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
Book Chapter
Role of cTnT Versus Echocardiography in Diagnosing the Early Myocardial Injury in Children on Doxorubicin for Cancer Chemotherapy: A Cross-sectional Study in a Tertiary Referral Centre in Kenya
Kariuki, Nyambura, Kimani, Esther, Jowi, Christine, Wamalwa, Dalton, Suen, Jacky Y., Fraser, John F. and Obonyo, Nchafatso G. (2025). Role of cTnT Versus Echocardiography in Diagnosing the Early Myocardial Injury in Children on Doxorubicin for Cancer Chemotherapy: A Cross-sectional Study in a Tertiary Referral Centre in Kenya. Medical Science: Trends and Innovations Vol. 6. (pp. 155-173) BP International. doi: 10.9734/bpi/msti/v6/2838
2025
Journal Article
The impact of acute exercise on hemostasis and angiogenesis mediators in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices: a prospective observational pilot study
Chan, Chris H. H., Passmore, Margaret R., Tronstad, Oystein, Seale, Helen, Bouquet, Mahe, White, Nicole, Teruya, Jun, Hogan, Airlie, Platts, David, Chan, Wandy, Dashwood, Alexander M., McGiffin, David C., Maiorana, Andrew J., Hayward, Christopher S., Simmonds, Michael J., Tansley, Geoff D., Suen, Jacky Y., Fraser, John F., Meyns, Bart, Fresiello, Libera and Jacobs, Steven (2025). The impact of acute exercise on hemostasis and angiogenesis mediators in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices: a prospective observational pilot study. ASAIO Journal, 71 (1), 11-20. doi: 10.1097/mat.0000000000002246
2024
Journal Article
A novel porcine model of bilateral hindlimb bypass graft surgery integrating transit time flowmetry
Haymet, Andrew B., Lau, Cora, Cho, Christina, O'Loughlin, Sean, Pinto, Nigel V., Mcgiffin, David C., Vallely, Michael P., Suen, Jacky Y. and Fraser, John F. (2024). A novel porcine model of bilateral hindlimb bypass graft surgery integrating transit time flowmetry. Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 19 (1) 661. doi: 10.1186/s13019-024-03192-x
2024
Journal Article
Early myocardial injury in children on doxorubicin for cancer chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary referral centre in Kenya
Kariuki, Nyambura, Kimani, Esther, Jowi, Christine, Wamalwa, Dalton, Suen, Jacky Y., Fraser, John F. and Obonyo, Nchafatso G. (2024). Early myocardial injury in children on doxorubicin for cancer chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary referral centre in Kenya. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 24 (1) 260, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12872-024-03922-y
2024
Journal Article
At-admission prediction of mortality and pulmonary embolism in an international cohort of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 using statistical and machine learning methods
Mesinovic, Munib, Wong, Xin Ci, Rajahram, Giri Shan, Citarella, Barbara Wanjiru, Peariasamy, Kalaiarasu M., van Someren Greve, Frank, Olliaro, Piero, Merson, Laura, Clifton, Lei, Kartsonaki, Christiana, Abdukahil, Sheryl Ann, Abdulkadir, Nurul Najmee, Abe, Ryuzo, Abel, Laurent, Abrous, Amal, Absil, Lara, Acker, Andrew, Adachi, Shingo, Adam, Elisabeth, Adriano, Enrico, Adrião, Diana, Ageel, Saleh Al, Ahmed, Shakeel, Aiello, Marina, Ainscough, Kate, Airlangga, Eka, Aisa, Tharwat, Hssain, Ali Ait, Tamlihat, Younes Ait ... Zucman, David (2024). At-admission prediction of mortality and pulmonary embolism in an international cohort of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 using statistical and machine learning methods. Scientific Reports, 14 (1) 16387. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-63212-7
2024
Journal Article
Open-lung ventilation versus no ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass in an innovative animal model of heart transplantation
