Overview
Background
Professor Kristen Gibbons is Group Lead of the Children’s Intensive Care Research Program at the Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Co-Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Paediatric Study Group (ANZICS PSG).
Professor Gibbons holds qualifications in mathematics, information technology, biostatistics, and research communication, and completed her PhD in Biostatistics at UQ. Her career has been dedicated to transforming outcomes for critically ill children through the design and delivery of large-scale international clinical trials and the development of innovative digital platforms to support high-quality research.
She has been instrumental in leading landmark studies, including the NITRIC trial, the largest trial ever undertaken in paediatric congenital heart disease surgery. This trial demonstrated no benefit of using nitric oxide during cardiopulmonary bypass, changing clinical practice internationally and influencing guidance from the American Academy of Paediatrics. Alongside this, Professor Gibbons has pioneered a comprehensive clinical trials digital platform now used across more than 20 projects and 10,000 patient records worldwide.
Professor Gibbons’ research spans clinical trial methodologies, epidemiology, machine learning, prediction modelling, and bioethics, with a strong commitment to improving consent practices in paediatric and adult intensive care research. Her leadership has attracted over $22 million in competitive grant funding, including major NHMRC and MRFF awards, and her contributions have been recognised with the UQ Faculty of Medicine Leader of the Future Award (2023) and the Child Health Research Centre Collaborator of the Year Award (2024).
She is also deeply invested in training and mentoring the next generation of clinician-researchers and data scientists, supervising PhD, Masters, and biostatistics students.
Availability
- Professor Kristen Gibbons is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Clinical Trials
Paediatric Clinical Trials
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Precision Medicine
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Common Interventions in Intensive Care
Antibiotics and Intravenous Fluids
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Clinical Trial Methodology
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Sepsis
Identification & Treatment
Research impacts
Professor Gibbons has led landmark international clinical trials, including the largest study in paediatric congenital heart disease surgery, which changed global practice by demonstrating no benefit of nitric oxide during cardiopulmonary bypass. She has pioneered innovative digital platforms now supporting more than 20 trials and 10,000 patient records, enhancing data quality and trial efficiency worldwide. Her work in clinical trial methodology, machine learning, and bioethics is transforming paediatric critical care and shaping international standards for research and practice.
Works
Search Professor Kristen Gibbons’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Defining woman-centred care: A concept analysis
Brady, Susannah, Gibbons, Kristen S. and Bogossian, Fiona (2024). Defining woman-centred care: A concept analysis. Midwifery, 131 103954, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.103954
2024
Journal Article
Platelet reactivity in young children undergoing congenital heart disease surgery: a NITRIC randomized clinical trial substudy
van Loon, Kim, Koomen, Erik, Hiensch, Senna, van Belle- van Haaren, Nicole J. C. W., Koelhuis-Faber, Mizja, Charlier, Jean-Luc, Lammers, Jan, Imhof, Oscar, Nijman, Joppe, van Wijk, Abraham, Breur, Johannes M. P. J., Gibbons, Kristen, Butt, Warwick, Schlapbach, Luregn J., Horton, Stephen, Korporaal, Suzanne and the NITRIC Study Group (2024). Platelet reactivity in young children undergoing congenital heart disease surgery: a NITRIC randomized clinical trial substudy. Intensive Care Medicine – Paediatric and Neonatal, 2 (1) 13. doi: 10.1007/s44253-024-00037-2
2024
Journal Article
Establishing a paediatric critical care core quality measure set using a multistakeholder, consensus-driven process
Schults, Jessica A., Charles, Karina R., Millar, Johnny, Rickard, Claire M., Chopra, Vineet, Lake, Anna, Gibbons, Kristen, Long, Debbie, Rahiman, Sarfaraz, Hutching, Katrina, Winderlich, Jacinta, Spotswood, Naomi E., Johansen, Amy, Secombe, Paul, Pizimolas, Georgina A., Tu, Quyen, Waak, Michaela, Allen, Meredith, McMullan, Brendan and Hall, Lisa (2024). Establishing a paediatric critical care core quality measure set using a multistakeholder, consensus-driven process. Critical Care and Resuscitation, 26 (2), 71-79. doi: 10.1016/j.ccrj.2024.01.002
