About Us
77% of Australians with oesophageal cancer don't survive past 5 years
Barretts Oesophagus occurs when damage to the lower portion of the oesphagus occurs. It is a known precursor to oesophageal cancer
What is WABOR?
WABOR is a clinical database of patients diagnosed with Barretts Oesophagus in Western Australia developed by a team of clinicians and researchers with input from community and consumers. We aim to collect, analyse and report on information like incidence and prevalence of Barretts oesophagus in Western Australia, understand the current burden of Barrett’s Oesophagus in Western Australia, explore the gaps in our understanding of the condition and develop efficient pathways for diagnosis, monitoring, research and early intervention.
Our Vision
To create a comprehensive clinical database of patients with Barretts oesophagus in Western Australia that will facilitate high quality health care aided by best practice and research
Steering Group
Prof. Krish Ragunath
Prof. Priyanthi Kumarasinghe
Prof. Krish Ragunath
Krish Ragunath started his clinical academic career in 2003 at Nottingham University Hospital, UK. After having established a centre of excellence in Endoscopy at Nottingham he moved to Australia in 2019 under the Global Talent initiative. He is currently Professor of Medicine at Curtin University Medical School, and Consultant Gastroente
Krish Ragunath started his clinical academic career in 2003 at Nottingham University Hospital, UK. After having established a centre of excellence in Endoscopy at Nottingham he moved to Australia in 2019 under the Global Talent initiative. He is currently Professor of Medicine at Curtin University Medical School, and Consultant Gastroenterologist at Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia. His clinical and research interests include advanced endoscopic imaging of the GI Tract, Endoscopic Ultrasound, Barrett’s oesophagus and minimally invasive endoscopic therapy of early GI neoplasia. He has co-edited the BSG Barrett's oesophagus guidelines, Quality
standards in upper GI endoscopy, Guidelines for the management of gastric premalignant conditions and UK oesophageal dilatation guidelines. Has authored/co-authored 150 peer reviewed publications and text book chapters. He is Endoscopy Faculty member of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia, Associate Editor for ‘Digestive Endoscopy’ journal, International member of the Editorial Board for 'Endoscopy', 'Gastrointestinal Endoscopy', and Translational Gastroenterology & Hepatology journals. He was the recipient of the British Society of Gastroenterology, Hopkins Endoscopy Prize 2010.
Dr Spiro Raftopoulos
Prof. Priyanthi Kumarasinghe
Prof. Krish Ragunath
Dr Spiro Raftopoulos is a Consultant Gastroenterologist with special interest in interventional endoscopy at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) in the North Metropolitan Health Service in Perth. SCGH is a tertiary centre for Gastroenterology and Hepatology including the Liver Transplant unit of Western Australia.
Dr Spiro Raftopoulos is a Consultant Gastroenterologist with special interest in interventional endoscopy at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) in the North Metropolitan Health Service in Perth. SCGH is a tertiary centre for Gastroenterology and Hepatology including the Liver Transplant unit of Western Australia.
Dr Raftopoulos completed his gastroenterology training in Perth. He subsequently undertook fellowship training at the St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto Canada in interventional endoscopy. His specific interests lie in the provision of minimally invasive endoscopic alternatives to surgery for a variety of conditions including Barrett’s Oesophagus with expertise in latest endoscopic techniques including endoscopic mucosal resection and radiofrequency ablation. He also performs other advanced endoscopic procedures for the management of complex colonic polyps, endoscopic management of Achalasia including POEM (per oral endoscopic myotomy) procedure, endoscopic management of Pharyngeal Pouches (Zenker’s Diverticulum). He is actively involved in multicenter clinical trials including being a member of the Australian and New Zealand Endoscopy Leaders Forum (ANZELF). Dr Raftopoulos is a co-author of the Australian Barrett’s oesophagus guidelines and has published over 50 original peer reviewed manuscripts. He is currently on a number of national advisory committees including the Cancer Council of Australia and the Royal Australasian College of Pathologists.