Karnik, Varun, Colombo, Sebastiano Maria, Rickards, Leah, Heinsar, Silver, See Hoe, Louise E., Wildi, Karin, Passmore, Margaret R., Bouquet, Mahe, Sato, Kei, Ainola, Carmen, Bartnikowski, Nicole, Wilson, Emily S., Hyslop, Kieran, Skeggs, Kris, Obonyo, Nchafatso G., McDonald, Charles, Livingstone, Samantha, Abbate, Gabriella, Haymet, Andrew, Jung, Jae-Seung, Sato, Noriko, James, Lynnette, Lloyd, Benjamin, White, Nicole, Palmieri, Chiara, Buckland, Mark, Suen, Jacky Y., McGiffin, David C., Fraser, John F. and Li Bassi, Gianluigi (2024). Open-lung ventilation versus no ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass in an innovative animal model of heart transplantation. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 12 (1) 109. doi: 10.1186/s40635-024-00669-w
2024
Journal Article
Stroke in critically ill patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19: Disparities between low-middle and high-income countries
Battaglini, Denise, Kelly, Thu-Lan, Griffee, Matthew, Fanning, Jonathon, Premraj, Lavienraj, Whitman, Glenn, Porto, Diego Bastos, Arora, Rakesh, Thomson, David, Pelosi, Paolo, White, Nicole M., Bassi, Gianluigi Li, Suen, Jacky, Fraser, John F., Robba, Chiara, Cho, Sung-Min, Al-Dabbous, Tala, Alfoudri, Huda, Shamsah, Mohammed, Alfroukh, Khadeejeh, Bairmani, Zinah Aqeel Abdulzahra, Khalid, Khalid Jehad, Abukhalaf, Salsabeel M.A., Hadhoud, Mohammed Maher, Abdrabo, Mohamed Fouad, Fathi, Mohamed, Alhouri, Hasan, Shahla, Dr Hamza, Alhadad, Qamrah ... Abdehaleem, Ibrahim (2024). Stroke in critically ill patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19: Disparities between low-middle and high-income countries. Heart and Lung, 68, 131-144. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2024.06.015
2024
Journal Article
Sex differences in the outcome of critically Ill patients with COVID-19 - An international multicenter critical care consortium study
Premraj, Lavienraj, Weaver, Natasha Anne, Ahmad, Syed Ameen, White, Nicole, Whitman, Glenn, Arora, Rakesh, Battaglini, Denise, Fanning, Jonathon, Dalton, Heidi, Suen, Jacky, Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Fraser, John F., Robba, Chiara, Griffee, Matthew and Cho, Sung-Min (2024). Sex differences in the outcome of critically Ill patients with COVID-19 - An international multicenter critical care consortium study. Heart and Lung, 68, 373-380. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2024.09.001
2024
Journal Article
An ovine septic shock model of live bacterial infusion
Obonyo, Nchafatso G., Raman, Sainath, Suen, Jacky Y., Peters, Kate M., Phan, Minh-Duy, Passmore, Margaret R., Bouquet, Mahe, Wilson, Emily S., Hyslop, Kieran, Palmieri, Chiara, White, Nicole, Sato, Kei, Farah, Samia M., Gandini, Lucia, Liu, Keibun, Fior, Gabriele, Heinsar, Silver, Ijuin, Shinichi, Kyun Ro, Sun, Abbate, Gabriella, Ainola, Carmen, Sato, Noriko, Lundon, Brooke, Portatadino, Sofia, Rachakonda, Reema H., Schneider, Bailey, Harley, Amanda, See Hoe, Louise E., Schembri, Mark A. ... Fraser, John F. (2024). An ovine septic shock model of live bacterial infusion. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 12 (1) 94, 1-20. doi: 10.1186/s40635-024-00684-x
2024
Journal Article
Optimizing PEEP levels during injury development is essential to achieve clinically relevant ARDS in animal models
Liu, Keibun, Suen, Jacky Y., Wildi, Karin, Bassi, Gianluigi Li and Fraser, John F. (2024). Optimizing PEEP levels during injury development is essential to achieve clinically relevant ARDS in animal models. Bulletin of the National Research Centre, 48 (1) 106, 1-4. doi: 10.1186/s42269-024-01262-7
2024
Journal Article
Echocardiographic surrogate of left ventricular stroke work in a model of brain stem death donors
Sato, Kei, See Hoe, Louise, Chan, Jonathan, Obonyo, Nchafatso G., Wildi, Karin, Heinsar, Silver, Colombo, Sebastiano M., Ainola, Carmen, Abbate, Gabriella, Sato, Noriko, Passmore, Margaret R., Bouquet, Mahe, Wilson, Emily S., Hyslop, Kieran, Livingstone, Samantha, Haymet, Andrew, Jung, Jae‐Seung, Skeggs, Kris, Palmieri, Chiara, White, Nicole, Platts, David, Suen, Jacky Y., McGiffin, David C., Li Bassi, Gianluigi and Fraser, John F. (2024). Echocardiographic surrogate of left ventricular stroke work in a model of brain stem death donors. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 54 (10) e14259. doi: 10.1111/eci.14259
