-
Principal Investigators
Prof. Christopher Gilfillan
Director of Endocrinology, Eastern Health since 2008
Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Eastern Clinical School, Monash University
Director Eastern Clinical Research Unit (ECRU) - Endocrinology
Professor Chris Gilfillan is currently the Director of Endocrinology at Eastern Health and has a private endocrine practice in Box Hill and Frankston. He oversees an active clinical research program and is the Principal Investigator on all the clinical trials within the department. He has clinical interests in all aspects of endocrinology and research interests in type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, thyroid cancer, osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.
Through the Eastern Health Clinical School, he is a Clinical Professor at both Monash University and Deakin University and is involved in the teaching of medical students, and basic physician trainees in endocrinology and internal medicine.
He was awarded a Centenary Medal for services to diabetes on the Mornington Peninsula.
Manager
Vanessa ViolaVanessa Viola has been a practising Registered Nurse for over 30 years and is a Credentialled Diabetes Educators with 20 years experience in public health. Vanessa has an extensive background in cardiovascular and endocrine disease and has a Masters of Health Science focussing on Health Promotion and Health Education. Vanessa has been working at ECRU since 2001 in the area of clinical trials research.
She enjoys assisting people to achieve their very best health outcomes and being involved in improving treatment options for disease.
Study Coordinators
Kerrie Peacock
Kerrie Peacock is a Credentialed Diabetes Educator and registered nurse having worked in research and private practice since 2006. Kerrie has been involved in many clinical trials with a focus on diabetes and weight loss.
Research has become her passion, the road to better treatments and outcomes for our existing and future generations.
Gabrielle Garner
Gabby Garner is a registered nurse and in 2019 she also completed a Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education. She has worked in clinical trials since 2009. Her main interests include endocrinology, particularly diabetes. She enjoys being involved in the development of new and exciting diabetes treatments and technology.
Carolyn Harris
Carolyn is a Registered Nurse Division 2, who has worked within the ECRU Endocrinology department since 2004. She has worked on numerous trials whose therapeutic areas include sleep apnoea, osteoporosis and diabetes. She specialises in long term outcome trials which look at the effects of new medications on cardiovascular complications. She has a keen interest in promoting clinical trial participation and awareness within our community.
Vanessa James
Vanessa James is a Registered Nurse and Diabetes Nurse Educator, who started her career with Eastern Health in 1998. During her time with Eastern Health, Vanessa worked as a clinical nurse specialist and graduate nurse educator on a medical specialty ward. There Vanessa developed an appreciation of the complexities one may face having an endocrinology disorder, thus enhancing her desire to continue her career in education.
Vanessa believes research is the foundation for improved practice and technology, technology that we discover today will ultimately help someone tomorrow.
Start-Up & Ethics
Andriana Chronopoulos
Andriana has completed a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Food Science. During her honors year she developed a keen interest in research trials, while being involved in a study researching the benefits of cocoa used in chocolate on the heart - yes it showed that there were health benefits. Over the last 15 years, she has worked in trials primarily focusing on cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Administration
Leanne AuchterlonieLeanne has worked with ECRU since 2008. She predominantly works behind the scenes in clinical trial administration. Previously she has worked in hospital and banking administration.
In her spare time she enjoys travelling, when COVID permits.
Jenny Bennett
Jenny has been working in the health industry for 15 years, spending the past 10 years at ECRU as part of the Endocrine team in clinical trial administration.
- Home
- About us
- Publications
- Annual Highlights
- Annual Reports
- Aboriginal Workforce Plan 2023-2026
- Cancer Services Plan 2015-20
- Connect with Respect
- Eastern Health 2022
- Eastern Insight
- Gender Equality Action Plan
- Mental Health Royal Commission Submissions
- Quality Accounts
- Reconciliation Action Plan
- Research Reports
- Strategic Plan 2023-2025
- Turning Point Review
- Organisational Structure
- Consumer and Community Engagement
- Eastern Health Foundation
- Volunteers
- Policies and Guidelines
- Access to Patient Records
- Publications
- Services
- COVID-19 Community Pathways
- COVID-19 Screening Clinics
- COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
- A–Z Service Directory
- Aboriginal Health
- Acute Specialist Clinics (Outpatients)
- Patient Revenue Services
- Telehealth
- Emergency Department
- Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault
- Allied Health Services
- Maternity Services
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
- Our Response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System
- Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery
- Lived Experience Workforce - LEW
- Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness (FaPMI)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing
- Child Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
- Adult Mental Health
- Dual Diagnosis
- Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
- NDIS
- Consultation-Liaison (CL) Psychiatry
- Eastern Mental Health Service Coordination Alliance
- Spectrum
- Language Services
- Imaging Services
- Pathology
- Alcohol and Drug Treatment (Turning Point)
- Locations
- Research & Ethics
- Latest News
- Guidance
- Research Programs
- Education and Training
- Research Data Services
- Library Services
- Funding Opportunities
- Research Enquiries
- Health Professionals
- Latest News
- Careers
- Contact us
Get Connected