Overview
Background
Critical Care Medicine focuses on supporting patients, often with one or multiple organ failures. Based at the largest Australian cardiac hospital, our research investigates better ways to support patients with heart and/or lung failure. We explore technological, pharmacological and engineering advances that could help our patients to live longer and better. Our group is world-renowned for clinically relevant large animal models, including heart failure, respiratory failure (ARDS), heart transplantation, sepsis, cardiogenic shock, and more. All our studies use hospital-grade equipment and follow the same clinical guideline to maximise translation. We actively take on honours, MPhil and PhD students from multi-disciplinary backgrounds (science, engineering, medicine, allied health), with a successful track record in supporting our students to secure their own grants and funding. Students are expected to contribute to other studies of the group. For more information about the group, please visit ccrg.org.au, and email if you are interested to join us.
Availability
- Dr Jacky Suen is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Pharmacology, The University of Queensland
- Member, Extracorporeal Life Support Organization, Extracorporeal Life Support Organization
Works
Search Professor Jacky Suen’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2022
Journal Article
Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with acute covid-19 associated respiratory failure: comparative effectiveness study
Urner, Martin, Barnett, Adrian G., Bassi, Gianluigi Li, Brodie, Daniel, Dalton, Heidi J., Ferguson, Niall D., Heinsar, Silver, Hodgson, Carol L., Peek, Giles, Shekar, Kiran, Suen, Jacky Y., Fraser, John F., Fan, Eddy, COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium Investigators and Obonyo, Nchafatso (2022). Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with acute covid-19 associated respiratory failure: comparative effectiveness study. BMJ, 377 e068723, e068723. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2021-068723
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Therapeutic inhibition of acid sensing ion channel 1a recovers heart function after ischemia-reperfusion injury
Redd, Meredith A., Scheuer, Sarah E., Saez, Natalie J., Yoshikawa, Yusuke, Chiu, Han Sheng, Gao, Ling, Hicks, Mark, Villanueva, Jeanette E., Joshi, Yashutosh, Chow, Chun Yuen, Cuellar-Partida, Gabriel, Peart, Jason N., See Hoe, Louise E., Chen, Xiaoli, Sun, Yuliangzi, Suen, Jacky Y., Hatch, Robert J., Rollo, Ben, Xiao, Di, Alzubaidi, Mubarak A.H., Maljevic, Snezana, Quaife-Ryan, Gregory A., Hudson, James E., Porrello, Enzo R., White, Melanie Y., Cordwell, Stuart J., Fraser, John F., Petrou, Steven, Reichelt, Melissa E. ... Palpant, Nathan J. (2021). Therapeutic inhibition of acid sensing ion channel 1a recovers heart function after ischemia-reperfusion injury. Circulation, 144 (12), 947-960. doi: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.054360
Featured
2021
Journal Article
An appraisal of respiratory system compliance in mechanically ventilated covid-19 patients
Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Suen, Jacky Y, Dalton, Heidi J, White, Nicole, Shrapnel, Sally, Fanning, Jonathon P, Liquet, Benoit, Hinton, Samuel, Vuorinen, Aapeli, Booth, Gareth, Millar, Jonathan E, Forsyth, Simon, Panigada, Mauro, Laffey, John, Brodie, Daniel, Fan, Eddy, Torres, Antoni, Chiumello, Davide, Corley, Amanda, Elhazmi, Alyaa, Hodgson, Carol, Ichiba, Shingo, Luna, Carlos, Murthy, Srinivas, Nichol, Alistair, Ng, Pauline Yeung, Ogino, Mark, Pesenti, Antonio, Trieu, Huynh Trung ... Obonyo, Gikenyi N. (2021). An appraisal of respiratory system compliance in mechanically ventilated covid-19 patients. Critical Care, 25 (1) 199, 1-22. doi: 10.1186/s13054-021-03518-4
Featured
2020
Journal Article
Combined mesenchymal stromal cell therapy and ECMO in ARDS: a controlled experimental study in sheep
Millar, Jonathan E., Bartnikowski, Nicole, Passmore, Margaret R., Obonyo, Nchafatso G, Malfertheiner, Maximillian V., von Bahr, Viktor, Redd, Meredith A., See Hoe, Louise, Ki, Katrina K., Pedersen, Sanne, Boyle, Andrew J., Baillie, J Kenneth, Shekar, Kiran, Palpant, Nathan, Suen, Jacky Y., Matthay, Michael A., McAuley, Daniel F., Fraser, John F. and Combining Extracorporeal Life Support and Cell Therapy in Critical Illness (CELTIC) investigators (2020). Combined mesenchymal stromal cell therapy and ECMO in ARDS: a controlled experimental study in sheep. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 202 (3) rccm.201911-2143OC, 383-392. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201911-2143oc
Featured
2019
Journal Article
Low flow rate alters haemostatic parameters in an ex-vivo extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit
Ki, Katrina K., Passmore, Margaret R., Chan, Chris H. H., Malfertheiner, Maximilian V., Fanning, Jonathon P., Bouquet, Mahé, Millar, Jonathan E., Fraser, John F. and Suen, Jacky Y. (2019). Low flow rate alters haemostatic parameters in an ex-vivo extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 7 (1) 51, 51. doi: 10.1186/s40635-019-0264-z