2024
Journal Article
Assessing the impact of risk-based data monitoring on outcomes for a paediatric multicentre randomised controlled trial
Le Marsney, Renate, Johnson, Kerry, Chumbes Flores, Jenipher, Coetzer, Shelley, Darvas, Jennifer, Delzoppo, Carmel, Jolly, Arielle, Masterson, Kate, Sherring, Claire, Thomson, Hannah, Ergetu, Endrias, Gilholm, Patricia and Gibbons, Kristen S. (2024). Assessing the impact of risk-based data monitoring on outcomes for a paediatric multicentre randomised controlled trial. Clinical Trials, 21 (4), 461-469. doi: 10.1177/17407745231222019
2024
Journal Article
Resuscitation with early adrenaline infusion for children with septic shock: a randomized pilot trial
Harley, Amanda, George, Shane, Phillips, Natalie, King, Megan, Long, Debbie, Keijzers, Gerben, Lister, Paula, Raman, Sainath, Bellomo, Rinaldo, Gibbons, Kristen, Schlapbach, Luregn J. and on behalf of Resuscitation in Paediatric Sepsis Randomized Controlled Pilot Platform Study in the Emergency Department (RESPOND ED) Study Group (2024). Resuscitation with early adrenaline infusion for children with septic shock: a randomized pilot trial. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 25 (2), 106-117. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000003351
2024
Journal Article
Resuscitation with vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamin in children with septic shock: a multicenter randomized pilot study
Schlapbach, Luregn J., Raman, Sainath, Buckley, David, George, Shane, King, Megan, Ridolfi, Roberta, Harley, Amanda, Cree, Michele, Long, Debbie, Erickson, Simon, Singh, Puneet, Festa, Marino, Gibbons, Kristen, Bellomo, Rinaldo and on behalf of Resuscitation in Paediatric Sepsis Randomized Controlled Pilot Platform in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (RESPOND PICU) Study Investigators and the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Paediatric Study Group (2024). Resuscitation with vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamin in children with septic shock: a multicenter randomized pilot study. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 25 (2), 159-170. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000003346
2024
Journal Article
Serum levels of vitamin C and thiamin in children with suspected sepsis: a prospective observational cohort study
McWhinney, Brett, Ungerer, Jacobus, LeMarsey, Renate, Phillips, Natalie, Raman, Sainath, Gibbons, Kristen, Schlapbach, Luregn J., on behalf of Rapid Acute Paediatric Infection Diagnosis in Suspected Sepsis (RAPIDS) Study Investigators, Irwin, Adam (RAPIDS member) and Bialasiewicz, Seweryn (RAPIDS member) (2024). Serum levels of vitamin C and thiamin in children with suspected sepsis: a prospective observational cohort study. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 25 (2), 171-176. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000003349
2024
Conference Publication
Healthcare-associated complications in critically ill children: A propensity score matched study
Schults, Jessica, Hall, Lisa, Charles, Karina, Rickard, Claire, Le Marsney, Renate, Byrnes, Joshua, Rahiman, Sarfaraz, Long, Debbie, Lake, Anna and Gibbons, Kristen (2024). Healthcare-associated complications in critically ill children: A propensity score matched study. Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society/Australian College of Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care Annual Scientific meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-12 April 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.07.003
2024
Conference Publication
Family functioning post paediatric intensive care admission
Charles, Karina, Gibbons, Kristen, Dow, Belinda, Minogue, Jessicah, Schults, Jessica, Stocker, Christian and Long, Debbie (2024). Family functioning post paediatric intensive care admission. Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society/Australian College of Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care Annual Scientific meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-12 April 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.07.035
2024
Journal Article
