Rate Professor Wayne Hawthorne

Professional Summary: Professor Wayne Hawthorne

Professor Wayne Hawthorne is a distinguished academic and clinician at the University of Sydney, Australia, with a remarkable career in surgery, transplantation, and medical research. Renowned for his contributions to islet cell transplantation and xenotransplantation, he has made significant strides in advancing treatments for diabetes and other chronic conditions.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Hawthorne holds advanced medical and academic qualifications that underpin his expertise in surgical and transplant sciences. Specific details of his degrees include:

• MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) - University of Sydney
• MD (Doctor of Medicine) - University of Sydney, reflecting his extensive research contributions
• FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons), demonstrating his surgical expertise

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Hawthorne’s research is focused on innovative solutions for diabetes treatment through transplantation science. His key areas of interest include:

• Islet cell transplantation for Type 1 diabetes
• Xenotransplantation, particularly the use of porcine islets for human therapy
• Immunosuppression strategies to improve transplant outcomes
• Translational research bridging laboratory discoveries to clinical applications

Career History and Appointments

Professor Hawthorne has held numerous prestigious positions throughout his career, reflecting his leadership in both clinical and academic spheres:

• Professor of Surgery, University of Sydney, based at the Westmead Clinical School
• Director, National Pancreas and Islet Transplant Unit, Westmead Hospital, Sydney
• Senior Surgeon and Transplant Specialist, Westmead Hospital
• Head of the Xenotransplantation Research Program at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Hawthorne has been recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to medical science and surgery with several notable accolades, including:

• Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS)
• Multiple research grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia for transplantation research
• Recognition by international transplant societies for contributions to islet transplantation

Key Publications

Professor Hawthorne has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in high-impact journals. A selection of his key publications includes:

• Hawthorne, W.J., et al. (2016). 'Clinical Islet Xenotransplantation: How Close Are We?' - Diabetes
• Hawthorne, W.J., et al. (2014). 'Progress in Clinical Encapsulated Islet Xenotransplantation' - Transplantation
• Hawthorne, W.J., et al. (2011). 'Overcoming Barriers in Clinical Islet Transplantation' - World Journal of Transplantation
• Multiple contributions to edited volumes on transplantation and diabetes research

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Hawthorne’s work has had a profound impact on the field of transplantation, particularly in the development of islet cell therapies for diabetes. His leadership in establishing clinical protocols for xenotransplantation has positioned Australia as a global leader in this emerging field. His research has directly influenced clinical practices, improving patient outcomes and inspiring further studies into alternative organ sources for transplantation.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Hawthorne is actively involved in the academic and medical community, contributing through various roles and engagements:

• Regular speaker at international conferences on transplantation and diabetes, including events hosted by the International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (IPITA)
• Member of key committees within the Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ)
• Editorial board member and reviewer for leading journals in transplantation and surgery
• Mentor and supervisor to numerous postgraduate students and early-career researchers at the University of Sydney