Dr Sharyn Fitzgerald - Researcher Profile

Biography

Dr Fitzgerald obtained her PhD from the Department of Physiology, Monash University in 1998. She then undertook a highly productive postdoctoral position at the prestigious Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Centre, where Drs Guyton and Hall wrote the ‘Textbook of Medical Physiology'. In 2001 she moved to Sweden to undertake a second postdoctoral position in the Department of Physiology, Gothenburg University. She returned to the Department of Physiology, Monash University in 2003 to establish her own research program investigating the role of nitric oxide in blood pressure regulation in a diabetic mouse model.

In a change of research field in 2007 Dr Fitzgerald moved to the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute to undertake studies in population health, specifically in secondary stroke prevention. To complement her change of research direction she also completed a Masters in Public Health. In 2010 she rejoined Monash University with a change of departments to become a member of the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. In her role as Regional Manager Dr Fitzgerald coordinates the development and implementation of regional clinical trial sites across Victoria. These sites will be initially utilised to support the large-scale community based study - ASPREE. The ASPREE clinical trial (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) is the largest primary prevention trial to be undertaken in Australia. Dr Fitzgerald is responsible for managing, the six Victorian, one Canberra and three Tasmanian regional ASPREE sites.

Dr Fitzgerald's specific areas of interest include: healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, careers in science. Dr Fitzgerald is a firm believer in healthy living for a long and active life.  ‘I have a strong family history of diabetes and I know how important it is for me to stay healthy and active to prevent the onset of this debilitating disease'.  To date she has completed 9 marathons (including North and South Pole Marathons), 8 long distance cycling events (120-210km), walked the Kokoda Track and climbed Mt Kota Kinabalu.

Qualifications

MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Institution: Monash University

Year awarded: 2010

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Institution: Monash University

Year awarded: 1998

Publications

Journal Articles

Thrift, A.G., Srikanth, V., Nelson, M.R., Kim, J., Fitzgerald, S.M., Gerraty, R.P., Bladin, C., Phan, T.G., Cadilhac, D., 2012, Risk factor management in survivors of stroke: a double-blind, cluster randomised-controlled trial, International Journal of Stroke [E], vol e, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 1-2.

Thrift, A., Evans, R., Kalyanram, K., Kartik, K., Fitzgerald, S., Srikanth, V., 2011, Gender-specific effects of caste and salt on hypertension in poverty: A population-based study, Journal of Hypertension [P], vol 29, issue 3, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Ltd, United States, pp. 443-450.

Thrift, A.G., Srikanth, V., Fitzgerald, S.M., Kalyanram, K., Kartik, K., Hoppe, C.C., Walker, K.Z., Evans, R.G., 2010, Potential roles of high salt intake and maternal malnutrition in the development of hypertension in disadvantaged populations, Clinical And Experimental Pharmacology And Physio..., vol 37, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 78-90.

Shweta, A., Cullen-McEwen, L.A., Kett, M.M., Evans, R.G., Denton, K.M., Fitzgerald, S.M., Anderson, W.P., Bertram, J.F., 2009, Glomerular surface area is normalized in mice born with a nephron deficit: no role for AT1 receptors, American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology [P], vol 296, issue 3, American Physiological Society, USA, pp. F583-F589.

Hoppe, C.C., Moritz, K.M., Fitzgerald, S.M., Bertram, J.F., Evans, R.G., 2009, Transient hypertension and sustained tachycardia in mice housed individually in metabolism cages, Physiological Research, vol 58, Acad Sciences Czech Republic, Czech Republic, pp. 69-75.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Srikanth, V., Evans, R.G., Thrift, A.G., 2008, Benefits and challenges in stroke research in developing countries, Brain Impairment, vol 9, issue 2, Australian Academic Press Pty. Ltd., Australia, pp. 198-204.

Abdelkader (Shweta), A., Cullen-McEwen, L.A., Kett, M.M., Evans, R.G., Denton, K.M., Fitzgerald, S.M., Anderson, W.P., Bertram, J.F., 2008, Glomerular surface area is normalized in mice born with a nephron deficit: No role for AT(1) receptors, American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology, vol E, American Physiological Society, USA, pp. F583-F589.

Hoppe, C.C., Evans, R.G., Moritz, K.M., Cullen-McEwen, L.A., Fitzgerald, S.M., Dowling, J.P., Bertram, J.F., 2007, Combined prenatal and postnatal protein restriction influences adult kidney structure, function, and arterial pressure, American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, vol 292, issue 1, American Physiological Society, Bethesda USA, pp. 462-469.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Bashari, H., Cox, J., Parkington, H.C., Evans, R.G., 2007, Contributions of endothelium-derived relaxing factors to control of hindlimb blood flow in the mouse in vivo, American Jounal of Physiology - Heart & Circulatory Physiology, vol 293, issue 2, Americal Physiological Society, Bethesda MD USA, pp. H1072-H1082.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Kemp, B.K., Parkington, H.C., Head, G.A., Evans, R.G., 2007, Endothelial dysfunction and arterial pressure regulation during early diabetes in mice: roles for nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, vol 293, issue 2, American Physiological Society, Bethesda MD USA, pp. R707-R713.

Nystrom, H., Lindblom, P., Wickman, A., Andersson, I., Norlin, J., Faldt, J., Lindahl, P., Skott, O., Bjarnegard, M., Fitzgerald, S.M., Caidahl, K., Gan, L., Betsholtz, C., Bergstrom, G., 2006, Platelet-derived growth factor B retention is essential for development of normal structure and function of conduit vessels and capillaries, Cardiovascular Research, vol 71, Elsevier Science BV, Netherland, pp. 557-565.