Post-traumatic stress and health-related quality of life after admission to paediatric intensive care: Longitudinal associations in mother–child dyads
Long, Debbie A., Gilholm, Patricia, Le Brocque, Robyne, Kenardy, Justin, Gibbons, Kristen and Dow, Belinda L. (2024). Post-traumatic stress and health-related quality of life after admission to paediatric intensive care: Longitudinal associations in mother–child dyads. Australian Critical Care, 37 (1), 98-105. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2023.10.004
2024
Conference Publication
Current perspectives, knowledge, and practices of long-term follow-up care after PICU discharge in Australia and New Zealand
Anthony, Lori, Slater, Anthony, Stocker, Christian, Croston, Elizabeth, Erickson, Simon, Delzoppo, Carmel, Gibbons, Kristen, Masterson, Kate, Namachivayam, Siva, Festa, Marino, Lister, Paula, Egan, Jonathan, Millar, Johnny, Schlapbach, Luregn, Sherring, Claire, Butt, Warwick, Gilchrist, Michelle, Quadir, Ashfaque, Waak, Michaela, Ferguson, Alexandra, Dow, Belinda and Long, Deb (2024). Current perspectives, knowledge, and practices of long-term follow-up care after PICU discharge in Australia and New Zealand. Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society/Australian College of Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care Annual Scientific meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-12 April 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.07.057
2024
Conference Publication
Defining core quality measures for paediatric critical care using a multi-stakeholder, consensus driven process
Schults, Jessica, Charles, Karina, Rickard, Claire, Miller, Johnny, Lake, Anna, Gibbons, Kristen, Long, Debbie, Rahiman, Sarfaraz, Hutching, Katrina and Hall, Lisa (2024). Defining core quality measures for paediatric critical care using a multi-stakeholder, consensus driven process. Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society/Australian College of Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care Annual Scientific meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-12 April 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.07.021
2023
Journal Article
REstrictive versus StandarD FlUid Management in Mechanically Ventilated ChildrEn Admitted to PICU: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial (REDUCE-1)
Raman, Sainath, Rahiman, Sarfaraz, Kennedy, Melanie, Mattke, Adrian, Venugopal, Prem, McBride, Craig, Tu, Quyen, Zapf, Florian, Kuhlwein, Eva, Woodgate, Jemma, Singh, Puneet, Schlapbach, Luregn J. and Gibbons, Kristen S. (2023). REstrictive versus StandarD FlUid Management in Mechanically Ventilated ChildrEn Admitted to PICU: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial (REDUCE-1). BMJ Open, 13 (11) e076460, 1-8. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076460
2023
Conference Publication
CAN SERUM LACTATE ON ADMISSION TO INTENSIVE CARE PREDICT LENGTH OF STAY? A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY PATIENTS
Sim, Megan, Gilholm, Patricia, Ergetu, Endrias, Raj, Trisha Soosay, Gibbons, Kristen and Raman, Sainath (2023). CAN SERUM LACTATE ON ADMISSION TO INTENSIVE CARE PREDICT LENGTH OF STAY? A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY PATIENTS. 55th Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), Ottawa, Canada, 11 - 14 October 2023. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/pbc.30748
2023
Conference Publication
Developing an evidence-based international definition of woman-centred care to inform practice
Brady, Susannah, Bogossian, Fiona and Gibbons, Kristen (2023). Developing an evidence-based international definition of woman-centred care to inform practice. Australian College of Midwives National Conference – Be the Change, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 12 – 14 September 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.07.043
2023
Journal Article
Adaptive clinical trials in pediatric critical care: a systematic review
Gilholm, Patricia, Ergetu, Endrias, Gelbart, Ben, Raman, Sainath, Festa, Marino, Schlapbach, Luregn J., Long, Debbie, Gibbons, Kristen S. and on behalf of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Paediatric Study Group (2023). Adaptive clinical trials in pediatric critical care: a systematic review. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 24 (9), 738-749. doi: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000003273
2023
Journal Article
Impact of 1-hour and 3-hour sepsis time bundles on antibiotic use in emergency departments in Queensland, Australia: a before-and-after cohort study
