Our Team

Kim Brislane, previously ADRI’s Director of Philanthropy has over 25 years’ experience in the not-for-profit, private, and public sectors in governance, management, and strategic development. Kim joined ADRI in October 2020 and was appointed CEO in April 2022 (she was acting CEO January – April 2022). She was nominated as Company Secretary in April 2022.

Dr Ben Johnson joined ADRI in June 2019. Ben attained his PhD in 2015 from the Western Sydney University. Prior to being employed at ADRI, Dr Johnson was a Research Officer at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research where he gained sound experience in a range of molecular biology/biochemistry-based techniques, human cell culture and data analysis. Since completing his PhD, Dr Johnson has continued to further develop his medical research skills and has presented his findings at national conferences and published several research articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr Huaikai Shi joined ADRI after having been awarded a PhD in December 2020, where he utilises his experts in immunology and animal modelling in the field of cancer research. Dr Shi’s current research focus is to develop a novel approach that combines beneficial immunotherapy with anti-cancer natural products to improve the treatment outcome of the current incurable cancer malignant mesothelioma.

Dr Steven Kao is a Medical Oncologist at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Steven’s research at ADRI focuses on the predictive and prognostic factors in malignant mesothelioma. Steven has a wide clinical, translational, and psycho-social research interest in thoracic cancers including malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.

Virginia James joined ADRI in November 2022 and is responsible for the management of the Biobank. This national tissue bank provides a unique collection and vital resource of ethically approved high-quality biospecimens and accurate, reliable and standardised clinical data to pave the way for asbestos-related diseases research. She brings extensive experience to the team, having previously worked at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) as Biobank Officer and Advanced Specialist in Histology.

Richard Zelei joined ADRI in February 2023, after completing his Master of Biomedical Science in infection and immunity at the University of Sydney. As a research assistant, Richard will collaborate with Dr. Ben Johnson and Dr. Huaikai Shi on a range of projects examining novel drugs and immunotherapies for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.

Jocelyn McLean has many years’ experience caring for patients following surgery for lung cancer and mesothelioma at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Jocelyn established a much-needed mesothelioma support service at ADRI utilising her knowledge and experience of caring for patients and their families, drawing from current survivorship research and carer needs research to provide telephone and face-to-face support and educational group meetings. She works with professional agencies in mesothelioma to provide current evidence-based information to health professionals and local communities across NSW. To continue the Mesothelioma Support Service during COVID-19 services such as Zoom, Teams and teleconferencing were again embraced this year.

Pam Logan is a registered nurse who has additional qualifications in Community Nursing and Health Sciences. She has worked in the UK, NZ, and Australia with many years’ experience in acute surgery, community nursing, child and family health, young disabled and palliative care. She has worked as a researcher and coauthored work published in the area of clinical communication and medical errors. Most recently she has been working the area of chronic disease management in the over 75’s and as a medical chronologist (Asbestos Related Pleural Disease)

Kate Butler is a Registered Nurse with a background in Intensive Care nursing, most recently with the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. With a passion for education and a personal connection – her grandfather had mesothelioma – Kate was excited about the opportunity to understand more about this disease and to help others. The Nurse Education and Resource Package that she is developing will focus on educating nurses on mesothelioma, the crucial role nurses play in caring for the patients; and to increase awareness of ADRI’s wonderful support service.

Ling Zhuang has a bachelor’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Diploma in Laboratory Technology. She has gained further technical skills working at Douglass Hanly Moir the pathology company and at the ANZAC Research Institute.

Ross Flemons is CPA qualified and has vast experience with all financial matters relating to independent medical research organisations. He works part-time and manages all aspects of ADRI’s finances.

Christine Lee joined the ADRI in February 2021 having previously worked for the CRC for Low Carbon Living. She has many years’ experience in Office and IT Management and assists the ADRI Research Director and CEO.

Vivienne Shahin joined ADRI in July 2022. An experienced Marketing Consultant with a demonstrated history over several years working within the tourism, not-for-profit and corporate sectors offering an outsourced marketing department service. Viv works part-time and manages all ADRI's external communications and social media.

Aimee Stenekes joined ADRI in November 2022 upon completion of her Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Science at the University of Technology Sydney. As Junior Laboratory Assistant, Aimee will assist with laboratory procedures, data collection and report writing. In 2023, she will commence her Honour’s project with ADRI and will focus on the utilisation of an in vitro 3D cell culture technique to improve the translatability of novel immunotherapy drugs for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Jenny Weismantel has been working at ADRI since 2011 through the Concord Hospital Volunteers. She has an accounting degree and her administrative skills have made her a valued member of our team. Jenny maintains ADRI’s Endnote databases and supports various admin functions for the research team.

Jo Mezzapica joined the ADRI team to assist the Research Director with maintaining the data registry, and to provide administration support. Prior to ADRI, she worked as a legal secretary for many years with a number of large law firms in Sydney. Her range of experience includes litigation, mergers and acquisitions, employment and commercial law. In her spare time, Jo enjoys the theatre, long walks and keeping fit to look after her grandchildren.