Overview
Background
Dr Nchafatso G. Obonyo (BSc Hons, MB.ChB, DTM&H, MD/PhD, FCRcert)
Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the Critical Care Research Group-The Prince Charles Hospital, Institute of Molecular Bioscience-The University of Queensland. Main research focus is cardiac critical care and sepsis research.
Visiting Fellow in the Academic Division, Medical Engineering Research Facility, Queenlsand University of Technology. Fellow of the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL) at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kenya; Global Health Fellow, Wellcome Trust Centre for Global Health Research at Imperial College London,UK.
Recipient of the 2023 Africa Top-40 Under-40 Science Award and the 2023 African Professional in Australia of the Year Award.
Availability
- Dr Nchafatso Obonyo is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Open University (UK)
Research interests
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Sepsis and Septic Shock Resuscitation
Research on the effects of resuscitation on the microcirculation in sepsis and septic shock
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Cardiac and microvascular dysfunction in sepsis
Research on non-invasive imaging of cardiac and microvascular function in sepsis and septic shock states
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Cardiac critical care
Research on cardiac emergency and intensive care
Research impacts
Dr Obonyo's research work on septic shock and haemodynamic resuscitation highlights the global impact of sepsis and the importance of investigating resuscitation-associated dysfunction of the heart and vascular endothelium:
1. World Sepsis Day (13 September): https://youtu.be/VkAxQ0BD2QU
2. Aggressive fluid resucitation worsens endotoxaemic shock: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 Oct 15;198(8):1043-1054: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29882682/
3. Resuscitation-associated endotheliopathy: https://www.ccrg.org.au/all-publications/rase
Dr Obonyo has also received awards for his research work including:
a. Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and Innovations Research Grant awarded by The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation (https://www.thecommongood.org.au/news/meet-doctor-nchafatso-obonyo/)
b. Continental recognition winning the 2023 Africa Top-40 Under-40 Award in Science and the Africa (https://www.ccrg.org.au/news/fortyunder40)
c. African Professional in Australia award in 2023 awarded across all professionals by the African Professionals of Australia (https://www.ccrg.org.au/news/obonyo-wins-national-apa-accolade)
Works
Search Professor Nchafatso Obonyo’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
The challenges of using ultrasound to measure the trachea: a brief report
Newman, Helen, Allen, Jodi, Narayanan, Madan, Obonyo, Nchafatso, Syahrunnizar, Nur, Hammet, Karen, Parry, David, Wallace, Sarah, Sutt, Anna-Liisa, Osterwalder, Joseph and Martin, Daniel (2025). The challenges of using ultrasound to measure the trachea: a brief report. Critical Care, 29 (1) 265, 1. doi: 10.1186/s13054-025-05499-0
2025
Journal Article
The impact of critical illness on the outcomes of cardiac surgery in patients with acute infective endocarditis
Matebele, Mbakise P., Vemuri, Kanthi R., Sedgwick, John F., Marshall, Lachlan, Horvath, Robert, Obonyo, Nchafatso G. and Ramanan, Mahesh (2025). The impact of critical illness on the outcomes of cardiac surgery in patients with acute infective endocarditis. Hearts, 6 (2) 15, 15. doi: 10.3390/hearts6020015
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
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
Heartbeat Interference on Ventilator Pressure-time Waveform to Predict Recruitability and Overdistention
Milani, A., Fior, G., Liu, K., Wildi, K., Semenzin, C., 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. International Conference of the American-Thoracic-Society (ATS), San Francisco Ca, May 16-21, 2025. NEW YORK: AMER THORACIC SOC.
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
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
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., Bosch, 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. International Conference of the American-Thoracic-Society (ATS), San Francisco Ca, May 16-21, 2025. NEW YORK: AMER THORACIC SOC.
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
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
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
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, 109. doi: 10.1186/s40635-024-00669-w
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
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, 1-11. 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
Impact of hemoglobin levels on composite cardiac arrest or stroke outcome in patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19
Feng, Shi Nan, Kelly, Thu-Lan, Fraser, John F., Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Suen, Jacky, Zaaqoq, Akram, Griffee, Matthew J., Arora, Rakesh C., White, Nicole, Whitman, Glenn, Robba, Chiara, Battaglini, Denise, Cho, Sung-Min, on behalf of COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium (CCCC) and Obonyo, Gikenyi N. (2024). Impact of hemoglobin levels on composite cardiac arrest or stroke outcome in patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Critical Care Explorations, 6 (9) e1143, 1-12. doi: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000001143
2024
Journal Article
SEVUparin as a potential adjunctive treatment in children with severe malaria: a phase I trial safety and dose finding trial (SEVUSMAART)
Maitland, Kathryn, Hamaluba, Mainga, Obonyo, Nchafatso, Oguda, Emmanuel, Mogoka, Christabel, Williams, Thomas N., Chaponda, Mike, Miti, Sam, Kamavu, Luc Kambale, Jonathan Gwasupika, Jonathan, Connon, Roisin, Gibb, Diana M., Dondorp, Arjen, Day, Nick, White, Nick, Walker, A. Sarah, George, Elizabeth C. and Severe Malaria in African Children A Research and Trials (SMAART) consortium (2024). SEVUparin as a potential adjunctive treatment in children with severe malaria: a phase I trial safety and dose finding trial (SEVUSMAART). Wellcome Open Research, 8 484, 484. doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.20111.2
2024
Journal Article
Effects of red blood cell transfusion on patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Queensland – a retrospective cohort study
Obonyo, Nchafatso. G., Dhanapathy, Vikash, White, Nicole, Sela, Declan P., Rachakonda, Reema H., Tunbridge, Matthew, Sim, Beatrice, Teo, Derek, Nadeem, Zohaib, See Hoe, Louise E., Bassi, Gianluigi Li, Fanning, Jonathon P., Tung, John-Paul, Suen, Jacky Y. and Fraser, John F. (2024). Effects of red blood cell transfusion on patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Queensland – a retrospective cohort study. Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 19 (1) 475, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s13019-024-02974-7
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Nchafatso Obonyo is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Pre-clinical models of cardiac critical illness
Resuscitation-associated endotheliopathy in shock states
https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-023-02385-0
Media
Enquiries
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