MEET OUR RESEARCH TEAMS
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Clinical Scientists
DR AMY WILSON O'BRIEN
CLINICAL SCIENTIST
DR AMY HAMILTON
CLINICAL SCIENTIST
Dr Amy Wilson O'Brien is a Clinical Scientist and Researcher with over 15 years of experience in gastroenterology and clinical trials. Based at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and The University of Melbourne, she works closely with patients, clinicians, and research teams to improve the understanding and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Amy has helped lead several major international studies, including those exploring diet, gut health, and the microbiome, and has published widely in respected medical journals. She is passionate about turning complex science into real-world health improvements and plays a key role in mentoring future researchers.
Dr Amy Hamilton is a clinical scientist and translational researcher specialising in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a particular focus on the role of the gut microbiome in Crohn’s disease.
Dr Hamilton's research bridges clinical and laboratory sciences, involving large-scale investigator-initiated trials and international collaborations. Her work has contributed to key findings in the monitoring, prediction, and treatment of postoperative Crohn’s disease, including the use of non-invasive serological markers, therapeutic drug monitoring, and microbiome profiling. She played a central role in the ENIGMA and POCER studies and has published extensively in both clinical and basic science journals.
With over 2,000 citations and an H-index of 19, Dr Hamilton is recognised for her impactful contributions to the fields of gastroenterology and microbiome research. She is also active in scientific peer review and supervises postgraduate students, supporting the next generation of clinician-researchers.
Laboratory Scientists
THOMAS JACOB
Thomas Eric Jacob OAM, Managing Director of private company, Ironman 4x4 for the past 38 years. Ironman 4x4 is a global leading brand of 4x4 Accessories and Outdoor leisure products.
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Tom was awarded an OAM for Philanthropy in supporting a wide range of charitable institutions.
BRUCE HARTNETT
Bruce Charles Hartnett AM has a 30 year career in the Victorian and Australian Governments, in the private sector with ICI and the National Australia Bank, and at the ACTU. For 10 years he was Chair of the Victorian Public Sector Commission, and on the Board of VicSuper and the RACV. He was Chair, for 8 years, of Odyssey House, Victoria - a leading alcohol and drug rehabilitation organisation. Member of the Victorian Government Review of University Governance.
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Bruce received an Order of Australia for his voluntary work on a range of educational issues which included 22 years as the President of the Council of the School for Student Leadership (originally known as the Alpine School).
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RAYMOND GIDEON SHAW
Dr Gideon Shaw is a consultant gastroenterologist. He founded the Waverley Endoscopy Centre in 1991 and continues to run this centre as one of the directors.
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Gideon completed undergraduate medical training at Prince Henry's and St Vincent's Hospitals, Melbourne and at the University of Texas. He was a consultant gastroenterologist at the Royal Melbourne and St Vincent's Hospitals, and remains heavily involved in training gastroenterologists. Gideon maintains a strong interest in the ethics of medicine and medical practice, having completed a post-graduate Master's degree in Bioethics.
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