About > Meet the team
OUR TEAM
Meet the team
At Clinical Trials Institute, we deliver clinical research with speed, care, and uncompromising integrity. Get to know the people who make every trial run.
Who we are
Meet our world class clinical trials team
Our team is led by Director Jim Green, supported by dedicated operations, governance, administration, study coordination staff, and investigators; creating a streamlined and well-structured environment for every trial we undertake. CTI prides itself on offering the agility and personalised engagement of a nimble organisation, combined with the standards and performance expected of an established research site. This ensures a responsive and high-quality experience for both participants and collaborators alike.
Director
Jim Green
BPharmSci, PhC
Jim has been in the pharmacy industry for over 50 years and has provided exceptional family care and service to Geelong residents throughout this time.
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He established the well-known Jim Green’s Pharmacy in 1973. After operating this pharmacy for many years and building a loyal customer base, Jim founded the Myers St Family Medical Practice in April 2004. This has expanded into the Geelong Medical Health Group, incorporating facilities in Geelong, Grovedale, the Torquay Medical Hub and Qutis Skin Clinic, a GP-based skin cancer treatment and management centre.
Jim was the chairman of a prostate cancer research company, Minomic, for three years, and is currently involved in a company researching and developing new testing methods for several types of cancer.
General Manager
Durham Green
Durham is the General Manager of GMHG overseeing the daily operations of all centres and coordinating the management function.
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Growing up in a family of health professionals, Durham continually strives to provide health services which benefit and are convenient for the community. With experience in project management in both the building and banking industries, Durham’s passion now lies in health, and he aims to develop services and solutions which enhance the health and wellbeing of the communities around him.
One of Durham’s strengths is his ability to connect with a vast range of personality types. He is approachable and listens to your concerns, making common goals reachable when working collaboratively.
Operations Manager
Adele Stronach
BBMSc (Hons)
Adele Stronach is an experienced clinical research and operations professional with 20 years experience across translational research, clinical trials, and regulated healthcare environments.
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Her career spans leading academic institutions and hospital-based research centres, with a strong focus on scientific rigour, clinical governance, and high-quality research delivery.
Adele has contributed extensively to translational and clinical research in haematology and oncology and is a published author in multiple high-impact, peer-reviewed journals including Blood, Cancer Research, Leukemia, and the Journal of Cell Death. Her work has contributed to advances in the understanding of malignant disease biology and therapeutic development, with a particular focus on translational and early-phase research.
Across her career, Adele has played key roles in the coordination and oversight of complex clinical trials, working closely with investigators, sponsors, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure ethical conduct, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. She brings deep expertise in Good Clinical Practice (GCP), research governance, and quality management systems.
In addition to her research career, Adele has founded and led healthcare services focused on governance, quality, and compliance, applying her clinical and regulatory expertise to support safe, ethical, and effective service delivery. She is known for her collaborative leadership style, attention to detail, and commitment to advancing high-quality, evidence-based practice.
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Lauren Smith
DipNurs, BSc (Hons), MScAdNursPrac
Lauren Smith brings over two decades of experience in oncology nursing, clinical research, and patient care across public and private healthcare systems.
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She has held senior clinical research roles at internationally recognised institutions, including The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, and has led clinical trial coordination across multiple sites in New South Wales and Victoria. Lauren has successfully managed complex, multi-phase oncology and hematology trials and contributed to national initiatives aimed at improving access to clinical trials in regional and remote communities. Her expertise ensures high standards in protocol compliance, patient safety, and trial delivery, aligning with the company’s commitment to excellence in clinical research and improved patient outcomes.
Clinical trial coordinator
Bianca Sawyer
BNurs
Bianca has over 20 years of experience in nursing and clinical research. She began her career in the United Kingdom as a Research Nurse at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, working in HIV research.
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It was during this time that she developed a strong passion for evidence-based practice and clinical research. Upon returning to Australia, Bianca joined Nucleus Network in Melbourne—a dedicated Phase I–IV clinical trials unit—where she gained valuable experience in first-in-human studies, including single and multiple ascending dose (SAD/MAD) trials in healthy volunteers, as well as oncology trials. More recently, she has been working at the Cancer Services Clinical Trials Unit at University Hospital, managing a portfolio of haematology trials in her role as a Clinical Trial Coordinator. Bianca feels incredibly privileged to support patients throughout their clinical trial journey and is proud to be part of a highly skilled, compassionate, and dedicated team committed to advancing research and improving patient outcomes.
Project officer
Dr Rhiannon Helson
BExSportSc, MHPSc, PhD
Dr Rhiannon Helson is an experienced clinical research professional with more than a decade of involvement in Phase I–IV clinical trials across academic, government, and industry‑sponsored settings.
