Dr Natalie Pecheniuk
Faculty of Health,
School of Biomedical Sciences
Biography
I am a Senior Lecturer in School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). In this position, I am significantly involved in teaching foundational biomedical science skills, biochemistry and quantitative skills. I am well versed in teaching extremely large cohorts of multidisciplinary cohorts including Biomedical Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy and Nutrition & Dietetics students.I received my PhD on The Genetic Basis of Thrombophilia. Then completed post-doctoral studies moving into a Staff Scientist position at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, USA focusing on the biochemistry/molecular biology of the Protein C pathway and role of lipids and lipoproteins (HDL) as cofactors in this pathway. Upon return to Australia, I had an academic/lecturing role at James Cook University, Townsville, QLD where I also had a role as academic advisor for biochemistry/molecular biology. In 2010 I was awarded the Kanematsu Memorial Award for work on anticoagulant activity of HDL. I have also supervised numerous Honours and research students, and currently supervising 3 PhD students. My research interests have spanned a variety of areas of thrombosis and haemostasis from the genetic basis of thrombophilia, the cofactor activity of lipid/lipoproteins on the Protein C pathway and currently is focused on coagulopathy associated with transfusion, where I have strong collaborations and hold a Visiting Research Fellowship with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
Research: Blood clots are the leading cause of death in Australia and are associated with stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and coronary heart disease. Approximately 30,000 Australians are hospitalised each year due to DVT and/or PE. Haemostasis is the biological process that occurs in response to vascular trauma to prevent blood loss from the body. The blood coagulation pathway results from a cascade of protease (protein) activations to form thrombin, a key player in the formation of the fibrin blood clot. Blood clotting is also controlled by anticoagulant pathways and clots dissolved by fibrinolysis in order to prevent deleterious thrombosis from occurring. Risk factors for excessive clotting (or thrombosis) include biochemical, genetic and circumstantial events. Therefore, this is a complex process requiring balanced interaction of the endothelium, platelets and proteins involved in procoagulant, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic pathways; if the balance is tipped in favour of coagulation, thrombosis may result.
The research interests of the lab are focused on 1) the mechanisms of the biochemical or genetic risks on blood coagulation pathways 2) translational research investigating thrombotic phenotype or coagulopathy association with other clinical conditions and 3) role of transfusion and blood products with coagulation.
Personal details
Positions
- Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Health,
School of Biomedical Sciences
Keywords
blood coagulation, clotting factors, thrombosis, haemostasis, transfusion, coagulopathy, lipoproteins, biochemistry, thrombophilia
Research field
Cardiovascular Medicine and Haematology, Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics, Clinical Sciences
Field of Research code, Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), 2008
Qualifications
- PhD (Queensland University of Technology)
Professional memberships and associations
- Thrombosis and Haemostasis society of Australia & New Zealand (THANZ):
- Science & Education Trustee (2021 - Current)
- Secretary (2016 - 2021)
- Member (1997 - Current)
- International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH):
- Member (2006 - Current)
- Australian Red Cross Lifeblood:
- Visiting Research Fellow (2016 - Current)
- Co-chair - BLOOD 2018
- Joint meeting of the HSANZ, ANZSBT and THANZ; Brisbane 2018.
Teaching
Undergraduate Teaching: I'm an experienced higher education academic with an extensive education portfolio in teaching and learning and curriculum development in biomedical sciences. I am passionate about biomedical advocacy and to inspire students to the cross-discipline nature of biomedical sciences. I currently contribute to teaching activities or as unit coordinator for the following units.
- LQB184 Introduction to Biomedical Science
- LQB286 Quantitative Skills for Health Professionals
- LQB381 Biochemistry
- LQB655 Clinical and Applied Haematology
Supervision of Research Students: The main focus of my research which aims to improve the risk of thrombosis (blood clots) by understanding the mechanisms of blood coagulation that impact coagulopathy in various diseases, transfusion and/or resuscitation practices.
- PhD
- Sudhir Jadhao
- Alex Jackson
- Ji Hui Hwang
- MASTERS
- Amelie Babinet 2016 (ONRIS, France)
- HONOURS
- Jacqueline Leggett 2019
- Kyle Raubenheimer 2016
- Htet Htet Aung 2014
- Shauna French 2013
- VACATION / VISITING PROJECTS
- Htet Htet Aung 2012
- Diashanti Mardiasmo 2011
- Luke Isbel 2010 - JCU
- Scott Morin 2005 - Scripps Research
Experience
After completing my PhD, I have held academic research only and research/teaching positions in the USA and Australia.
