Meet the Team

Professor Tony Badrick

Chief Executive Officer

Qualifications:
BAppSc, BSc, BA, MLitSt (Math), MBA, PhD(QUT), PhD(UQ), FAIMS, FAACB, FACB, FAIM, Member Aust Maths Soc, FRCPA (Hon), FFSc(RCPA)

Tony was Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University for 4 years before becoming the CEO of the RCPAQAP in 2015. He is an Adjunct Professor School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Honorary Associate Professor, National Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health Australian National University College of Health and Medicine, Honorary Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, and Visiting Fellow, Australian Institute for Health Innovation, Macquarie University.

He was also President of the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (2003-2007), Chair of the Faculty of Science RCPA (2012-2018) and is Chair of the Education and Laboratory Management Committee of the Asian Pacific Federation of Clinical Biochemistry, and currently the Chief Examiner of the Faculty of Science of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia.

Tony has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles mainly on the themes of Quality Control, Quality Management and Clinical Biochemistry.

Derek Holzhauser

Chief Information Officer

Derek Holzhauser is the Chief Information Officer at RCPAQAP. He brings 20 years worth of experience in pathology informatics. Derek has held previous pathology informatics roles at St Vincent’s Hospital, Cerner Corporation, and most recently as a Computer Manager for Sydney and South Western Sydney Local Health Districts.

He has a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and a Master of Applied Science in Biopharmaceuticals. In his role at the RCPAQAP, Derek is responsible for developing transformative information technology solutions and services.

Derek is leading the project responsible for developing RCPAQAP new software system which will transform the delivery of our EQA programs.

Zoe Vayanos

Manager - Operations

In her current position as Manager – Operations, Zoe Vayanos is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the operational activity of all RCPAQAP business units to ensure business objectives and targets are being met. Zoe brings a wealth of experience to this role with an extensive background in pathology, quality and business.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney in 2006. She took up scientific positions in the South East Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service, primarily in Immunology and autoimmune diagnostics.

From 2013, Zoe ran a start-up business, which she developed into a franchise. As the Operations Manager, she was responsible for various company activities, including recruiting and onboarding franchisees, training, quality and risk management, legislative compliance and customer service.

In 2020, Zoe returned to her pathology career at the RCPAQAP as a scientific officer, taking on responsibilities as a Quality Coordinator and later as a Senior Scientist in Immunology. Zoe is passionate about leading our staff to ensure organisational strategy, culture and values are embedded within the team and to ensure the development of quality outcomes. She is committed to implementing improvement processes and policies that support business excellence to meet company goals.

Jennifer Ross

Quality Manager

Qualifications:
B App Sc CT(ASC) CT(IAC)

Jennifer Ross (CMLS) trained in a number of pathology disciplines including microbiology, haematology and histology at the Queensland State Health Laboratories before commencing at the Royal Brisbane and Womens’ Hospital where she began her career in diagnostic cytopathology and achieved both the national and international certification qualification in cytology. Jenny became Cytology Manager at QML Pathology in the mid 90’s and took a strong interest in quality assurance, staff training and continuing education activities. In 2010 Jenny became the Manager for the RCPAQAP Cytopathology Program and oversaw its relocation from Brisbane to Sydney in 2013. This role heightened Jenny’s interest in quality management systems and in 2015 was appointed Quality Manager. She now oversees all aspects of the quality, WHS and environmental management systems at the QAP, including accreditation requirements, and leads a number of activities that drive a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.

Peter Graham

Manager - Blood Disciplines

Peter is the Manager of the Blood Disciplines at the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs (RCPAQAP).  Blood Disciplines encompasses Chemical Pathology, Haematology, Transfusion, Serology and Immunology. He has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Applied Science – Clinical Biochemistry.

Peter is a member of the Australasian Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine Executive and continues to assist in a broad range of NATA accreditation inspections. He has worked in laboratory and management roles in clinical pathology related areas for over 30 years.

Both his clinical and accreditation experience has led to an ongoing interest in improving patient outcomes through quality assurance.

John Sioufi

Manager - User Experience

John Sioufi is a long-standing member of the RCPAQAP staff having worked previously at Westmead Hospital and Macquarie Pathology Laboratories and is highly experienced in all facets of haematology. John commenced his employment with the RCPAQAP Haematology in 1990, obtaining his role as manager from 1998 to 2017.

