MEET THE TEAM: IHRI LEADERSHIP
The International Health Research Institute is driven by a passionate team of practitioners, researchers, educators & collaborators who share a deep commitment to advancing healthcare solutions through collaboration and innovation.
Our team members possess a diverse range of expertise in various fields, including:
- Systems & Cybernetics
- Space Science
- Medicine
- Nursing & Paramedicine
- Engineering
- Business
This rich tapestry of backgrounds allows us to approach challenges from multiple perspectives, fostering creative solutions and groundbreaking research. We are united by a shared passion for improving human health and well-being across all environments, both on Earth and beyond.
Each member of the IHRI team is a highly qualified and dedicated professional who plays a vital role in our mission.
If you share our passion for research, education, and collaboration and are interested in joining our vibrant community, we encourage you to contact a member of the leadership team to explore opportunities
Dr. Andrew Hodgers: President
Dr. Andrew Hodgers brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as President. With over 20 years in research, development, and innovation (RD&I) projects across diverse sectors, Dr. Hodgers is a proven leader dedicated to advancing healthcare through education and collaboration.
Dr. Hodgers’ extensive experience includes leading and advising on groundbreaking research projects for global organizations. He has also played a pivotal role in developing and delivering postgraduate programs in higher education, including those focused on global executive leadership and health leadership. His background in work-based learning further strengthens his ability to connect academic knowledge with real-world challenges faced by healthcare professionals.
Dr. Hodgers’ dedication to education extends beyond program development. He has served as a Doctoral Program Advisor, successfully guiding numerous candidates to completion. His expertise is also sought after as a Doctoral Examiner and External Examiner for various academic programs.
He leverages his skills and experience to empower healthcare professionals to become impactful leaders. His passion for innovation and his dedication to collaboration make him a driving force in shaping the future of healthcare education.
Connect with Dr. Hodgers: a.hodgers@ihri.eu
Nicole Foster- COO is an Australian dual registered paramedic/nurse who has worked as a clinician, Manager, and educator on four continents, specialising in remote and austere prehospital care. Nicole holds various committee and board member positions in the United States and Australia and is heavily involved in the Australian College of Paramedicine. She holds a Master’s in Public Health and Tropical Medicine and is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. Nicole has undertaken numerous consultancy and leadership positions in clinical governance and management, leading and managing teams face-to-face and across remote business and clinical environments. Nicole has engaged with various industries in clinical and management positions, including military, mining, NGOs and NFPs, along with many health organisations to confirm quality assurance and best patient care. Nicole specialises in remote learning and education and is an experienced course program designer. She has developed benchmarking and competency frameworks for prehospital professionals to ensure medical staff (medical doctors, nurses, paramedics, and allied health professionals) meet professional standards, college and personal requirements.
Dr. Manavi Jadhav- Head of Space Research, is a laboratory astrophysicist/cosmochemist, planetary scientist, and educator. Her primary research work focuses on deciphering the origins of stardust grains found in primitive meteorites that allows us to learn more about the origins of our solar system and other planetary systems. To attain these research goals, Manavi has been involved in developing cutting edge-measurement protocols on state-of-the-art nano-microscopy mass spectrometers and other analytical instruments to analyze microscopic extraterrestrial materials. In the capacity of Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator during her recent tenure as an assistant professor of Physics at the University of Louisiana, USA, she procured and managed several federal and non-federal research grants. She won the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR research fellowship. Dr Jadhav has extensive experience in conceptualizing and designing research projects to address multidisciplinary scientific problems. With over 10 years of experience in building research teams and laboratories from the ground up, she is a meticulous research project and program manager dealing with a diverse range of multi-disciplinary stakeholders in STEM research. Manavi has supervised numerous research students at the undergraduate and graduate level. In her classroom, research group, and outreach activities, Manavi strives passionately to implement equity and justice principles to empower and ensure the success of women and marginalized communities, and to diversify scientific and educational communities. She serves as an at-large member and the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) co-representative of the Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) which represents her research community to NASA. She is also a steering committee member of the Cross-AG EDIA working group for the planetary science community. As a planetary scientist, Manavi has a deep reverence for the dynamic systems in play on Earth and uses field exploration as a means to gain a deeper understanding of the Earth and, in turn, other planets. She has been a deep-field expedition member of the Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) for which she received the National Science Foundation’s Antarctic Service Medal.