2025
Journal Article
Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein as a marker of prognosis and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia in refractory cardiac arrest patients: a pilot study
Smalcova, Jana, Brodska, Lahoda Helena, Suen, Jacky, Vanickova, Zdislava, Kavalkova, Petra, White, Nicole, Kolosova, Barbora, Nonaka, Hideaki, Pudil, Jan, Svobodova, Eva, Balik, Martin, Malik, Jan and Belohlavek, Jan (2025). Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein as a marker of prognosis and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia in refractory cardiac arrest patients: a pilot study. Resuscitation Plus, 24 100972, 100972-24. doi: 10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100972
2025
Journal Article
Right heart failure after left ventricular assist device implantation: latest insights and knowledge gaps on mechanism and prediction
Nonaka, Hideaki, Lu, Lawrence Y., Obonyo, Nchafatso G., Suen, Jacky Y., McGiffin, David C., Fanning, Jonathon P. and Fraser, John F. (2025). Right heart failure after left ventricular assist device implantation: latest insights and knowledge gaps on mechanism and prediction. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 12 1586389, 1586389. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2025.1586389
2025
Journal Article
Cell-free mitochondrial DNA may predict the risk of post-operative complications and outcomes in surgical aortic valve replacement patients
Hyslop, Kieran, Ki, Katrina K., Naidoo, Rishendran, O’Brien, Donalee, Prabhu, Anil, Gill, Denzil, Anstey, Chris, Rapchuk, Ivan L., McDonald, Charles I., Marshall, Lachlan, Pearse, India, Fraser, John F., Suen, Jacky Y. and Passmore, Margaret R. (2025). Cell-free mitochondrial DNA may predict the risk of post-operative complications and outcomes in surgical aortic valve replacement patients. Scientific Reports, 15 (1) 15857, 15857-1. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-00382-y
2025
Conference Publication
A Scoping Review of Experimental Acute Lung Injury in Preclinical Settings: A Call to Improve Methodologies for Enhanced Translatability
Fior, G., Natani, A., Liu, K., Milani, A., Baccoli, F., Nonaka, H., Hoshino, K., Graham, J., McGrath, C., Zhang, C., Suen, J., Fraser, J.F. and Li Bassi, G. (2025). A Scoping Review of Experimental Acute Lung Injury in Preclinical Settings: A Call to Improve Methodologies for Enhanced Translatability. ATS International Conference, San Francisco, CA United States, 16-21 May 2025. New York, NY United States: American Thoracic Society. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.2025.211.abstracts.a5672
2025
Conference Publication
Heartbeat Interference on Ventilator Pressure-time Waveform to Predict Recruitability and Overdistention
Milani, A., Fior, G., Liu, K., Wildi, K., Semenzin, C., Bösch, J., Obonyo, N.G., Passmore, M., Hyslop, K., Portatadino, S., Abbate, G., Panduru, R., Bouquet, M., Parker, S., Nonaka, H., Smalcova, J., Suen, J., Fraser, J.F. and Li Bassi, G. (2025). Heartbeat Interference on Ventilator Pressure-time Waveform to Predict Recruitability and Overdistention. ATS International Conference, San Francisco, CA United States, 16-21 May 2025. New York, NY United States: American Thoracic Society. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.2025.211.abstracts.a1509
2025
Journal Article
The Significance of Possible Non-Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia in Relation to Neurological Outcomes in Patients with Refractory Cardiac Arrest - Secondary Analysis of the Prague OHCA Study
Smalcova, Jana, Suen, Jacky, Huptych, Michal, Franek, Ondrej, Kavalkova, Petra, Brodska, Helena Lahoda, Balik, Martin, Malik, Jan, Pudil, Jan, Smid, Ondrej, Fajkus, Martin, McInerney, Molly-rose and Belohlavek, Jan (2025). The Significance of Possible Non-Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia in Relation to Neurological Outcomes in Patients with Refractory Cardiac Arrest - Secondary Analysis of the Prague OHCA Study. Resuscitation 110642, 110642. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2025.110642
2025
Conference Publication
Heartbeat Interference on Ventilator Pressure-time Waveform as a Novel Pulmonary Parameter: Correlation With Pulmonary Mechanics
Milani, A., Fior, G., Liu, K., Semenzin, C., Wildi, K., Bösch, J., Obonyo, N.G., Prabhakar, V., Huynh, S., Arakkakunnel, T., Nonaka, H., Smalcova, J., Suen, J., Fraser, J.F. and Li Bassi, G. (2025). Heartbeat Interference on Ventilator Pressure-time Waveform as a Novel Pulmonary Parameter: Correlation With Pulmonary Mechanics. ATS International Conference, San Francisco, CA United States, 16-21 May 2025. New York, NY United States: American Thoracic Society. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.2025.211.abstracts.a1508
2025
Conference Publication
Unveiling the Role of Pulmonary Inflammatory Biofluids in Propagating Early Acute Lung Injury