Evans, R.G., Kett, M.M., Shweta, A., Fitzgerald, S.M., Denton, K.M., Eppel, G.A., Edgley, A.J., Anderson, W.P., 2005, New physiological targets within the kidney for antihypertensive therapy, Drug Design Reviews, vol 2, Bentham Science Publishers Ltd, The Netherlands, pp. 167-178.

Evans, R.G., Fitzgerald, S.M., 2005, Nitric oxide and superoxide in the renal medulla: a delicate balancing act, Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension, vol 14, issue 1, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, USA, pp. 9-15.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Kemp-Harper, B.K., Tare, M., Parkington, H.C., 2005, Role of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in endothelial dysfunction during diabetes, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, vol 32, issue 5-6, Blackwell Publishing Asia, Carlton Vic Australia, pp. 482-487.

Blomqvist, S.R., Vidarsson, H., Fitzgerald, S.M., Johansson, B., Ollerstam, A., Brown, R., Persson, A.E.G., Bergstrom, G., Enerback, S., 2004, Distal renal tubular acidosis in mice that lack the forkhead transcription factor Foxi1, The Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol 113, issue 11, American Society for Clinical Investigation Inc., Ann Arbor USA, pp. 1560-1570.

Faldt, J., Wernstedt, I., Fitzgerald, S.M., Wallenius, K., Bergstrom, G., Jansson, J., 2004, Reduced exercise endurance in interleukin-6-deficient mice, Endocrinology, vol 145, issue 6, The Endocrine Society, Chevy Chase USA, pp. 2680-2686.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Brands, M.W., 2002, Hypertension in L-NAME-treated diabetic rats depends on an intact sympathetic nervous system, American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, vol 282, American Physiological Society, Bethesda USA, pp. 1070-1076.

Tivesten, A., Bollano, E., Andersson, I., Fitzgerald, S.M., Caidahl, K., Sjogren, K., Skott, O., Liu, J., Mobini, R., Isaksson, O.G.P., Jansson, J., Ohlsson, C., Bergstrom, G., Isgaard, J., 2002, Liver-derived insulin-like growth factor-I is involved in the regulation of blood pressure in mice, Endocrinology, vol 143, issue 11, Endocrine Society, Chevy Chase USA, pp. 4235-4242.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Henegar, J.R., Brands, M.W., Henegar, L.K., Hall, J.E., 2001, Cardiovascular and renal responses to a high-fat diet in Osborne-Mendel rats, American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, vol 281, Amercan Physiological Society, Bethesda USA, pp. 547-552.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Brands, M.W., 2000, Nitric oxide may be required to prevent hypertension at the onset of diabetes, Americal Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol 279, American Physiological Society, Bethesda USA, pp. 762-768.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Evans, R.G., Bergstrom, G., Anderson, W.P., 1999, Renal hemodynamic responses to intrarenal infusion of ligands for the putative angiotensin IV receptor in anaesthetized rats, Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, vol 34, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia USA, pp. 206-211.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Stevenson, K.M., Evans, R.G., Anderson, W.P., 1998, Effects of long-term intrarenal angiotensin II infusion on renal vascular responsiveness to vasoactive agents, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, vol 25, issue 7--8, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford England, pp. 633-636.

Evans, R.G., Stevenson, K.M., Anderson, W.P., Malpas, S.C., Tomoda, F., Fitzgerald, S.M., Shweta, A., 1997, Chronic renal blood flow measurement in dogs by transit time ultrasound flowmetry, Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, vol 38, Elsevier Science Inc, New York NY USA, pp. 33-39.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Stevenson, K.M., Evans, R.G., Anderson, W.P., 1997, Systemic haemodynamic responses to chronic, low dose angiotensin II infusion into the renal artery of dogs, American Journal of Physiology, vol 273, American Physiological Society, USA, pp. R1980-R1989.

Conference Proceedings

Anderson, W.P., Kett, M.M., Steveson, K.M., Edgley, A.J., Denton, K.M., Fitzgerald, S.M., 2000, Renovascular Hypertension: Structural changes in the renal vasculature, Hypertension, Lorne, Victoria: 22-24 March 2000, American Heart Foundation, www.hypertensionaha.org, pp. 648-652.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Evans, R.G., Bergstrom, G., Anderson, W.P., 1998, Renal hemodynamic responses to intrarenal infusion of ligands for the putative angiotensin IV receptor, FASEB Journal, San Fransisco California USA 18-22 April 1998, Federation of Amer Soc for Experimenal Biology, Bethesda MD USA, p. 5764.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Steveson, K.M., Evans, R.G., Anderson, W.P., 1997, Effects of long-term intrarenal angiotensin II infusion on renal vascular responsiveness to vasoactive agents in conscious dogs, Proceedings of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia, Fremantle,11-3 December 1997, High Blood Pressure Council of Australia, Australia, p. 53.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Steveson, K.M., Evans, R.G., Anderson, W.P., 1997, Hypertension from low dose antiotensin II infusion into the renal artery of conscious dogs, Nephology, Sydney Australia,25-29 May 1997, Blackwell Science Pty Ltd, Carlton Vic Australia, p. S282.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Evans, R.G., Bergstrom, G., Anderson, W.P., 1997, Renal haemodynamic responses to intrarenal infusion of ligands for the putative angiotensin IV receptor in anaesthetised rats, Proceedings of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia, Fremantle,11-13 December 1997, High Blood Pressure Council of Australia, Australia, p. 54.

Fitzgerald, S.M., Steveson, K.M., Evans, R.G., Anderson, W.P., 1997, Systemic haemodynamic effects of chronic intrarenal infusion of angiotensin II: role of the autonomic nervous system, FASEB Journal, New Orleans USA,6-9 April 1997, FASEB, Bethesda USA, p. A217.