Dr Michael Ma
Prof. Priyanthi Kumarasinghe
Prof. Priyanthi Kumarasinghe
Michael Ma graduated from University of Western Australia with Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery with Honours and is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in Gastroenterology. Following completion of Gastroenterology training in Perth, Dr Ma completed two advanced endoscopy fellowships, at Royal Perth Hospital an
Michael Ma graduated from University of Western Australia with Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery with Honours and is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in Gastroenterology. Following completion of Gastroenterology training in Perth, Dr Ma completed two advanced endoscopy fellowships, at Royal Perth Hospital and Westmead Hospital, Sydney. Dr Ma is currently adjunct Clinical Senior Lecturer of Curtin University Medical School, and Consultant Gastroenterologist at St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals, and Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals. His clinical and research interests include endoscopic management of Barrett’s oesophagus, ERCP, EUS, and endoscopic resection of early gastrointestinal neoplastic lesions. In addition, he has authored a number of publications in peer reviewed journals and book chapters on gastroenterology and advanced endoscopy.
Prof. Priyanthi Kumarasinghe
Prof. Priyanthi Kumarasinghe
Prof. Priyanthi Kumarasinghe
Professor Kumarasinghe is a Senior Consultant Pathologist at PathWest (Public Pathology service in Western Australia), a Consulting Pathologist to Clinipath Laboratories and a Clinical Professor at the University of Western Australia Medical School. She is the President Elect of the Australasian Division of the International Academy
Professor Kumarasinghe is a Senior Consultant Pathologist at PathWest (Public Pathology service in Western Australia), a Consulting Pathologist to Clinipath Laboratories and a Clinical Professor at the University of Western Australia Medical School. She is the President Elect of the Australasian Division of the International Academy of Pathology, the current chair of Structured Pathology Reporting of cancer project for the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) and a Past President of the Australasian Gastrointestinal Pathology Society. She continues to contribute to multiple structured cancer protocols for RCPA and International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR).
She specialises in gastrointestinal, pancreaticobiliary and endocrine pathology. She is a national and international authority on gastrointestinal pathology and has presented on numerous occasions at conferences throughout the world. She is a contributing author to the WHO classification of tumours of the digestive system, IAC-IRAC Cytopathology Reporting System for Pancreaticobiliary Cytopathology and the co-editor of text “endoscopic biopsy interpretation: a practical guide” – the first Australian text on gastrointestinal pathology. She has authored nearly 200 publications, several invited reviews and co-authored chapters on GI pathology and pancreatic and thyroid cytology. She is the recipient of the inaugural award by the official journal of Royal College of pathologists of Australasia “Pathology” in 2017 on her contribution to HER2 testing of gastric and gastroesophageal junctional cancers in Australia. In addition, she has won numerous academic awards dating back to her early career by many professional societies and governing bodies.
International Advisors
Prof. Prateek Sharma
Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Prof. Jacques Bergman
Prateek Sharma, MD, FASGE, is Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Kansas School of Medicine and VA Medical Center, Kansas City, USA. He is also Program Fellowship Director, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
He completed his internal medicine residency at the Medic
Prateek Sharma, MD, FASGE, is Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Kansas School of Medicine and VA Medical Center, Kansas City, USA. He is also Program Fellowship Director, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
He completed his internal medicine residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, USA and his Gastroenterology Fellowship at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Dr Sharma’s research has focused on upper gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, including Barrett’s oesophagus, esophageal cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and on the evaluation of novel imaging techniques for upper and lower GI diseases.
He is a world-renowned physician, teacher, and educator. He has over 400 publications including original articles and book chapters and has presented at major national and international meetings. In addition, he has co-edited several pioneering books and has published in high impact journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of
Internal Medicine, Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The American Journal of Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Endoscopy, and Gut. He serves as a reviewer for most of the major medicine and gastroenterology subspecialty
journals.