Fior, G., Milani, A., Liu, K., Nchafatso, O., Nonaka, H., Bösch, J., Smalcova, J., Hoshino, K., Schinichi, I., Portatadino, S., Abbate, G., Panduru, R., Parker, S., Hyslop, K., Bouquet, M., Passmore, M., White, N., Suen, J., Fraser, J.F. and Li Bassi, G. (2025). Unveiling the Role of Pulmonary Inflammatory Biofluids in Propagating Early Acute Lung Injury. ATS International Conference, San Francisco, CA United States, 16-21 May 2025. New York, NY United States: American Thoracic Society. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.2025.211.abstracts.a5673
2025
Journal Article
Anticoagulation during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): A Selective Inhibitor of Activated Factor XII Compared to Heparin in an Ex Vivo Model
Gandini, Lucia, de Veer, Simon J., Chan, Chris H. H., Passmore, Margaret R., Liu, Keibun, Lundon, Brooke, Rachakonda, Reema, White, Nicole, Rhodes, Madeleine, Shanahan, Emma, Yap, Kuok, See Hoe, Louise E., Semenzin, Clayton, Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Fraser, John F., Craik, David J. and Suen, Jacky Y. (2025). Anticoagulation during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): A Selective Inhibitor of Activated Factor XII Compared to Heparin in an Ex Vivo Model. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, 8 (5), 1260-1269. doi: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00352
2025
Journal Article
Neurological complications and outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19: results from international neurological study group from the COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium
Ahmad, Syed Ameen, Mayasi, Yunis, Kelly, Thu-Lan, White, Nicole, Suen, Jacky, Battaglini, Denise, Bassi, Gianluigi Li, Fraser, John F., Premraj, Lavien, Arora, Rakesh C., Bastos, Diego, Whitman, Glenn, Griffee, Matthew, Fanning, Jonathon P., Robba, Chiara and Cho, Sung-Min (2025). Neurological complications and outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19: results from international neurological study group from the COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium. Neurohospitalist, 15 (2), 113-123. doi: 10.1177/19418744241292487
2025
Journal Article
Micro-nanoplastic induced cardiovascular disease and dysfunction: a scoping review
Goldsworthy, Adrian, O’Callaghan, Liam A., Blum, Ciara, Horobin, Jarod, Tajouri, Lotti, Olsen, Matthew, Van Der Bruggen, Natalia, McKirdy, Simon, Alghafri, Rashed, Tronstad, Oystein, Suen, Jacky and Fraser, John F. (2025). Micro-nanoplastic induced cardiovascular disease and dysfunction: a scoping review. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology 57, 1-24. doi: 10.1038/s41370-025-00766-2
2025
Journal Article
Effect of early and later prone positioning on outcomes in invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: analysis of the prospective COVID-19 critical care consortium cohort study ( vol 15 , 22 , 2025)
Simpkin, Andrew J., Mcnicholas, Bairbre A., Hannon, David, Bartlett, Robert, Chiumello, Davide, Dalton, Heidi J., Gibbons, Kristen, White, Nicole, Merson, Laura, Fan, Eddy, Panigada, Mauro, Grasselli, Giacomo, Motos, Anna, Torres, Antoni, Barbe, Ferran, Ng, Pauline Yeung, Fanning, Jonathon P., Nichol, Alistair, Suen, Jacky Y., Bassi, Gianluigi Li, Fraser, John F. and Laffey, John G. (2025). Effect of early and later prone positioning on outcomes in invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: analysis of the prospective COVID-19 critical care consortium cohort study ( vol 15 , 22 , 2025). Annals of Intensive Care, 15 (1) 44, 44. doi: 10.1186/s13613-025-01466-8
2025
Journal Article
Streamlining data recording through optical character recognition: a prospective multi-center study in intensive care units
Nitayavardhana, Prompak, Liu, Keibun, Fukaguchi, Kiyomitsu, Fujisawa, Mineto, Koike, Itaru, Tominaga, Aina, Iwamoto, Yuta, Goto, Tadahiro, Suen, Jacky Y., Fraser, John F. and Ng, Pauline Yeung (2025). Streamlining data recording through optical character recognition: a prospective multi-center study in intensive care units. Critical Care, 29 (1) 117, 117. doi: 10.1186/s13054-025-05347-1
2025
Journal Article
Effects of transfusing older red blood cells on patient outcomes in critical illness: A retrospective cohort study
Obonyo, Nchafatso G., Sela, Declan P., White, Nicole, Tunbridge, Matthew, Sim, Beatrice, Rachakonda, Reema H., See Hoe, Louise E., Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Fanning, Jonathon P., Tung, John‐Paul, Suen, Jacky Y. and Fraser, John F. (2025). Effects of transfusing older red blood cells on patient outcomes in critical illness: A retrospective cohort study. Vox Sanguinis, 120 (5), 481-489. doi: 10.1111/vox.70007
2025
Journal Article
Level of sedation in patients with COVID-19 supported with ECMO: A comparative analysis of the critical care consortium international database
Heinsar, Silver, Labib, Ahmed, Cespedes, Marcela, Riera, Jordi, White, Nicole, Zaaqoq, Akram, Jacobs, Jeffrey P., Buscher, Hergen, Alexander, Peta M. A., Ciullo, Anna, Aftab, Muhammad, Suen, Jacky Y., Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Lorusso, Roberto, Fraser, John F., Peek, Giles and On behalf of the COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium (COVID Critical) (2025). Level of sedation in patients with COVID-19 supported with ECMO: A comparative analysis of the critical care consortium international database. Perfusion, 2676591251324136. doi: 10.1177/02676591251324136
