We are excited to announce that Dr. Brigitte Gerstl, an advocate for reproductive health and accomplished researcher, has started her new role as the Research Outcomes Coordinator at SPHERE.
A Passionate Researcher
Brigitte’s journey into research was catalysed by her keen interest in epidemiological trends and her aspiration to effect substantive improvements in healthcare delivery systems.
"I was motivated to pursue a career in research because I aspired to make a concerted difference in both community health and individual lives," she reflects.
Her diverse research interests have allowed her to contribute significantly to various projects while her ability to set up and manage complex, multifaceted projects has made her a sought-after researcher in her field.
Pioneering the Uterus Transplant Program
Before joining SPHERE, Dr Gerstl made substantial contributions as the program manager for the uterus transplant research study program at the Royal Hospital for Women. She was instrumental in establishing the live donor uterus transplant research study, a groundbreaking initiative that has offered new hope to women facing uterine factor infertility.
Her responsibilities included overseeing patient screening, ethics, and governance, ensuring that the program adhered to the highest standards of medical care and research integrity.
The program has resulted in three transplants, two pregnancies, and two live births, offering hope to women who have faced significant challenges in their journey to parenthood.
"I strongly believe in equitable healthcare for all Australians. A pivotal factor in my decision to join the uterus transplant team was the program’s vision to offer this groundbreaking treatment to Australian women nationwide.”
Impact on Oncofertility
Dr Gerstl’s research has made substantial contributions to the field of oncofertility. Her work has generated evidence-based insights both locally and internationally and has helped to advance the development of clinical resources, significantly enhancing healthcare professional’s capacity to provide reproductive guidance and counselling to cancer patients around the potential impact of cancer treatments on patient’s' future fertility and opportunity for family planning in the survivorship period.
Her efforts have also led to the establishment of two Oncofertility Medicare item numbers, which are currently on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule. These provide more equitable fertility preservation opportunities for cancer patients.
"We aimed to make fertility preservation accessible to all Australians," she explains, emphasising her commitment to equitable healthcare.
Dr Gerstl was also involved in the development and management of the Australasian Oncofertility Registry, the largest oncofertility registry globally. This comprehensive database collects cancer and fertility data throughout patient’s cancer journey and survivorship period, contributing to a deeper understanding of the field.
Joining SPHERE: A New Chapter
In her new role as Research Outcomes Coordinator at SPHERE, Dr Gerstl aims to leverage her extensive experience and expertise to further advance health research and outcomes by building capacity and fostering partnerships.
"I value that SPHERE is about bringing people together and building capacity. Those who work in silos miss out on the benefits of incredible collaboration. The more you collaborate with others, the more you learn about yourself, and the more your research gains a diverse, interesting, and holistic perspective. You can answer far more questions this way. When you remain myopic in your focus, you miss out on different perspectives that can significantly enhance your projects going forward."
Beyond Research
Outside of her professional achievements, Brigitte is a mother of three, an avid meditator, enjoys cooking, Pilates, long walks, and cold swims. She is also a voracious reader and conducts evening research huddles twice a week to mentor emerging researchers.
We look forward to working with Brigitte as we advance SPHERE’s vision to transform healthcare.