Professor John Kanellis |
Adjunct
Clinical Professor Kanellis’ early research focused on the role of Vascular
Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in renal disease as well as various other
inflammatory pathways and their role in renal and cardiovascular disease and in
hypertension.
In
more recent years, Professor Kanellis’ basic and clinical research has focussed
on transplantation.
“PhD
students under our supervision in the renal laboratory (headed by Professor
David Nikolic-Paterson) have studied antibody mediated rejection of kidney
transplants, and we’ve developed a unique animal model to better study this
clinical problem which has very limited therapeutic options,” Professor
Kanellis said.
“Given
the large size of the transplant unit at Monash Medical Centre—more than 900
patients with current transplants—clinical research has been very
collaborative.”
“Over
the last decade, our unit has been heavily involved in studies of new
immunosuppressive agents and new immunosuppressive regimens.”
“In
collaboration with colleagues at the University of Sydney, we’ve undertaken qualitative
research involving quality of life improvements from transplantation as well as
psychological aspects of living donation,” Professor Kanellis said.
Under
Professor Kanellis’ leadership, Monash Transplant has grown immensely in the
last decade, seeing more than 100 patients every week with functioning
transplants in their clinics.
“We
perform approximately 100 new transplants every year, including kidney-only
transplants as well as double kidney and pancreas transplants—for type 1
diabetics,” Professor Kanellis said.
Monash
Medical Centre is a Nationally Funded Centre (1 of only 2 in Australia) for
pancreas transplantation.
“We
service Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia with this unique activity,
performing 20-25 new double transplants per year, and we also have a very
active living kidney donor programme.”
Beyond
his clinical and research activities, Professor Kanellis has lectured medical
students and supervised several BMedSc(Hons) and PhD students.
He
is the current Chair of the National Renal Transplant Advisory Committee, the
peak national advisory body for kidney transplantation in Australia.
Professor
Kanellis said he feels honoured be recognised for his work through this
promotion.
“I
owe much credit to my clinical and basic science colleagues, our transplant
team (clinicians, surgeons and nurses) and the renal fellows, PhD students and
to my wonderful family for their endless support,” Professor Kanellis said.
“I
would also like to acknowledge all the patients. Collectively we are all
striving to help them through our activities and I am very lucky to have such
an interesting and rewarding job.”
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