MSBase

Helmut Butzkueven MD, Managing Director

Helmut Butzkueven is Professor of Neurology and Chair of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology research in the Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University. He is also appointed as Head of MS and Neuroimmunology at the Alfred Hospital and Director of the MS service at Box Hill Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

His research and clinical interest involves the use of registry data, clinical MRI data, cognitive testing, genomics and patient self-monitoring devices and applications to evaluate treatment strategies to optimise benefit and safety of MS therapies.

Prof Butzkueven led the MSBase operations and scientific teams in an honorary capacity for nearly a decade before his role as Managing Director was formalised in 2013.

Anneke van der Walt MD, Chief Operating Officer

A/Prof Anneke van der Walt is a Neurologist specializing in the management of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuro-ophthalmology. She is appointed as the Head of MS and Neuro-ophthalmology at Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia and her research laboratory is based in the Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University.  

Her research interests include digital biomarkers and applied technology, real-world data, MS cognition and cerebellar function. She has a keen interest in Women’s Health in MS as well as symptom management in people with MS. 

A/Prof van der Walt was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in 2019, to work in partnership with the MD and lead MSBase operations.

Charlotte Sartori, BHSc, Head of Operations

Charlotte holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences from Deakin University. Charlotte has previous experience in membership management and study coordination at MSBase and now oversees operational activities whilst working with other senior staff to advance the strategic missions of the registry. 

Charlotte can be contacted on charlotte.sartori@monash.edu

Rein More, PMP, PMI-ACP, PRINCE2 – Head of IT

Rein is an AIIM Certified Information Professional, holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, an Agile Certified Practitioner and PRINCE2 Practitioner. She is an experienced Project Manager in Information Technology in Healthcare and Finance, with a background specialising in Information Management and Consulting.

Rein can be contacted on rein.more@monash.edu

Ana Siddiqui, CPA, BCom – Head of Finance

Ana holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Melbourne. She is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

She has experience in accounting and finance, team leadership and risk management and has worked across large multinational companies and start-ups.

Ana can be contacted on ana.siddiqui@monash.edu

Pamela Farr, PhD, BMedChem, Senior Project and Data Manager

Pam holds a doctorate and Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry from University of Wollongong. She has experience in research and clinical administration. Pam started with MSBase as Membership Officer and has recently moved into data management of MSBase studies as well as coordinating the MSOCR sub-studies.

Pam can be contacted on pamela.farr@monash.edu

Dusko Stupar, BCom, BBIS, IT Support Officer

Dusko holds a Bachelor of Business Information Systems and Bachelor of Commerce from Swinburne University. He has experience in first-line technical support and troubleshooting. Dusko is the Support Officer liaising IT Service requests and actively driving the rollout of the MSBase Data-entry and Visualisation Software (MDS) to MSBase centres globally.

Dusko can be contacted on dusko.stupar@monash.edu

Cynthia Tang, MHA, Study Coordinator and Scientific Secretary

Cynthia holds a Master of Health Administration from La Trobe University. She has experience in Australian healthcare system, project process, and extensive experience in international hospitality management and customer service. Cynthia is the Safe MS Care study coordinator and Scientific Secretary for MSBase.

Cynthia can be contacted on cynthia.tang@monash.edu

Alison Le, BCom and Grad. Dip, Bookkeeper and Administrator

Alison graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1997 with a focus on accounting and then went on to further studies completing a Graduate Diploma in Applied Information Systems in 2002. She has experience in Finance and Accounting, specifically in the Healthcare Industry. Alison joins us part-time as the MSBase Bookkeeper and Administrator.

Alison can be contacted on alison.le@monash.edu

Sonya Smirnova, BA, Membership & Administrative Officer

Sonya holds a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.

She has worked for Public Health institutions in New Zealand as well as the Australian Banking & Finance industry. Sonya's focus has been on high priority, strategy-aligned initiatives, and work, with an interest in risk management and cloud technologies.

Sonya can be contacted on sonya.smirnova@monash.edu

Gaurang Palshetkar, MA, Information Technology, Technical Business Analyst

Gaurang holds a Master of Information Technology (Professional Computing) from Swinburne University. He has experience in Business Analysis and Product Management and has worked for several start-ups and small to medium size enterprises. Gaurang's role is to ensure business and technical outcomes are achieved as MSBase embarks on a journey towards a cloud-based ecosystem.

Gaurang can be contacted on gaurang.palshetkar@msbase.org

Chao Zhu, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, Statistician

Dr. Zhu obtained a bachelor's degree in Computer Science (China), a bachelor's honour degree in Actuarial Mathematics (Canada), a master's degree in Statistics (Canada), and a PhD in Biostatistics (Australia). He has worked as a statistician in various fields including finance, data science, and medical research. Chao is the part-time statistician for MSBase analyses.

Chao can be contacted on chao.zhu@monash.edu

Tim Spelman, MBBS, BSc, GradCert (Stats), Statistical Consultant

Dr Spelman is a biostatistician of 15 years' experience having worked previously for the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Monash University, Flinders University, Burnet Institute, Alfred Hospital and Austin Hospital. He is also a practising medical doctor with interests in epidemiology, population and public health. Tim is the primary statistician for MSBase analyses.

Tim can be contacted on info@msbase.org