John has taken on the role of Manager, User Experience, where he ensures alignment of the internal and external user experience of RCPAQAP platforms with key customer and business needs. John plays an integral part in the development of myQAP, the new RCPAQAP software platform, where he is responsible for controlling program requirements, enforcing setup standards and supporting software configuration.

Julia Pagliuso

Manager - Tissue Disciplines

Julia has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, the Certificate of the Australian Society of Cytology, the Certificate of the International Academy of Cytology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). Prior to her role at the RCPQAP, experience includes various appointment at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital including Laboratory Manager of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Senior Scientist in Charge of Cytology and Special Projects Officer in Laboratory Information Services.

Julia has had an active interest in quality and continuing education throughout her career and now manages the Anatomical Pathology and Cytopathology disciplines at the RCPAQAP. She has held committee positions within the Australian Society of Cytology and is currently a member of the Biomedical Course Advisory Committee (UTS).

Anthony Green

Manager - IT Systems

Anthony has extensive cross functional training and experience in areas ranging from Information Technology (Web Development and Network Management) to Electronic Engineering and Office Administration.

Joining the RCPAQAP in 2009, Anthony supported the growing IT Infrastructure and playing a significant role in the consolidation of multiple remote offices into the single purpose-built facility in St Leonards.

As well as being focused on Health and Wellbeing, Anthony is also passionate about the environment and is a member of the RCPAQAP ‘Green Team’, working to reduce their Carbon Footprint.

Stephanie Gay

Scientist - Informatics

Stephanie has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Australian National University and has 30 years experience in Private Pathology before joining RCPAQAP in 2013.

Stephanie was appointed the  Manager of  Chemical Pathology for Hampson’s Pathology in Newcastle in 1995, and moved to the position of Area Manager for New England in 2006 and subsequently moved to take up the position of Area Manager for Riverina in 2011.  The role of Area Manager involved responsibility for both pre- and post-analytical aspects of Pathology, which lead to an ongoing interest in the quality aspects of these areas.

Stephanie is a NATA assessor and has performed assessments in both Chemical Pathology and pre-analytical areas.

Dr Torsten Theis

Head of Biosecurity, Microbiology and Molecular Infectious Diseases

Qualifications:

BSc, MSc (Biotechnology), PhD (Molecular Microbiology)

Torsten is the Head of Biosecurity, Microbiology and Molecular Infectious Diseases at the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs (RCPAQAP).

He received his PhD in Molecular Microbiology from the Berlin University of Technology (Germany). Following post-doctorate positions at University Colleges London (UK), University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney, he joined RCPAQAP in 2010.

In collaboration with the Public Health Laboratory Strengthening Department at the WHO Health Emergency Programme, Torsten is the RCPAQAP project lead for the development of PTPs for the detection of arboviruses, coronaviruses, and agents responsible for viral haemorrhagic fevers.

Michelle Keays

Manager - Marketing and Communications

Sze Chai

Senior Scientist - Molecular Genetics

Wayne Randle

Head of Infrastructure

Wayne is the Head of Infrastructure at the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs (RCPAQAP)

Wayne has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of Logistics and Supply Chain.

Before joining RCPAQAP, Wayne was the Operations Manager for two high volume direct to consumer and 3PL operations across the Medical, Healthcare, and Fashion Industries, along with International Agencies and Customer Service teams throughout the APAC region.

With a critical focus on operational efficiencies, productivity improvements, and the environment, Wayne has always implemented and lead change across areas of manufacturing automation, packaging design, logistics efficiencies, and customer service.

Wayne’s support team includes Logistics and Distribution, Customer Service, Operations, Procurement, Facilities, and Laboratory Services.