Dr. Sabrina Poradosú- Chief Medical Officer (Space Health & Human Factors) is a medical doctor specialized in internal medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. She obtained her medical degree in the Spanish Basque Country before relocating to Belgium for specialised training. With over a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Poradosú is passionate about the intricacies of the endocrine system, notably hormones and their role in health and the alterations that lead to disease. Her clinical focus encompasses adrenal disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, hirsutism, and pituitary gland function. Dr. Poradosú advocates for patient empowerment through education and aims to enhance patient outcomes by promoting greater compliance. Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Poradosú is a member of the Aeromedical Association of Belgium and is an Aeromedical Examiner. Her academic pursuits extend to space medicine, where she holds a Master of Science in Space Studies from KU Leuven, Belgium. Her Master’s thesis delved into the complex relationship between cortisol, immunity, and potential countermeasures in the space environment. With a focus on astronauts’ health in future long-term (deep) space missions, Dr. Poradosú is particularly interested in protecting human health in space, specifically in preventing and treating cortisol imbalances and metabolic changes such as insulin resistance in space.
Dr. Culligan is a highly experienced professional, 30+ years in the fields of Engineering, Materials Science and Quality Systems. Ciaran brings a wealth of knowledge and practical understanding to both academic and professional settings. Ciaran is passionate about fostering excellence and driving innovation. His extensive diverse experience allows him to bridge the gap between theory and practice, creating a valuable resource for both researchers and industry professionals.
Corinne is a highly skilled and experienced emergency and flight intensive care nurse with a distinguished international career. Throughout her extensive journey, she has provided critical and intensive care in both in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings across various countries. Her impressive international experience includes: Flight emergency critical care nurse deployments in Mali, Somalia, Niger, South Africa, and Tanzania with the United Nations and international medical companies. An ICU nurse and medical skills trainer for French fire fighter units in her home country, France. Corine has extensive expertise in medical evacuation procedures, honed through her work with the European Union in Niger. Corinne also leverages her expertise as a medical regulator in Switzerland.
Patrice Honvou, is a highly skilled and seasoned Emergency and Critical Care Paramedic with over 10 years of international experience. He specializes in flight and offshore operations, providing critical medical care in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Throughout his career, Patrice has served with distinction in various locations, including Mali, South Africa, Benin, Nigeria, and Ghana. He has worked for organizations such as the United Nations and International Medical Companies, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to global healthcare and his ability to thrive in diverse settings.
Patrice’s extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of emergency and critical care procedures make him a valuable asset to any team. His dedication to patient care and his ability to work effectively under pressure are truly commendable.
Dr. Angela Martin is a South Australian Registered Paramedic, Consultant Paramedic, peer-reviewed author, and leading international expert in Community Paramedicine. Her understanding and passion for bridging health service inequalities has been backed by her PhD research, consultancy engagement with national peak body, Australasian College of Paramedicine & her public advocacy for Community Paramedicine, for over a decade. Angela has over 25 years’ health industry experience in nursing, paramedicine, education, and leadership across rural and remote South Australia, which has provided her lived experience and sound insight into primary health care
challenges facing rural, remote and First Nations communities. Her transformational leadership style means she is innovative, courageous, and driven to take on any challenge big or small. Angela was awarded the South Australia Emergency Services Medal for distinguished & meritorious service of the highest order (Community Paramedicine) 2018. South Australia Ambulance Service Clinical Excellence Commendation in Professional Development for exceptional leadership and commitment to personal, professional, and clinical development for regional communities (Community Paramedicine) 2016. South Australia Ambulance Service Paramedics Australasia Rod Kershaw
Scholarship (Community Paramedicine) 2013.
Dr Peter O’Meara is an APHRA registered paramedic in Australia (No. 00073350) and an internationally recognized expert on paramedicine models of care and education. Peter’s current roles include being a Professor in the Department of Paramedicine at Monash University and a course assessor for the Paramedic Board of Australia (AHPRA). He has completed a wide range of research projects and published extensively. Peter continues to supervise graduate research students and is working on several paramedic-related research projects related to community paramedicine and violence against health workers. Peter holds a wide range of board and advisory appointments internationally in the United States, Canada and Wales related to paramedicine and primary care.