Michael Stark

Associate Professor Michael Stark

Associate Professor

Robinson Research Institute

Division of Research and Innovation

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Associate Professor Michael Stark - Women's and Children's Hospital.

As Deputy Director of the RRI and Research Group Leader of the Neonatal Medicine Group Associate Professor Stark's research is centred on improving neonatal survival free of neurodevelopmental impairment. He leads a multi-disciplinary team of clinician and basic scientists, with projects encompassing pre-clinical research, large-scale perinatal randomised controlled trials and research implementation and evaluation. The current focus of this research is 1) better understanding fundamental oxygen physiology in the very preterm newborn with a specific focus on early acquired neonatal brain injury 2) development of novel approaches to transfusion in the high risk preterm newborn, in conjunction with the Australian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, to minimise the risk of transfusion related immunomodulation, morbidity and mortality during the neonatal period and 3) patient specific approaches to nutrition in the critically ill newborn designed to promote a self-healing phenotype, reducing inflammation, and improving both short and longer term health outcomes.

Neonatal Medicine, Developmental Physiology, Early Origins of Health

A/Prof Stark leads the Neonatal Medicine Research group within the RRI and is the Clinical Theme Leader (Early Origins of Health). The Neonatal Medicine Research Group conducts clinical studies focusing on the health of preterm newborns. These studies include NHMRC and MRFF funded multi-centre randomised trials and prospective cohort trials. Particular areas of interest include oxygen physiology with a focus on perinatal brain injury, transfusion medicine, and the immunological basis for preterm lung disease. The projects will involve students becoming active members of the research team within the neonatal intensive care nursery in addition to laboratory based studies with a strong clinical and translational focus. This is a multi-disciplinary team which currently comprises Honours, PhD and clinical researchers.   

Projects available:

Research Project 1

 

Title: Defining a safe operating reference range for brain oxygen in very preterm babies at risk of brain injury: An exploratory study

Project description: Preterm babies are particularly vulnerable to brain injury which is a recognised lifelong complication for babies born prematurely. Although this injury is likely to be multifactorial in origin, abnormalities of oxygen handling are known to be important with injury related to variance in either direction. Both low and high brain oxygen content can cause oxidative stress and injury. Hypoxia, or low blood oxygen, results in brain damage from cellular injury and death whereas, hyperoxia, or high brain oxygen content, results in oxygen free radical production with damage to DNA.

Unfortunately, death and impairment from brain damage remain common outcomes for the very preterm babies despite significant resources. Managing oxygen is critically important with current systems failing to adequately measure overall oxygen status. This study will develop a simple, non-invasive method for measuring oxygen levels that is consistent with physiology but also works within the context of current clinical care.

Projects available for: 3rd Year Project; Honours; HDR

Location: The Robinson Research Institute, Norwich Building; Women’s & Children’s Hospital

Research project start: Semester 1 and 2

Special requirements: Police Clearance

 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Deputy Director The Robinson Research Institute
    2013 - ongoing Associate Professor University of Adelaide
    2009 - ongoing Senior Consultant Neonatologist Women's and Children's Hospital

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2004 - 2008 The University of Newcastle Australia PhD
    2002 - 2003 University of Edinburgh United Kingdom BSc (Honours) Physiology
    2002 - 2002 University of Exeter United Kingdom Postgraduate Certificate (Medical Education)
    2000 - 1996 University of Edinburgh United Kingdom MBChB

  • Postgraduate Training
    Date Title Institution Country
    2011 FRACP Royal Australasian College of Physicians Australia
    2008 CCST Postgraduate Medical Education Board UK United Kingdom
    2001 MRCP (UK) Royal College of Physcians (Edinburgh) United Kingdom

  • Research Interests
    Surgical and Health Systems Innovation Pregnancy and Birth Child and Adolescent Health Translational Health Outcomes

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Principal Supervisor The effect of allogenic red blood cell transfusion on oxygen physiology in the preterm newborn Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Danielle Nicole Bailey
    2023 Principal Supervisor Neonatal Encephalopathy and Early Onset Sepsis Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Part Time Dr Kristina Kaye Sibbin
    2022 Principal Supervisor Evaluating overnight oximetry and cerebral oxygenation in term or near-term infants with unexplained oxygen requirements. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Amelia Namrata Noone

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Evaluating the use and effects of domperidone in the treatment of lactation insufficiency Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Grace McKenzie McBride
    2021 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Evaluating the Impact of Maternal Asthma on Neonatal and Childhood Lung Function and Its Underlying Mechanisms Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Joshua Luke Robinson
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Neuroprotection in Neonatal Encephalopathy: Extending our Understanding Beyond Cooling in the NICU Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Kathryn Anne Martinello
    2018 - 2021 Co-Supervisor HMGB1- An Immunotherapeutic Target for the Treatment of Neonatal Sepsis and Associated Neuroinflammation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Nerissa Lakhan
    2016 - 2019 Co-Supervisor GBS STUDY: Assessing Disease Burden and Risk Factors for Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Infection to Inform the Best Strategies to Prevent Life Threatening Infections in Newborns Master of Philosophy (Clinical Science) Master Full Time Dr Marianne Yanni

  • Editorial Boards
    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2022 - ongoing Associate Editor Childhood: a global journal of child research The Robinson Research Institute Australia
    2022 - ongoing Associate Editor Frontiers in Pediatrics The Robinson Research Institute Australia
    2016 - ongoing Associate Editor Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health - Australia
    2013 - ongoing Associate Editor Placenta - -
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