Renowned sonologist and researcher joins MHTP

Clinical Associate Professor Fabricio Costa

The Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP) welcomes Fabricio Costa and congratulates him on his appointment as Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in the ​Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ​School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University.

Associate Professor Costa is a consultant sonologist at Monash Medical Centre and the newly appointed Medical Director of Monash Ultrasound for Women.

Having moved from the Royal Women’s Hospital and University of Melbourne where he was Deputy Director Ultrasound Services and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Associate Professor Costa moved to Perinatal Services, Monash Medical Centre early this year to establish a clinical and academic first trimester screening program at Monash Health.

“Monash Health uniquely integrates in one organisation primary, secondary and tertiary health services, as well as world renowned research and teaching facilities at Monash University and the Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute,” said Associate Professor Costa.

“It’s very exciting for a mid-career clinician and researcher like myself to be part of these cutting edge organisations.”

Associate Professor Costa’s clinical and research interests are in the use of ultrasound in maternal-fetal medicine, especially pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and preterm labour (the major obstetrical syndromes).

“I have special interest in first trimester screening, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).”

Currently the first trimester scan between 11-13 weeks is becoming a key point of antenatal care and Associate Professor Costa aims to develop new tools to predict and prevent pregnancy complications throughout a combination of ultrasound and biomarkers at this period.

Associate Professor Costa said he looks forward to supervising Honours and PhD students at Monash University and the Hudson Institute.

“This appointment will allow me to collaborate with scientists at the MHTP and wider university to generate translational research in the field of women’s health.”

Associate Professor Costa has over 70 peer-reviewed publications and is a frequent speaker at national and International conferences concerning ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology and maternal-fetal medicine.

He is a member of the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) Council and an Ambassador of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISUOG) to Brazil and Australasia.