Robyn Rodwell

Last updated
Robyn Rodwell
Alma mater Griffith University (PhD, 1992) [1]
OccupationMedical scientist (retired)
Known forworking in the haematology field for fifty years and helping establish the Queensland Cord Blood Bank
Awards Queensland Great (2009) [2]

Robyn Lynette Rodwell is an Australian retired medical scientist. [3]

Contents

Career

Research and practice

Rodwell is best known for her work in the haematology field. [3] [4] [5] Spanning a period of fifty years, her career commenced when she became a cadet medical scientist at the haematology blood bank at Brisbane's Mater Hospital. [3]

After gaining a fellowship in haematology in 1982, Rodwell was appointed as the hospital's chief scientist of haematology. [3]

In 1997, Rodwell was tasked with establishing the Queensland Cord Blood Bank (QCBB) at the Mater Mother's Hospital. [3] Upon its inception, Rodwell was appointed as the QCBB's scientific director, becoming director in 2008. [3]

She is also credited with establishing what became known as the "Sepsis Score" in blood counts which has proved to assist in predicting sepsis infections in newborn babies. [6] This work was the subject of her doctoral thesis in which she explored the role of laboratory investigations, diagnosis, monitoring and therapy of neonatal sepsis. [1]

Teaching

Rodwell has also been an adjunct associate professor at the School of Natural Sciences at Griffith University and at the School of Biomedical Sciences at the Queensland University of Technology. [3]

Recognition and retirement

In 2009, Rodwell was named as a Queensland Great. [2] [7] Rodwell retired in 2019. [3] [6]

Related Research Articles

Hematology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the cause, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood. It involves treating diseases that affect the production of blood and its components, such as blood cells, hemoglobin, blood proteins, bone marrow, platelets, blood vessels, spleen, and the mechanism of coagulation. Such diseases might include hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, blood clots (thrombus), other bleeding disorders, and blood cancers such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma. The laboratory analysis of blood is frequently performed by a medical technologist or medical laboratory scientist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sepsis</span> Life-threatening response to infection

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spherocytosis</span> Abnormal presence of spherical red blood cells in the blood

Spherocytosis is the presence of spherocytes in the blood, i.e. erythrocytes that are sphere-shaped rather than bi-concave disk shaped as normal. Spherocytes are found in all hemolytic anemias to some degree. Hereditary spherocytosis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia are characterized by having only spherocytes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neutropenia</span> Abnormally low concentration of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood

Neutropenia is an abnormally low concentration of neutrophils in the blood. Neutrophils make up the majority of circulating white blood cells and serve as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria, bacterial fragments and immunoglobulin-bound viruses in the blood. People with neutropenia are more susceptible to bacterial infections and, without prompt medical attention, the condition may become life-threatening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrombocytopenia</span> Abnormally low levels of platelets in the blood

In hematology, thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets in the blood. Low levels of platelets in turn may lead to prolonged or excessive bleeding. It is the most common coagulation disorder among intensive care patients and is seen in a fifth of medical patients and a third of surgical patients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotus birth</span> Birth method

Lotus birth is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut after childbirth so that the baby is left attached to the placenta until the cord naturally separates at the umbilicus. This usually occurs within 3–10 days after birth. The practice is performed mainly for spiritual purposes, including for the perceived spiritual connection between the placenta and the newborn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neonatology</span> Medical care of newborns, especially the ill or premature

Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants, especially the ill or premature newborn. It is a hospital-based specialty and is usually practised in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The principal patients of neonatologists are newborn infants who are ill or require special medical care due to prematurity, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, congenital malformations, sepsis, pulmonary hypoplasia, or birth asphyxia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neonatal intensive care unit</span> Intensive care unit specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants

A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), also known as an intensive care nursery (ICN), is an intensive care unit (ICU) specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants. The NICU is divided into several areas, including a critical care area for babies who require close monitoring and intervention, an intermediate care area for infants who are stable but still require specialized care, and a step down unit where babies who are ready to leave the hospital can receive additional care before being discharged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neonatal jaundice</span> Medical condition

Neonatal jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the white part of the eyes and skin in a newborn baby due to high bilirubin levels. Other symptoms may include excess sleepiness or poor feeding. Complications may include seizures, cerebral palsy, or kernicterus.

Omphalitis of newborn is the medical term for inflammation of the umbilical cord stump in the neonatal newborn period, most commonly attributed to a bacterial infection. Typically immediately after an infant is born, the umbilical cord is cut with a small remnant left behind. Normally the stump separates from the skin within 3–45 days after birth. A small amount of pus-like material is commonly seen at the base of the stump and can be controlled by keeping the stump open to air to dry. Certain bacteria can grow and infect the stump during this process and as a result significant redness and swelling may develop, and in some cases the infection can then spread through the umbilical vessels to the rest of the body. While currently an uncommon anatomical location for infection in the newborn in the United States, it has caused significant morbidity and mortality both historically and in areas where health care is less readily available. In general, when this type of infection is suspected or diagnosed, antibiotic treatment is given, and in cases of serious complications surgical management may be appropriate.

The QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute is an Australian medical research institute located in Herston, Brisbane, in the state of Queensland. QIMR was established in 1945 by the Government of Queensland through the enactment of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Act 1945 (Qld). Previously known as the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), the original purpose of the institute was to further the study of tropical diseases in North Queensland. The current director is Professor Fabienne Mackay. The institute is a registered charity. In 2021, the institute was named as one of the Queensland Greats by the Queensland Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mater Group</span>

Mater Group was formed in 2016 by aligning Mater Health, Mater Education, Mater Research and Mater Foundation under a single, unified banner. Mater provides care for some 500,000 patients each year. Mater was established in 1906 by the Sisters of Mercy. In 2002, Mater became an incorporated body, charged with the responsibility to continue the Mission of the Sisters of Mercy to "offer compassionate service to the sick and needy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blueberry muffin baby</span> Purplish skin bumps on a newborn due to overproduction of blood

Blueberry muffin baby, also known as extramedullary hematopoiesis, describes a newborn baby with multiple purpura, associated with several non-cancerous and cancerous conditions in which extra blood is produced in the skin. The bumps range from 1-7 mm, do not blanch and have a tendency to occur on the head, neck and trunk. They often fade by three to six weeks after birth, leaving brownish marks. When due to a cancer, the bumps tend to be fewer, firmer and larger.

Neonatal sepsis is a type of neonatal infection and specifically refers to the presence in a newborn baby of a bacterial blood stream infection (BSI) in the setting of fever. Older textbooks may refer to neonatal sepsis as "sepsis neonatorum". Criteria with regards to hemodynamic compromise or respiratory failure are not useful clinically because these symptoms often do not arise in neonates until death is imminent and unpreventable. Neonatal sepsis is divided into two categories: early-onset sepsis (EOS) and late-onset sepsis (LOS). EOS refers to sepsis presenting in the first 7 days of life, with LOS referring to presentation of sepsis after 7 days. Neonatal sepsis is the single most common cause of neonatal death in hospital as well as community in developing country.

Pyknocytosis is a hematologic state characterized by the presence of pyknocytes in the blood. Pyknocytes are red blood cells that appear distorted, irregular and small with abnormal projections and would typically be identified by a medical scientist and verified by a pathologist on a peripheral blood smear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neonatal infection</span> Human disease

Neonatal infections are infections of the neonate (newborn) acquired during prenatal development or within the first four weeks of life. Neonatal infections may be contracted by mother to child transmission, in the birth canal during childbirth, or after birth. Neonatal infections may present soon after delivery, or take several weeks to show symptoms. Some neonatal infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and malaria do not become apparent until much later. Signs and symptoms of infection may include respiratory distress, temperature instability, irritability, poor feeding, failure to thrive, persistent crying and skin rashes.

Angela Mary Doyle, AO is an Irish-born nun who is a member of the Order of the Sisters of Mercy in Australia and is nationally recognised for her work as a hospital administrator at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Brisbane and for her early advocacy for the support and care of Queenslanders with HIV/AIDS.

David Ian Tudehope is an Australian physician, specialising in neonatology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Dunne (scientist)</span> Australian scientist and Sister of Mercy (1926–2020)

Sister Regis Mary Dunne RSM was an Australian scientist and Sister of Mercy, considered to be a pioneer in the field of genetics and bioethics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Isaac Woolf</span> British biochemist (1919–2021)

Louis Isaac Woolf was a British biochemist who played a crucial role in the early detection and the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU).

References

  1. 1 2 "Emer Prof Denis Crane: teaching activities". Griffith University Experts. Griffith University. Teaching activities... COMPLETED GRIFFITH DOCTORAL SUPERVISION: Laboratory investigations in neonatal sepsis: Implications for diagnosis, monitoring and therapy (Robyn Lynette Rodwell) 1 Jan 1984 - 31 Dec 1992 - principal supervisor
  2. 1 2 "2009 Queensland Greats recipients: Dr Robyn Rodwell". Queensland Greats Awards. Queensland Government. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Mater Pathology farewells Dr Robyn Rodwell". Mater Health News. Mater Group. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  4. Rodwell, Robyn L; Leslie, Anton L; Tudehope, David (May 1988). "Early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis using a hematologic scoring system". The Journal of Pediatrics. 112 (5): 761–767. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(88)80699-1 . Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  5. Rodwell, R L; Tudehope, D I; Gray, P H (1 May 1993). "Hematologic scoring system in early diagnosis of sepsis in neutropenic newborns". The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. doi:10.1097/00006454-199305000-00004 . Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Farwell to Robyn Rodwell". Sisters of Mercy News Centre. Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  7. "Aboriginal songster a Qld great". Warwick Daily News. 12 June 2009. The other 2009 Queensland Greats are philanthropist Philip Bacon AM, Angel Flight founder Bill Bristow AM, respected medical scientist Dr Robyn Rodwell...