Prof. Jacques Bergman
Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Prof. Jacques Bergman
Jacques Bergman was born in 1965 and qualified from the University of Utrecht in 1991. He
undertook his PhD-training, dedicated to the endoscopic management of gallstone disease, in Amsterdam. He was trained in Gastroenterology in Den Bosch and Amsterdam and was appointed Consultant Gastroenterologist, at Academic Medical Center in Amsterd
Jacques Bergman was born in 1965 and qualified from the University of Utrecht in 1991. He
undertook his PhD-training, dedicated to the endoscopic management of gallstone disease, in Amsterdam. He was trained in Gastroenterology in Den Bosch and Amsterdam and was appointed Consultant Gastroenterologist, at Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam in 2001 and appointed as Associate Professor in 2005. Since June 2011 he is professor of Gastrointestinal
Endoscopy at the University of Amsterdam.
Dr. Bergman is the head of the AMC esophageal research team, which conducts endoscopic
imaging studies using high resolution endoscopy, optical chromoscopy, and volumetric laser endomicroscopy as well as developing computer assisted detection tools for these applications. In addition, the group has a strong focus on the endoscopic treatment of early neoplasia in the upper digestive tract using endoscopic resection and endoscopic ablation techniques. Dr Bergman also heads a research team involved in the use of duodenal mucosal resurfacing for treatment of metabolic syndrome.
The team currently consists of two physicians/endoscopists, 13 research fellows, 2 research
nurses, a database manager, and 2 physician assistants. The group has extensive experience
with multicenter clinical trials and coordinates international studies in Europe, the Unites States
and China.
Dr. Bergman is a Special Section Editor for "Gastroenterology", member of the International
Editorial board of “Gastrointestinal Endoscopy”, member of the International Editorial board of “Endoscopy”, permanent member of International Working Group on Classification of Oesophagitis, and is the secretary of the Dutch Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Rebecca Fitzgerald OBE MACantab. MD FMedSci EMBO is Professor of Cancer Prevention at the University of Cambridge. She is Director of the newly established Early Detection Institute which is part of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, and also leads the Cambridge member centre for
the CRUK International Alliance in Early Detection (AC
Rebecca Fitzgerald OBE MACantab. MD FMedSci EMBO is Professor of Cancer Prevention at the University of Cambridge. She is Director of the newly established Early Detection Institute which is part of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, and also leads the Cambridge member centre for
the CRUK International Alliance in Early Detection (ACED). Rebecca practices medicine as Hon. Consultant in Gastroenterology and Cancer Medicine at Addenbrooke's Hospital. The focus of her
own research group is to investigate the steps in malignant transformation in the oesophagus and stomach and to use this information to improve clinical early detection strategies. Her work to develop and implement the Cytosponge and related biomarker assays for detection of Barrett's oesophagus and associated dysplasia has been awarded a number of prizes including the Westminster Medal, the BMJ Gastro team of the year, an NHS Innovation prize, the CRUK Jane Wardle Early Detection Prize, the Don Listwin Prize and recently the CRUK Horizons Impact Award.
In 2013, she was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and in 2021 elected a
Member of EMBO. Rebecca is committed to teaching and is a Fellow of Medical Sciences at Trinity College Cambridge.
Dr Rehan Haidry
Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald
Dr. Haidry is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist at Cleveland Clinic London (CCL) and University College Hospital, London (UCLH). He trained at St
Mary's Hospital in London and completed his Specialist Gastroenterology training in North East London.
He was appointed as a consultant in 2011. He is the clinical lea
Dr. Haidry is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist at Cleveland Clinic London (CCL) and University College Hospital, London (UCLH). He trained at St
Mary's Hospital in London and completed his Specialist Gastroenterology training in North East London.
He was appointed as a consultant in 2011. He is the clinical lead of endoscopy at CCL. His main interests are therapeutic and innovative endoscopic procedures in the diagnosis and treatments of pre-malignant and malignant disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract, with a
particular interest in Barrett’s neoplasia, Squamous neoplasia and early oesophageal cancer. He has a clinical research portfolio developing metabolic, bariatric endoscopic and anti-reflux procedures such as Duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR), Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) and Trans-oral incisionless fundoplication (TIF). He has also is actively involved in artificial intelligence platforms for oesophageal cancer detection.
