Catherine Susan Downs

Dr. Catherine Susan Downs is a clinician scientist and Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Sydney, Faculty of Medicine & Health. With over 30 years' experience as a cardiac and obstetric anaesthesiologist primarily at Prince of Wales Hospital on Randwick Campus, she became a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at UNSW in 2018. Her academic journey began with graduating in Medicine from UNSW Sydney with the University Medal, followed by internship and Anaesthetic registrar training at St. Vincent's Hospital and Royal Hospital for Women.

Dr. Downs' educational credentials include:

• 1992 - UNSW Medicine MBBS First Class Honours and University Medal, Valedictorian
• 1999 - FANZCA - Fellow of Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists - Cecil Gray fellowship Medal Valedictorian
• 2019 - University of Melbourne Masters in Clinical Ultrasound
• 2020, 2024, 2025 - Learn to Lead course - Australian Graduate School of Management UNSW

Her research focuses on patient blood management (PBM) and critical bleeding management through implementation of viscoelastic haemostatic assays (VHA) using ROTEM technology. In 2015, she personally funded the purchase of two ROTEM machines and established the interdisciplinary Randwick campus ROTEM working party. Her research examines compliance with evidence-based ROTEM algorithms and clinician beliefs about adherence. She also collaborates with the GRACE Institute UNSW on pelvic pain, endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, and the uterine transplant project which has celebrated two successful births.

Dr. Downs is recognized as a national leader in patient blood management with over two decades of thought leadership. She regularly presents at national and international meetings, collaborates with industry partners like Werfen International, and engages with Red Cross Lifeblood. Her work has direct educational impact through supervision of ILP/Honours students and contributions to the 2027 UNSW Medical curriculum redesign.

Her notable scientific awards include the 2024 Conferred Academic Titleholder Engagement Award for Collegiality, Engagement and Leadership, the ANZCA Cecil Gray Prize (1997), and the UNSW Medicine MBBS University Medal (1992), among multiple other prestigious recognitions.

Dr. Downs has secured significant research funding including philanthropic grants for ECMO and ROTEM machines, POW Foundation support, and UNSW SEED funding. She currently supervises five ILP/Honours students (2025-2026) on projects related to blood management and women's health. As Principal Investigator for the DECIDE trial evaluating dexmedetomidine for delirium prevention after cardiac surgery, she continues to lead important clinical research through 2028.