Megan Cooke

Manager - Alliance and Partnerships

Rizzi De Leon

Solutions Specialist - Informatics

Peter Santosa

Scientist – Molecular Infectious Diseases

Scarlet Man

Coordinator - Customer Service and Operations

Elysse Dean

Sample Procurement - NSW Health Pathology

Mathi Saba

Company Accountant

Zenobia Haffajee

Senior Scientist - Anatomical Pathology

Ray Oreo

Solutions Architect - Informatics

Allison Terrell

Manager - Laboratory, Facilities and Procurement

Junho Kim

Scientist - Transfusion

Katherine Ryan

Senior Scientist - Microbiology

Loriza Khan

Senior Scientist - Haematology and Transfusion

Yi Li

Senior Software Developer - Informatics

Vicki McGill

Manager - Synovial Fluid

Fernando Estepa

Senior Scientist - Haematology

Janelle Greaves

Senior Scientist - Cytopathology

Deane Byers

Senior Scientist - Molecular Infectious Diseases

Neera Maharjan

Assistant Company Accountant

Nalishia Munusamy

Scientist - Molecular Genetics

Catherine Kehoe

Coordinator - Laboratory

Wei Jiang

Senior Software Developer - Informatics

Samantha Shepherd

Senior Scientist - Chemical Pathology

Allan Elsner

Solutions Specialist - Informatics

Neeta Lal

Scientist - Anatomical Pathology

Dr Kwang Hong Tay

Application Specialist - Informatics

Gail Earl

Scientist - Haematology

Dr Katherine Lau

Senior Scientist - Biosecurity

Abrar Taif

Scientist - Chemical Pathology

Vraj Evans

Scientist - Immunology

Katrina Hong

Scientist - Immunology

Tracey Dibbens

Coordinator - Customer Service and Operations

Rory Gough

Scientist - Biosecurity, Microbiology and Molecular Infectious Diseases

Rhys Judd

Manager - Customer Service

He received his Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Sydney.

Before joining the RCPAQAP in 2020, Rhys was the Restaurant Manager for a high-end venue, where he developed skills to build customer rapport and trained his team to deliver outstanding service.

He now brings those skills to the RCPAQAP, where he and his team manage customer enrolments, queries, and concerns about their RCPAQAP programs. They focus on providing our customers with timely, professional, and quality service whilst improving processes or suggesting improvements within the business in response to customer feedback.

Ashley Prasad

Senior Scientist - Serology

Jason Flint

Coordinator - Logistics

Michael Dumpleton

Senior Software Developer

Rogers Wei

Scientist - Haematology & Transfusion

Anushka Jayanetti

Scientist - Chemical Pathology

Natasha Robbins

Scientist - Chemical Pathology

Jonathan Bush

Senior Scientist - Chemical Pathology

Liam Shand Egan

Coordinator - Customer Service and Operations

Recently, Liam worked as the Distribution & Logistics Coordinator for Silver Trak Digital, serving as the primary contact for a number of major and independent film production companies and supporting local cinemas across the APAC region. He also assisted as a QC Technician for film and broadcast titles awaiting distribution.

Mahzuza Salwa

Scientist - Haematology

Laura Kovac

Coordinator - Customer Service and Operations

Diana Tran

Scientist - Chemical Pathology

Shiella Cerna

Scientist - Haematology

Dr Menuk Jayawardena

Senior Scientist - Microbiology

BSc (Hons), PhD (Microbiology)

Menuk is one of the Senior Scientists in the Microbiology team at the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs (RCPAQAP). In 2009, he received his PhD in Clinical Microbiology from the University of NSW. His PhD and Post Doctoral studies involved understanding and combating bacterial biofouling mechanisms in clinical applications. Menuk joined the Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (CIDMLS) at Westmead Hospital in 2011 and was a valuable member of the Reference laboratories of NSW. Over the next eleven years, he gained significant experience in PC4, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Molecular Biology, Parasitology and Genomics. From 2018 – 2022, he was the scientist in charge of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) laboratory at CIDMLS. He was responsible for developing second-line antibiotic testing panels and investigating antibiotic-resistant mechanisms by phenotypic and genotypic (WGS) methodologies.

He is a member of the Australia Society for Antimicrobials (ASA), the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) and the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM).  

Alexander Dudley

Project Officer - Informatics

Felicity Rodriguez

Scientist - Serology

Melanie Otormin

Scientist - Microbiology

Sandya Arunachalam

Senior Scientist - Haematology

Elinor Cobbin

Scientist - Haematology

Dr Alexa Kaufer

Scientist - Biosecurity