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2017 to 2018 - Visiting lecturer, Clinical Sciences, QUT (Brisbane)
• 2017 to 2018 - Clinic Coordinator - Podiatry, QUT Health Clinics (Brisbane)
• 2012 to 2017 - Podiatrist, Townsville Hospital and Health Service (Townsville)
• 2012 to 2017 - PhD candidate, QRCPVD, James Cook University (Townsville)

Research Disciplines

• Cardiovascular medicine and haematology (3201)
• Health services and systems (4203)
• Allied health and rehabilitation science (4201)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Clinical health (2001)

Awards

• 2020 to 2023 - Fulbright Scholarship

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

• Alahakoon C, Fernando M, Galappaththy C, Lazzarini P, Moxon J, Jones R and Golledge J (in press) Repeatability, completion time, and predictive ability of four diabetes-related foot ulcer classification systems. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, , DOI:10.1177/1932296820986548.
• Alahakoon C, Fernando M, Galappaththy C, Matthews E, Lazzarini P, Moxon J and Golledge J (2020) Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials reporting the effect of home foot temperature monitoring, patient education or offloading footwear on the incidence of diabetes-related foot ulcers. Diabetic Medicine, 37 (8), pp. 1266-1279, DOI:10.1111/dme.14323.
• Drovandi A, Fernando M, Singh T, Woolley T and Golledge J (2020) Opinions of vascular surgeons and podiatrists in Australia and New Zealand on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for lower limb ulcers. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, 8, Article: e001590, DOI:10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001590.
• Golledge J, Fernando M, Lazzarini P, Najafi B and Armstrong D (2020) The potential role of sensors, wearables and telehealth in the remote management of diabetes-related foot disease. Sensors, 20, Article: 4527, DOI:10.3390/s20164527.
• Pain T, Lindsay D and Fernando M (2020) Predictors of future research interest among allied health professionals at a regional tertiary hospital. Focus on Health Professional Education, 21 (3), pp. 78-92, DOI:10.11157/fohpe.v21i3.376.
• Fernando M, Crowther R, Lazzarini P, Sangla K, Wearing S, Buttner P and Golledge J (2019) Within-and between-body-site agreement of skin autofluorescence measurements in people with and without diabetes-related foot disease. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 13 (5), pp. 836-846, DOI:10.1177/1932296819853555.
• Fernando M, Crowther R, Lazzarini P, Sangla K, Wearing S, Buttner P and Golledge J (2019) Gait in people with nonhealing diabetes-related plantar ulcers. Physical therapy, 99 (12), pp. 1602-1615, DOI:10.1093/ptj/pzz119.
• Lazzarini P, Crews R, van Netten J, Bus S, Fernando M, Chadwick P and Najafi B (2019) Measuring plantar tissue stress in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a critical concept in diabetic foot management. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 13 (5), pp. 869-880, DOI:10.1177/1932296819849092.
• Pain T, Petersen M and Fernando M (2018) Building allied health research capacity at a regional Australian Hospital: a follow-up study. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 16 (4), Article: 8.
• Fernando M, Crowther R, Lazzarini P, Yogakanthi S, Sangla K, Buttner P, Jones R and Golledge J (2017) Plantar pressures are elevated in people with longstanding diabetes-related foot ulcers during follow-up. PLoS ONE, 12 (8), Article: e0181916, pp. 1-17, DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0181916.
• Fernando M, Crowther R, Lazzarini P, Sangla K, Wearing S, Buttner P and Golledge J (2016) Plantar pressures are higher in cases with diabetic foot ulcers compared to controls despite a longer stance phase duration. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 16 (51), pp. 1-10, DOI:10.1186/s12902-016-0131-9.
• Fernando M, Crowther R, Lazzarini P, Sangla K, Buttner P and Golledge J (2016) Gait parameters of people with diabetes-related neuropathic plantar foot ulcers. Clinical Biomechanics, 37, pp. 98-107, DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2016.06.006.

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 20+ research outputs authored by Dr Mal Fernando from 2013 onwards.

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

• Diabetic foot disease and prevention of its complications (PhD , External Advisor)

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.