We work with some of Victoria’s leading clinicians, researchers and changemakers.
Program team

Professor Clara Gaff
Executive Director
Clara is a nationally renowned change leader, who’s guided Melbourne Genomics since its inception.
See bio
Naomi Burke
Chief Operating Officer
Naomi has led the design and delivery of complex health, ICT and commercialisation programs.
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Dr Melissa Martyn
Evaluation Manager
A highly experienced researcher, Melissa designs innovative methods to evaluate genomics programs.
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Dr Amy Nisselle
Lead, Genomics Workforce
Amy is a sought-after science communicator, researcher and project manager with a doctorate in multimedia genetics education.
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Dr Natalie Thorne
Lead, Genomic Information Management
Natalie builds systems that enable complex data to inform clinical practice.
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A/Prof Claire Harris
Senior Health Implementation Specialist
Claire has initiated, designed and delivered award-winning innovations in a range of settings including general practice, hospitals, community health and the NDIS.
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Zayne D'Crus
Communications and Engagement Manager
Zayne specialises in strategic communications, brand identity and copywriting. His role is to get new audiences excited about genomics.
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David Cloake
PMO Manager
Coming from a commercial background, David has over 30 years of program management experience.
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Chriselle Hickerton
Community Engagement Coordinator
Chriselle works with the Community Advisory Group and the program team to help enable the community voice to advise, participate in and inform projects conducted by Melbourne Genomics.
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Rigan Tytherleigh
Research and Program Evaluation Data Manager
Rigan designs data collection systems and manages data for the evaluation of Melbourne Genomics’ projects.
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Irene Dinatale
Project Officer
Irene manages Melbourne Genomics' clinical projects, working to place genomics in practice.
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Matt Nielsen
Digital Program Manager
A medical lab scientist specialised in clinical information systems.
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Kitty O'Brien
Technical Business Analyst
Kitty engages stakeholders to ensure GenoVic provides the most value for its users.
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Sarah Payton
Project Manager
Sarah manages Genomic Information Management projects for Melbourne Genomics.
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Dr Tim Hastings
Development Team Lead
Tim is an experienced software engineer leading the further development of GenoVic.
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Lauren Eldershaw
Bioinformatician/Software Developer
Lauren is involved in the design and development of various systems in GenoVic and specialises in the analysis of genomic data.
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Amelia Rahardja
Communications Coordinator
Amelia works with the team and the member organisations to create cut-through content on the value of genomics.
See bioOur Board

Catherine Walter AM
Board Chair
A lawyer and a company director, Catherine is Chair of the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance Board.
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Prof Mike McGuckin
Board Member
Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Melbourne
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Dr Rob Grenfell
Board Member
Health Director of the Health and Biosecurity Business Unit at CSIRO
See bioCommunity Advisory Group

Louisa Di Pietro
Member
Louisa has orchestrated the success of the Genetic Support Network of Victoria for several years.
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Heather Renton
Member
Founder and President of Syndromes Without a Name (SWAN) – an advocacy group for families with undiagnosed children.
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Margaret Sahhar AM
Member
Margaret’s distinguished career spans more than 40 years at the forefront of genetic counselling and patient support.
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Dr Janney Wale
Member
Consumer editor at The Cochrane Collaboration and a health consumer voice both locally and nationally.
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Christine Walker
Member
Board member of the Consumer's Health Forum, a member of the Medical Services Advisory Committee Evaluation Subcommittee and a practising sociologist.
See bioSpase Veljanovski
Member
Spase has a strong interest in social justice and has over 20 years’ experience in improving marginalised communities’ access to health and community services.
See bioOur experts

Dr Kortnye Smith
Medical Oncologist
Dr Kortnye Smith is a medical oncologist involved in Melbourne Genomics’ state-wide cancer project.
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Dr Norelle Sherry
Infectious Diseases Physician & Clinical Microbiologist
Dr Norelle Sherry is an infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist at Austin Health and a clinician-researcher at the University of Melbourne. She is working on the Melbourne Genomics Controlling Superbugs project.
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Melbourne Genomics acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, on whose lands we work, and all First Nations peoples across Victoria. We pay respect to Elders past and present. We also acknowledge the First Nations health professionals, researchers and leaders who are shaping the future of genomic medicine.