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.

Amie has a background is nursing with experience in Psychiatry, paediatrics and neonatal settings. More recently Amie has spent three years working in a remote, rural community in Western NSW where she gained experience in Emergency as well as primary health care.

Amie has a passion for primary and preventative health care. She completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management at Deakin University in 2021, piloted by her personal experience living with type 1 diabetes. Amie hopes to be able to further progress as a diabetes nurse educator to empower and support others living with diabetes in the Newcastle community and surrounds.

Amie is also involved in clinical research conducted here at Hunter Diabetes Centre, particularly surrounding pharmaceutical advancements in diabetes.

Amie was born in Newcastle but grew up and completed schooling in the Northern Rivers, NSW. She attended Newcastle University and completed a bachelor of nursing in 2017. Amie is a big fan of the great outdoors, her enthusiastic family, and of course her dog Vinnie.

Sara is currently a third year Biomedical Science Student studying at the University of Newcastle, she has also completed a certificate in Cert III Allied Health.

She is interested in learning and exploring the physiology and anatomy of the human body, and applying that knowledge into a clinical/diagnostic area.

Sara is originally from Portugal and moved to Australia with her family in 2011. Outside of work she enjoys dancing salsa, cooking, travelling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Dr Sergio Diez Alvarez is a specialist physician with a genuine passion for general medicine. He trained as a specialist in South Africa and was in private practice as a general physician for a decade before immigrating to Australia.

He has practiced acute and general medicine across a broad range of rural and regional settings. He has Fellowships in Internal Medicine from 5 international colleges and has Fellowships in Medical Administration and Health Services management, underpinning his commitment to provide holistic and integrated care. Dr Diez Alvarez is well known for his interest in chronic conditions, especially type 2 Diabetes, and the management of multi-morbid patients.

He is undertaking a PhD in the field of diabetes and healthcare technology. He has an interest in interdisciplinary medical education and has been a lifelong learner and educator. He has an interest in research and has undertaken research in the areas of diabetes, cardiovascular medicine, and vaccines.