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With a PhD in Endocrinology and Immunology and a strong foundation in physiology and metabolic science, she brings deep scientific expertise and a comprehensive understanding of clinical trial operations.
Her therapeutic experience includes cardiovascular disease, neurology, endocrinology, metabolic disease, immunology, and allied health. She has extensive experience supporting Principal Investigators and Sub‑Investigators throughout the full research lifecycle, including protocol implementation, site coordination, participant management, ethics and governance processes, and study compliance. Her work ensures smooth operational delivery while enabling investigators to focus on scientific leadership.
She joined the Clinical Trials Institute in 2026 and plays a key role in delivering rigorous, efficient, and impactful clinical research across diverse therapeutic areas.
Administration
Oliver Giles
BBMSc, BHMSc (Hons)
Oliver Giles is an Administrative Assistant at the Clinical Trials Institute, bringing a strong academic background in biomedical and health sciences to CTI.
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He holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with a focus on Biotechnology and an Honours degree in Health and Medical Science, where he conducted research in diabetes within the field of endocrinology.
Oliver applies his scientific training and research experience to support the smooth coordination of clinical trial operations, contributing a detail‑focused, organised, and research‑informed approach to the CTI team. His core therapeutic interest lies in endocrinology, particularly diabetes, reflecting the foundation of his academic work and research pursuits.
Pharmaceutical lead
Alex Green
BPharmSci, DipFormChem
Alex has been a qualified pharmacist for over 25 years and has completed a diploma in formulation chemistry.
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She has comprehensive training in compounding and has completed specialised courses in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and pain management. She has gained a considerable experience in diverse segments of pharmacy in Australia and the UK, including working in hospital, retail and boutique pharmacies specialising in compounding.
Alex is passionate about helping others, and believes to achieve your best in any area of life requires a balance of physical, mental and emotional health and well-being. The inspiration for opening the Cottage Pharmacy and now Coastal Compounding Pharmacy comes from her passion to assist each individual to find solutions to their own health and wellness needs, and to provide the highest quality advice and service possible.
In addition to her love for compounding medication, Alex has taken much time to create the Evergreen Australia skincare range.
Governance officer
Darren Brown
Darren has over three decades of experience in management consultancy and corporate leadership, particularly within the biotechnology and diagnostics sectors.
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He holds advanced degrees in Business Administration and Law from Bond University, and his career includes directorship roles in companies specialising in cancer diagnostics and performance testing. With a strong focus on industry-led clinical research, Darren has contributed to multiple clinical studies in cancer diagnostics, offering valuable insight into strategic development and regulatory landscapes.
Facilities manager
Jared Arklay
Jared is a dedicated and experienced professional with a strong background in healthcare management. With over 9 years of exemplary service as the Manager of Torquay Medical Hub and The Cottage Medical Centre, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to the community.
Doctor
Dr Jimmy Mclaren
MBChB, ACSEP Registrar, FRACGP
Jimmy is a doctor at the Geelong Football Club, a World Surf League (WSL) event doctor, consults for the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, and is a Sport and Exercise Medicine registrar.
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He treats both acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries to improve pain, return to activity, and optimise health and performance. He cares for people of all ages and previously covered the U17 Australian Soccer Joeys team. He also manages medical conditions related to exercise, such as asthma, energy deficiency, disordered eating and mental wellbeing. Jimmy provides ultrasound guided injections where appropriate.
Investigator
Dr Stephanie DeMarchi
MD
Stephanie is a highly skilled General Practitioner at The Cottage Medical Centre in Grovedale, dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate healthcare to her patients.
Investigator
Dr John-Paul Darby
Dr Darby is a General Practitioner who enjoys helping and empowering people through the use of Western Medicine and Medical Hypnosis.
Investigator
Professor Lee Kennedy
MD PhD
Lee Kennedy is a UK-trained specialist in Endocrinology and General (Internal) Medicine.
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He completed undergraduate training in the University of Edinburgh where I was awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine for research into thyroid disease. Postgraduate training was completed in the Universities of Cambridge and Sheffield. He then completed my PhD in Sheffield with studies on thyroid growth and development.
Lee holds Fellowships of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of Edinburgh and London as well as Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He has a strong track record in research and have published extensively including several books. Lee has held senior academic and clinical positions, both in the UK and in Australia, and is currently a Clinical Professor with Deakin University.
Recent qualifications include a Diploma in Fitness, Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach and Diploma in Counselling.
Clinical interests include:
– Diabetes – integrating lifestyle and medical management
– Weight management & nutrition– complex health problems associated with obesity
– Endocrinology – including thyroid, bone, pituitary and reproductive
– Health issues in middle life and beyond
– Patients with complex or multiple medical disorders