He has an academic position of Associate Professor at UCL where he supervises his team of research fellows to generate research into various innovative and novel endoscopic techniques. He is very well published with over 100 original articles and has co-authored national and international guidelines.
Expert Advisors
Prof. Bradley Kendall
Prof. Christopher Reid
Prof. Christopher Reid
Princess Alexandra Hospital Southside Clinical Unit. Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland
Princess Alexandra Hospital Southside Clinical Unit. Faculty of Medicine, University of Queens
Professor Bradley Kendall is a clinical academic Gastroenterologist and Cancer Epidemiologist. He is currently a Senior Staff Gastroenterologist (
Princess Alexandra Hospital Southside Clinical Unit. Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland
Princess Alexandra Hospital Southside Clinical Unit. Faculty of Medicine, University of Queens
Professor Bradley Kendall is a clinical academic Gastroenterologist and Cancer Epidemiologist. He is currently a Senior Staff Gastroenterologist (Eminent) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice. His clinical training included Fellowships in the United States at the University of Virginia and the University of California – Los Angeles. Mid clinical career he commenced higher degree studies and in 2014 was awarded a PhD in Cancer Epidemiology from The University of Queensland for his work on Barrett’s oesophagus and obesity. He is actively involved in ongoing research into the epidemiology of pre-malignant and malignant gastrointestinal diseases via his clinical appointment and appointment as a Professor in the School of Medicine at The University of Queensland.
Professor Kendall is involved with national and international collaborations, including projects with the US National Cancer Institute supported International Barrett’s and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Consortium and the NHMRC supported multicentre Australian Progression of Barrett’s Esophagus to Cancer Network. Currently, he is a Chief investigator in a Cancer Australia funded multicentre Australian collaborative study of the impact of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program on colorectal cancer outcomes for people with severe mental illness.
Prof. Christopher Reid
Prof. Christopher Reid
Prof. Christopher Reid
John Curtin Distinguished Professor
Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth
Christopher Reid is a cardiovascular epidemiologist and clinical trialist with a specific interest in large scale clinical trials, quality improvement and outcomes research. He holds a NHMRC Principal Research Fellowship and has had continual N
John Curtin Distinguished Professor
Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth
Christopher Reid is a cardiovascular epidemiologist and clinical trialist with a specific interest in large scale clinical trials, quality improvement and outcomes research. He holds a NHMRC Principal Research Fellowship and has had continual NHMRC research funding since 1997. He holds a Professorial Research Fellow positions at both Curtin University and is Associate Director of the Monash Centre for Cardiovascular Research and Education in Therapeutics.
WABOR Academy
Dr Niroshan Muwanwella
Dr Niroshan Muwanwella is a consultant gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH).
He is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and has completed two interventional endoscopy fellowships including a year at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
He has a special interest in Diagnos
Dr Niroshan Muwanwella is a consultant gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH).
He is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and has completed two interventional endoscopy fellowships including a year at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
He has a special interest in Diagnosis and treatment of Barrett’s Oesophagus including EMR, ESD and RFA
He is passionate about Advanced Endoscopic Imaging in the GI tract and Imaging-Histologic diagnosis. He is committed to disseminating knowledge through teaching.
Niroshan leads the WABOR Academy committed to educational resources in the diagnosis and management of Barrett’s oesophagus.
