Conjoint Prof. Anthony ( Tony ) Quail

Qualifications

• PhD (Medical Clinical Pract), University of Newcastle, 1982
• Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, University of Sydney, 1971

Research

Research keywords

• Airway control mechanisms
• Anaesthesiology
• Baroreflexes
• Bronchial circulation
• Cardiovascular control
• Chemoreflexes
• Coronary circulation
• Exercise
• Human Physiology
• Hypoxia
• Integrated Physiology
• Respiratory control

Research expertise

My major research interests are cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology including exercise physiology. In particular, how these complex systems are controlled and integrated in the central nervous system and what factors modulate them. My main interests currently are the control of the coronary and bronchial circulations with special focus on the autonomic control mechanisms. My broad research background involves studying awake animal models (rabbit, dog, sheep, neonatal piglets) with applications to human disease. The following is a brief summary:

• I developed innovative approaches to the application the Impedance Cardiograph for the non-invasive measurement of cardiac output in humans. Published widely on evaluation of its accuracy and limitations.
• I introduced within Human Physiology (University of Newcastle) the use of the pulsed Doppler ultrasound technology for blood flow measurement in multiple small blood vessels. A new technique for manufacturing the minitarised flow transducers was developed and an evaluation of the accuracy of the technique was published in the American Journal of Physiology.
• Developed a unique conscious dog and sheep models for the study of control of the three main coronary vascular beds. This involved the development of a novel technique for blocking the heart using a left-sided approach to the chest. Several publications have resulted from this work.
• Developed a unique awake piglet model with Dr Phillip Buckner (PhD student) for testing cardiovascular control in the neonate during changes in posture. Data has been presented at national scientific meetings and published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
• Instrumental in encouraging medical graduates to pursue careers in academic medicine. Examples include Professor Peter Moore PhD (now Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, University of California, Davis USA) and A/Prof David Cottee PhD (Department of Anaesthesia, Discipline of Surgical Science, Faculty Health, University of Newcastle).
• I have a longstanding and close collaborative research relationship with Professor Peter Moore, studying coronary control mechanisms.
• I collaborate with other members in the Discipline of Human Physiology (E/Professor S White) and other Disciplines within the Faculty Health (A/Prof David Cottee, Surgical Sciences) on research projects.
• I collaborated with Dr Ross MacPherson PhD, Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney. A study on the effects of the anaesthetic agent halothane on myogenicity was published in Anesthesia and Analgesia.
• In 2000-01 I visited UC Davis California, USA and collaborated with Professor Ann Bonham, studying nervous control mechanisms in spontaneously hypertensive rats. This data was published in the American Journal of Physiology.
• Helped initiate and establish the Hunter Heart-Lung Research Guild, an associate research group within the Hunter Medical Research Institute, for the promotion of basic and clinical cardiovascular and pulmonary research in the Hunter region. The Guild consists of collaborative groups of clinicians and basic researchers.
• Supervised BBiomed Science Honours student (Ms Rebecca Roach) 2004. She was awarded 1st Class Honours for her research Thesis and the University Medal, University of Newcastle, NSW.
• Currently Supervising 2 PhD students (DMcleod and MHamut).

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

• Hunter Medical Research Institute
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health (CTNMH)

Group

• Hunter Medical Research Institute - Cardiovascular

Administrative

Administrative expertise

I have multiple teaching, educational, research, clinical and other outside administrative commitments. See workload document for details.

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Anaesthesiology
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Human Physiology
• Integrated Physiology
• Respiratory Physiology

Teaching expertise

I teach Human Physiology to multiple undergraduate courses within the Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle. I provide the main Human Physiology resource for the Bachelor of Medicine Program. I also teach postgraduate physiology to medical officers (Interns, RMO's, registrars), nurses and other health professionals. I remain actively involved in Anaesthetic clinical practice and teach basic science and professional skills to emergency department trainees and anesthetic residents in the Operating Room environment. In the laboratory I teach advanced physiological experimental techniques to undergraduate and honours students in the BBiomedical Science Program, and supervise Doctoral (PhD) students.