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Jacky Suen is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Honours students for cardio-respiratory failure
We are looking for honours students to be involved in our range of studies on cardiac/respiratory failure. Projects include heart transplantation, acute respiratory failure, sepsis and advanced life support. Students will be expected and supported for grant application, as most of our previous honours students were awarded with $10,000 New Investigator Grant.
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Mitochondrial dysfunction and repair during circulatory death and heart transplantation
We are looking for Honours and RHD students to be involved in our NHMRC-funded heart transplantation program. Previously, we have successfully translated our research on extended organ preservation to clinical practice in Australia/New Zealand. As we explore on a new donor source, we are looking for talented students to join the team to study mitochondrial dysfunction, as a key parameter in determining post-transplant cardiac function.
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Systematic examination of ECMO parameters
Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an artificial heart/lung machine that is use to support patients with severe cardiac/respiratory failure. It has been invented for more than 30 years. To date, there is a lack of systematic examination of various parameters and settings for ECMO. Many of the current clinical practise are based on convention and tradition. This project aims to research and provide empirical evidences in order to optimise ECMO usage for patients, leading to improved patient outcome and reduced length of hospital stay. The project could involve bench-top ex vivo experiments, large animal in vivo study, and, perspective and retrospective analysis of clinical studies.
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Impact of blood flow for lung function
We are looking for Honours or RHD students to be involved in a project examining the impact of blood flow to support patients with respiratory failure. The student will be using human primary lung cells to model the condition of respiratory failure and advanced life support. The project will be in partnership with a leading biomed tech industry partner.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Load-Independent Right Ventricular Assessment by Echocardiography
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Fraser
-
Doctor Philosophy
The importance of blood flow pattern on ECMO and cardiogenic shock
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Fraser
-
Doctor Philosophy
Vascular Endothelial Injury, Repair and Preconditioning in the Artificial Circulation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Fraser
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
The differences in coagulation disturbances of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome subphenotypes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Fraser
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Speckle-Tracking Echocardiographic strain accounting for cardiac loading conditions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Fraser
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
A Comprehensive Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Pulsatile Flow Veno-arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Fraser
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
The Significance of Different Phenotypes in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) for Effective Treatment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Fraser
-
2022
Master Philosophy
Pre-clinical model development of electrical impedance tomography in the assessment of the pulmonary distribution of nebulized solutions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jayesh Dhanani, Dr Gianluigi Li Bassi, Professor John Fraser
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Combining Extracorporeal Life Support and Cell Therapy in Critical Illness: Mesenchymal stem cell therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Fraser
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
A Translational Approach to Potential Toxicity of Stored Blood Components
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John-Paul Tung, Professor John Fraser
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Modulating Protease-Activated Receptor 2
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Junxian Lim, Professor David Fairlie
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Properties of C5a Receptor on Human Macrophages
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Fairlie
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Jacky Suen directly for media enquiries about:
- Critical Care Medicine
- ECMO
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
- Heart Failure
- Heart transplant
- Respiratory Failure
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