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)
• 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 (2023) Repeatability, completion time, and predictive ability of four diabetes-related foot ulcer classification systems. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 17 (1). pp. 35-41
• Blanchette V, Fernando M, Shin L, Rowe V, Ziegler K and Armstrong D (in press) Evolution of WIfI: Expansion of WIfI Notation After Intervention. International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds,
• Drovandi A, Wong S, Seng L, Crowley B, Alahakoon C, Banwait J, Fernando M and Golledge J (2023) Remotely delivered monitoring and management of diabetes-related foot disease: an overview of systematic reviews. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 17 (1). pp. 59-69
• Fernando M, Horsley M, Jones S, Martin B, Nube V, Charles J, Cheney J and Lazzarini P (2022) Australian guideline on offloading treatment for foot ulcers: part of the 2021 Australian evidence-based guidelines for diabetes-related foot disease. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 15 (1).
• Fernando M, Seng L, Drovandi A, Crowley B and Golledge J (2022) Effectiveness of Remotely Delivered Interventions to Simultaneously Optimize Management of Hypertension, Hyperglycemia and Dyslipidemia in People With Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 13.
• Golledge J, Fernando M and Armstrong D (2022) Current Management of Peripheral Artery Disease: Focus on Pharmacotherapy. Drugs, 82. pp. 1165-1177
• Golledge J, Fernando M, Alahakoon C, Lazzarini P, Aan de Stegge W, van Netten J and Bus S (2022) Efficacy of at home monitoring of foot temperature for risk reduction of diabetes-related foot ulcer: A meta-analysis. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, 38 (6).
• Seneviratne M, Fernando M, Kandasamy Y, White A, Sabesan V and Norton R (2022) Cytomegalovirus infection in a single-centre Australian neonatal cohort. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 58. pp. 1136-1144
• Fernando M, Woelfel S, Perry D, Najafi B, Khan T, Dubourdieu C, Shin L and Armstrong D (2021) Dosing activity and return to preulcer function in diabetes-related foot ulcer remission patient recommendations and guidance from the Limb Preservation Consortium at USC and the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 111 (5).
• Fernando M, Drovandi A and Golledge J (2021) Meta-analysis of the association between angiotensin pathway inhibitors and COVID-19 severity and mortality. Systematic Reviews, 10.
• Golledge J, Yip L, Fernando M, Pinchbeck J, Rowbotham S, Jenkins J and Leicht A (2021) Relationship between requirement to stop during a six-minute walk test and health-related quality of life, physical activity and physical performance amongst people with intermittent claudication. Annals of Vascular Surgery, 76. pp. 363-369
• 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

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 30+ 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

• Burden of Diabetes-Related Foot Disease in North Queensland, Australia (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.