ACADEMIC AND CAREER APPOINTMENTS
- Snr Lecturer | Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health
- Visiting Research Fellow | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Brisbane
- Lecturer | James Cook University, Townsville
- School of Pharmacy and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences
- Staff Scientist | The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Senior Research Associate | The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Post-doctoral Fellow | The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Translational Vascular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine
- PhD | Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
- CRC for Diagnostic Technologies, School of Life Sciences.
Publications
- Jadhao, S., Davison, C., Roulis, E., Schoemann, E., Divate, M., Haring, M., Williams, C., Jaya Shankar, A., Lee, S., Pecheniuk, N., Irving, D., Hyland, C., Flower, R. & Hiriyur Nagaraj, S. (2022). RBCeq: A robust and scalable algorithm for accurate genetic blood typing. EBioMedicine, 76. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/227683
- Aung, H., Tung, J., Dean, M., Flower, R. & Pecheniuk, N. (2017). Procoagulant role of microparticles in routine storage of packed red blood cells: potential risk for prothrombotic post-transfusion complications. Pathology, 49(1), 62–69. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/102306
- Raubenheimer, K., Hickey, D., Leveritt, M., Fassett, R., de Zevallos Munoz, J., Allen, J., Briskey, D., Parker, T., Kerr, G., Peake, J., Pecheniuk, N. & Neubauer, O. (2017). Acute effects of nitrate-rich beetroot juice on blood pressure, hemostasis and vascular inflammation markers in healthy older adults: A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study. Nutrients, 9(11), 1–19. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/114429
- Passmore, M., Fung, Y., Simonova, G., Foley, S., Diab, S., Dunster, K., Spanevello, M., McDonald, C., Tung, J., Pecheniuk, N., Hay, K., Shekar, K. & Fraser, J. (2017). Evidence of altered haemostasis in an ovine model of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Critical Care, 21. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/109892
- Letson, H., Pecheniuk, N., Mhango, L. & Dobson, G. (2012). Reversal of acute coagulopathy during hypotensive resuscitation using small-volume 7.5% NaCl adenocaine and Mg2+ in the rat model of severe hemorrhagic shock. Critical Care Medicine, 40(8), 2417–2422. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/53507
- Pecheniuk, N., Elias, D., Deguchi, H., Averell, P. & Griffin, J. (2008). Elevated plasma fibronectin levels associated with venous thromboembolism. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 100(2), 224–228. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/43496
- Eichinger, S., Pecheniuk, N., Hron, G., Deguchi, H., Schemper, M., Kyrle, P. & Griffin, J. (2007). High-density lipoprotein and the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism. Circulation, 115(12), 1609–1614. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/43498
- Pecheniuk, N., Deguchi, H., Elias, D., Xu, X. & Griffin, J. (2006). Letter to the editor: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein genotypes associated with venous thrombosis and dyslipoproteinemia in males. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 4(9), 2080–2082. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/43490
- Pecheniuk, N., Deguchi, H. & Griffin, J. (2005). Cholesterol enhances phospholipid-dependent activated protein C anticoagulant activity. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 3(2), 340–345. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/43501
- Deguchi, H., Pecheniuk, N., Elias, D., Averell, P. & Griffin, J. (2005). High-density lipoprotein deficiency and dyslipoproteinemia associated with venous thrombosis in men. Circulation, 112(6), 893–899. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/43500
QUT ePrints
For more publications by Natalie, explore their research in QUT ePrints (our digital repository).
Awards
- Type
- Committee Role/Editor or Chair of an Academic Conference
- Reference year
- 2021
- Details
- THANZ Science and Education Trustee
- Type
- Appointment to State/National/International Reference Group or Government Committees
- Reference year
- 2015
- Details
- SECRETARY THANZ council
- Type
- Visiting Professorships/Fellowships
- Reference year
- 2016
- Details
- Visiting Research Fellow, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
- Type
- Committee Role/Editor or Chair of an Academic Conference
- Reference year
- 2018
- Details
- Co-chair BLOOD2018; Joint meeting of HSANZ, ANZSBT & THANZ
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2022
- Details
- The Kanematsu Memorial Award (The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia)
- Type
- Keynote Speaker/Expert Panel Member/Invited Speaker for a Conference
- Reference year
- 2016
- Details
- Invited Symposium Speaker AIMS AACB 2016
- Type
- Keynote Speaker/Expert Panel Member/Invited Speaker for a Conference
- Reference year
- 2009
- Details
- Invited Local Speaker - HAA2009
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2016
- Details
- Vice-Chancellor's Performance Award (Faculty of Health)
Supervision
Current supervisions
- Characterisation of Extracellular Vesicles from Cryoprecipitate and Fresh Frozen Plasma
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Damien Harkin, Adjunct Professor Robert Flower - Design of a potent, dual domain antifibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory protease inhibitor
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Jonathan Harris