Professor | Group Leader
+61 7 3362 0376patricia.valery@qimrberghofer.edu.au
Professor Valery is a Senior Research Fellow and Group Leader of the Cancer and Chronic Disease Research Group at the QIMR Berghofer. In her career she has made significant contributions in key areas: cancer epidemiology, chronic disease (e.g. cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, asthma, bronchiectasis), and Indigenous health research.
Professor Valery finished her PhD in 2002, after completing her medical degree (1987) and paediatric training (1990). She has 20 years of experience in the field of Indigenous health, patterns of care, patient reported outcomes and survival outcomes research. She has successfully conducted several population-based studies in the fields of cancer and respiratory disease in Indigenous Australians, and was the Epidemiologist of the team and led three RCTs for Indigenous Australians. Half of her research career relates to Indigenous Health.
More recently, Professor Valery is leading the research on the epidemiology of chronic liver disease and on unmet needs of people diagnosed with cirrhosis with the development and validation of the only specific health needs assessment tool for cirrhosis.
2020-current: Group Leader, Cancer and Chronic Disease Research Group, QIMR Berghofer
2020-current: Honorary Professor, School of Medicine, Southside Clinical School, University of Queensland
2015-2020: Team Head, Cancer and Chronic Disease Research Group, QIMR Berghofer
2015-2019: NHMRC Career Development Fellow
2013-2019: Honorary Assoc. Professor, School of Medicine, Southside Clinical School, University of Queensland
2011-2015: Australian Research Council Future Fellow
2011-2015: Senior Research Fellow, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University
2009-2011: Senior Research Officer, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
2009-2011: Adjunct Lecturer, University of Queensland
2005-2008: NHMRC Public Health Training Fellow, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
1999-2004: Research Officer (part-time), Queensland Institute of Medical Research
As a medical epidemiologist, Professor Valery uses research to work on improving clinical and patient oriented healthcare. For example, she is conducting research to improve the outcomes of patients with advanced chronic liver disease (cirrhosis and liver cancer). Most people aren’t aware that they have liver disease. By the time liver symptoms develop, liver damage is often advanced, sometimes irreversibly. Her research is finding ways to improve early detection of liver disease and, for patients with the later stages (cirrhosis), and her work will find better ways to treat patients that will ultimately prevent hospital admissions and reduce mortality due to cirrhosis. Professor Valery is working closely with liver specialists, namely Professor Elizabeth Powell (Princess Alexandra Hospital), Dr Paul Clark (Mater Hospital), Dr Tony Rahman (The Prince Charles Hospital), Dr Richard Skoien (Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital), Professor James O’Beirne (Sunshine University Hospital), and Professor Alan Wigg (Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide) to achieve better outcomes for patients with chronic liver disease and liver cancer.
2019-current: The Australian National Liver Cancer Collaborative
2017-current: Member of the European Association for the Study of the Liver
2017-current: Member of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia
2015-current: Member of the Network Centre for Liver Disease Research, School of Medicine, University of Queensland
2014-2015: Cancer Australia, Gynaecological Cancer Advisory Group
2010: Present Chair of the Data Safety Monitoring Board for study entitled “D-Health: A randomised trial of vitamin D for prevention of cancer and mortality”
2009-2012: Queensland Cervical Screening Program – Quality Management Committee
2004-current: Member of the Australian Paediatric Cancer Registry Advisory Committee
2004-2011: Higher Degrees Committee, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
2003-2006: Scientific Subcommittee, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee
2015
2014
2010
2009
2008
2007
2005
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
2002: PhD Epidemiology, University of Queensland
1995: MPH, Master of Public Health, University of Queensland
1990: Title of Paediatrician, Brazilian Paediatric Society (obtained by examination)
1987: MD, Faculdade de Medicina Fundação ABC, Brazil