Claire is the principal endocrinologist and founder of the Hunter Diabetes Centre and AIM Research. Claire is passionate about the Centre being a friendly, holistic environment for anyone with diabetes.

An international speaker and favoured expert, Claire ensures the practice remains the world’s best for the treatment and management of diabetes and related illnesses.

Claire and the Centre is dedicated to clinical research in diabetes and non-diabetes therapies and strives to provide personalised care for all patients, treating each on an individual needs basis.

Born and raised in London, Claire completed her initial medical training in Leeds before moving to Australia in 2000. Claire completed her endocrinology training at the John Hunter Hospital and started private practice in 2008.

Claire completed her endocrinology training at the John Hunter Hospital and started private practice in 2008, regularly seeing patients at Lingard Private, Lake Macquarie Private and Newcastle Private Hospitals.

Dr Ushank Ranasinghe is a Dual Specialist in Endocrinology and General Medicine and a visiting medical officer at John Hunter Hospital and Gosford Hospital.

Ushank graduated from the University of Manchester, UK, in 2011 and completed physician training at John Hunter Hospital and Royal Darwin Hospital to obtain a dual fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP).

Ushank is keen to provide patient-centred care through a holistic approach. He offers consultative services across Diabetes and Endocrinology. His clinical areas of interest include adult diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy, perioperative diabetes management, osteoporosis, electrolyte disorders, immunotherapy-related endocrinopathies and general endocrinology.

Ushank is dedicated to clinical research and is involved in clinical trials for diabetes and non-diabetes-related therapies and has published research in leading international peer-reviewed journals and presented at various national and international conferences.

Kate has been part of the team as a Clinical Trial Coordinator since January 2016. Originally from Newcastle, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science (Hons) from the University of Newcastle in 2000. After a few years travelling, she began her clinical trial career in Sydney as a Clinical Trial Project Manager working for a Clinical Research Organisation. This provided a great exposure to different therapeutic areas, as well as working with different pharmaceutical companies across the globe.

Fast forward a few years, a couple of kids, partner and a couple of dogs, Kate returned to Newcastle to raise her family, and decided to work in the same industry, but from a different perspective.

She loves seeing the positive impact clinical trials can have on her patient’s quality of life, and loves a cuppa and catch-up with her patients. For fun, she enjoys camping, singing with her choir on a Wednesday night, and drinking nice red wine.

Maureen is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience across a broad variety of areas. She lived and worked abroad for almost 18 of those years with her husband and three children spending most of the time in Uzbekistan, Bangladesh and Poland. They returned home to Australia in 2009 and settled in Newcastle.

When Maureen’s son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2015, she learned first-hand how truly fortunate he was to be referred to the Hunter Diabetes Centre for ongoing care. She calls it a ‘sliding door moment’ for which they will be forever grateful. Determined to learn as much as she could about this condition, Maureen went back to University and undertook the Diabetes Management and Education course. She started with the team in late 2017 as a trial coordinator and worked towards her Credentialing as a Diabetes Educator.

Having a strong family history of both Type 1 and 2 Diabetes, Maureen is passionate about improving outcomes for people living with these conditions and has seen how clinical research has positively changed lives. She enjoys sailing, walking (although hates walking in sand – don’t mention Coastrek!), renovating an old house, and is very partial to a good white wine.

Suzanne has been with the team since July 2022. She has had previous Clinical Trial Coordinator experience with the MS Team at John Hunter Hospital, and also has extensive laboratory experience including being a laboratory manager. She loves the interaction with the trial participants and hopes they enjoy their visits too! She has a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science from the University of Sydney.

Brought up in a small coastal community near Coffs Harbour, she loves Nature, art, travel and her three children, but is terrible at snooker. Suzanne truly believes that Clinical trial participants are society’s heroes that help bring everyone closer to a healthier life.

Avril is an experienced Quality Associate professional with over 15 years of experience in the TGA, FDA, EU & IMB regulated industry, including high volume drug product and API manufacturing. She has worked in laboratories, aseptic and clinical environments. Avril has an Honours in Applied Bioscience from the Cork Institute of Technology. Avril brings experience in all aspects of clinical trials, from conception though to clinical study report completion.

Originally from Ireland, she relocated to Newcastle over 12 years ago. Avril is passionate about finding new treatments options through clinical research and bringing new treatments one step closer to reaching patients worldwide. Outside of work Avril is a wife, a mother of three kids who loves travelling and exploring Australia.

Belinda is an experienced administrative assistant previously working in industries such as finance, government and fire safety. A mother of two older teens has given Belinda a little more time to invest in herself recently by enrolling in a Health Sciences degree online in order to further her career in health, a huge passion. Although new to clinical trials, Belinda brings commitment, organisational skills and a willingness to learn.

Living in Newcastle and the Hunter all her life, Belinda is passionate about health, particularly nutrition and exercise, and hopes to achieve a role in health promotion once she has finished her degree. Outside of work Belinda loves going to the gym, running, and reading.

Julie Maccallum joined the Hunter Diabetes Team as the Clinical Trials Assistant in 2018, and after a hiatus living overseas returned to the Aim Team in 2023. Julie believes in providing personalised care and the role of research in benefiting the whole community.

Julie has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of Newcastle and Certificate IV in Business Administration. Julie is inspired by the caring team working at AIM Research and the patients that dedicate their time and efforts to clinical trials.

Outside of work Julie enjoys hiking, cooking and travelling with her family.

Karissa is from the Hunter valley born and raised, and still resides there with her husband and fur baby Minnie. She enjoys spending her time with her much loved family and friends.

Karissa has her certificate III in Pathology collection and has over 7 years’ experience in the Pathology industry, from venipuncture to diagnostic testing and the processing of samples. She also does love a good challenge when it comes to difficult veins.

Chris started with AIM research in early 2024, originating from the Tamworth region, and has been a Novocastrian since 2002. Beginning with a career in nursing, specialising in mental health and disabilities before studying Biotechnology and moving to a research career in molecular plant science, conducting several agricultural field trials. Returning to the health field and settling down with family, Chris brings a wide range of knowledge and experience to the team.

Chris is an avid hiker and motorcycle enthusiast when not conducting research trials and has covered much of the east coast of Australia but is always after a lead on a new adventure.

Jacinta joined the team in February 2024. Originally graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing, her background has been in the anaesthetic and recovery departments in the local Newcastle region.

As a lover of the ocean, her weekends are spent swimming, snorkelling or taking her dogs to the beach for a run.

Jacinta believes in providing patients with knowledge and tools so they are confident in making decisions about their health. So far, she has enjoyed seeing individuals improve their lifestyles and is inspired by the positive influence clinical trials has on the community.