Co-Ordinator and Research Fellow
Dr Madoka Inoue
Dr Madoka Inoue graduated in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in Health Science from Hiroshima University, Japan. Subsequently, moved to Australia and completed master's degree in nursing at Curtin University in 2004. Following this with a keen interest in public health and research, Madoka undertook and completed a PhD in Public Health at
Dr Madoka Inoue graduated in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in Health Science from Hiroshima University, Japan. Subsequently, moved to Australia and completed master's degree in nursing at Curtin University in 2004. Following this with a keen interest in public health and research, Madoka undertook and completed a PhD in Public Health at Curtin University in 2012. Currently, she holds a Research Fellow position at Curtin Medical School with a special interest in epidemiology, quality improvement and outcomes research. Madoka co-ordinates the WA Barrett's registry and working on applying machine learning in analysing the WABOR data. Has authored / co-authored approximately 30 peer reviewed publications and textbook chapters.
Researchers
Dr Jose Caparros-Martin
Dr Jose Caparros-Martin
Dr Jose Caparros-Martin
Microbiome Researcher
I am a molecular geneticist by training and Research Fellow at the Telethon Kids Institute. My primary interest focuses on investigating the mechanisms of multidirectional communication between the microbiota and the host in health and disease, with particular emphasis on bioactive metabolites involved in host-mi
Microbiome Researcher
I am a molecular geneticist by training and Research Fellow at the Telethon Kids Institute. My primary interest focuses on investigating the mechanisms of multidirectional communication between the microbiota and the host in health and disease, with particular emphasis on bioactive metabolites involved in host-microbiota cross talk. I have a wide range of research interests, including the contribution of the microbiota in the initiation and progression of aerodigestive disorders, including premalignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract such as Barrett’s oesophagus. Also, I am interested in investigating whether the microbiota plays any role in the physiology of the oesophagus, and whether this crosstalk influences the progression of chronic respiratory conditions through the gut-lung axis. To accomplish these objectives, I make use of different in vitro and animal models, and human intervention studies, combined with multi-omics and integrative analytical approaches.
A/Prof. Georgia Halkett
Dr Jose Caparros-Martin
Dr Jose Caparros-Martin
Qualitative Researcher
A/Prof Georgia Halkett is a Senior Research Fellow who is currently supported by a Cancer Council of WA Research Fellowship. She is based in the Curtin School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences at Curtin University. In 2021 she became the inaugural Cancer Patient Support Program Lead in the Cancer Domain for Curt
Qualitative Researcher
A/Prof Georgia Halkett is a Senior Research Fellow who is currently supported by a Cancer Council of WA Research Fellowship. She is based in the Curtin School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences at Curtin University. In 2021 she became the inaugural Cancer Patient Support Program Lead in the Cancer Domain for Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI).
A/Prof Halkett is a qualified radiation therapist and a Fellow and Director of the
Australian Society of Medical Imaging of Radiation Therapy. A/Prof Halkett’s program of research focuses on cancer patients’ psychosocial and information needs, communication between health professionals and cancer patients and research in radiation therapy.
A/Prof. Richard Norman
Dr Jose Caparros-Martin
A/Prof. Richard Norman
Health Economics
Associate ProfessorCurtin School of Population HealthFaculty of Health SciencesCurtin University, Perth, Western Australia
Richard is a Health Economist with ongoing interest in the economic evaluation of healthcare related to Barrett’s Oesophagus, and the measurement and valuation of quality of life of people throughout
Health Economics
Associate ProfessorCurtin School of Population HealthFaculty of Health SciencesCurtin University, Perth, Western Australia
Richard is a Health Economist with ongoing interest in the economic evaluation of healthcare related to Barrett’s Oesophagus, and the measurement and valuation of quality of life of people throughout their care pathway. He holds an BA(Hons) in Philosophy and Economics and an MSc in Health Economics, both from the University of York in the UK, and a PhD from the University of Technology Sydney. He is a Chief Investigator on projects currently funded by the NHMRC, the MRFF and the ARC. He is an associate editor of Value in Health, and is a permanent member of the Economics Sub-Committee of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).
Medical Student Lead
Sabiqul Hoque
Sabiqul Hoque is a 4th year medical student. Has been involved in collaborative studies in the past such as Post operative variations in anaemia treatment and transfusions. Was the marketing officer for the Students in Health and Medical Research Conference and treasurer for the Students' Research Initiative in WA
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