2024
Journal Article
A novel echocardiographic parameter considering left ventricular afterload during V‐A ECMO support
Sato, Kei, Heinsar, Silver, Chan, Jonathan, Farah, Samia M., Wildi, Karin, Obonyo, Nchafatso G., Liu, Keibun, Ainola, Carmen, Sato, Noriko, Abbate, Gabriella, Wilson, Emily S., Bouquet, Mahé, Hyslop, Kieran, Passmore, Margaret R., Ijuin, Shinichi, Ro, Sun Kyun, Fior, Gabriele, Gandini, Lucia, Lundon, Brooke, Platts, David G., Suen, Jacky Y., Li Bassi, Gianluigi and Fraser, John F. (2024). A novel echocardiographic parameter considering left ventricular afterload during V‐A ECMO support. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 54 (10) e14263, 1-11. doi: 10.1111/eci.14263
2024
Conference Publication
In vivo isolated lung perfusion: an innovative platform for assessing lung injury propagation in ARDS
Fior, Gabriele, Lloyd, Benjamin, Liu, Keibun, Milani, Angelo, Obonyo, Nchafatso, Hoshino, Kota, Nonaka, Hideaki, Abbate, Gabriella, Portatadino, Sofia, Panduru, Rachana, Hyslop, Kieran, Passmore, Margaret, Meechan-Brown, Carolyn, Redmond, Kendal, Slaughter, Richard, Garlick, Bruce, Mcgiffin, David, Suen, Jacky, Fraser, John and Li Bassi, Gianluigi (2024). In vivo isolated lung perfusion: an innovative platform for assessing lung injury propagation in ARDS. European Respiratory Society Congress (ERS), Vienna, Austria, 7-11 September 2024. Sheffield, United Kingdom: European Respiratory Society. doi: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2024.pa845
2024
Conference Publication
Development of Right Ventricular Dysfunction Induced by Respiratory Failure: Insights from an Ovine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Nonaka, Hideaki, Liu, Keibun, Milani, Angelo, Fior, Gabriele, Hoshino, Kota, Obonyo, Nchafatso, Portatadino, Sofia, Abbate, Gabriella, Panduru, Rachana, McInerney, Molly-Rose, Passmore, Margaret, Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Suen, Jacky and Fraser, John F. (2024). Development of Right Ventricular Dysfunction Induced by Respiratory Failure: Insights from an Ovine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. 35th Annual ELSO Conference, Detroit, MI United States, 28 September - 1 October 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. doi: 10.1097/01.mat.0001070112.10477.fa
2024
Journal Article
Protocol for high-plex, whole-slide imaging of human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue using PhenoCycler-Fusion
Donovan, Meg L., Jhaveri, Niyati, Ma, Ning, Cheikh, Bassem Ben, DeRosa, James, Mihani, Ritu, Berrell, Naomi, Suen, Jacky Y., Monkman, James, Fraser, John F. and Kulasinghe, Arutha (2024). Protocol for high-plex, whole-slide imaging of human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue using PhenoCycler-Fusion. STAR Protocols, 5 (3) 103226, 103226. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103226
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
Novel Right Heart Assessment by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Fraser
-
Doctor Philosophy
Load-Independent Right Ventricular Assessment by Echocardiography
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Vascular Endothelial Injury, Repair and Preconditioning in the Artificial Circulation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Fraser
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Speckle-Tracking Echocardiographic strain accounting for cardiac loading conditions
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, 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
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Modulating Protease-Activated Receptor 2
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Junxian Lim, Professor David Fairlie
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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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