Wilks, Kathryn, Mason, Donna, Rice, Michael, Seaton, Robert, Redpath, Lyndell, Gibbons, Kristen, Ergetu, Endrias, Lane, Paul and Venkatesh, Balasubramanian (2023). Impact of 1-hour and 3-hour sepsis time bundles on antibiotic use in emergency departments in Queensland, Australia: a before-and-after cohort study. BMJ Open, 13 (9) e072167, 1-9. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072167
2023
Journal Article
Longitudinal cohort study investigating neurodevelopmental and socioemotional outcomes in school-entry aged children after open heart surgery in Australia and New Zealand: the NITRIC follow-up study protocol
Long, Debbie, Anderson, Vicki A., Crossley, Louise, Sood, Nikita Tuli, Charles, Karina R., MacDonald, Anna D., Bora, Samudragupta, Pestell, Carmela F., Murrell, Kathryn, Pride, Natalie A., Anderson, Peter J., Badawi, Nadia, Rose, Brian, Baillie, Heidi, Masterson, Kate, Chumbes Flores, Jenipher, Sherring, Claire, Raman, Sainath, Beca, John, Erickson, Simon, Festa, Marino, Anderson, Benjamin W., Venugopal, Prem, Yim, Deane, Andrews, David, Cheung, Michael, Brizard, Christian, Gentles, Thomas L., Iyengar, Ajay ... Gibbons, Kristen S. (2023). Longitudinal cohort study investigating neurodevelopmental and socioemotional outcomes in school-entry aged children after open heart surgery in Australia and New Zealand: the NITRIC follow-up study protocol. BMJ Open, 13 (8) e075429, e075429. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075429
2023
Journal Article
Improving outcomes for infants after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery for congenital heart disease: a commentary on recent randomized controlled trials
Schlapbach, Luregn J., Gibbons, Kristen S., Butt, Warwick, Kannankeril, Prince J., Li, Jennifer S., Hill, Kevin D. and for the Nitric Oxide During Cardiopulmonary Bypass to Improve Recovery in Infants With Congenital Heart Defects Follow-Up (NITRIC) Study Group and the Steroids to Reduce Systemic Inflammation after Infant Heart Surgery (STRESS) Network Investigators (2023). Improving outcomes for infants after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery for congenital heart disease: a commentary on recent randomized controlled trials. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 24 (11), 961-965. doi: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000003344
2023
Journal Article
Predicting the need for insulin treatment: a risk-based approach to the management of women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Koefoed, Anna S., McIntyre, H. David, Gibbons, Kristen S., Poulsen, Charlotte W., Fuglsang, Jens and Ovesen, Per G. (2023). Predicting the need for insulin treatment: a risk-based approach to the management of women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Reproductive Medicine, 4 (3), 133-144. doi: 10.3390/reprodmed4030014
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Kristen Gibbons is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and incorporating the consumer voice in paediatric intensive care research
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bec Jenkinson, Dr Sainath Raman
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Doctor Philosophy
Machine learning in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit: Development of Risk Prediction Models
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sainath Raman, Dr Trish Gilholm
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating optimal nutrition intervention in Paediatric ExtrcorporealLife Support
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sainath Raman
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Measuring and Defining Woman-Centred Care: A Mixed Methods Study
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fiona Bogossian
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Decreased fetal movement and mobile application interventions during pregnancy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Fran Boyle, Professor Sailesh Kumar, Honorary Professor Vicki Flenady
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Maternal and perinatal factors associated with adverse perinatal outcomes at term and the development of a predictive model for identification of at risk pregnancies.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Vicki Flenady, Professor Sailesh Kumar
Media
Enquiries
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