Claire Rickard

Professor Claire Rickard is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow and internationally recognized nurse researcher at the University of Queensland's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work. She directs the Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research (AVATAR), leading a network of 100+ clinicians and researchers conducting large-scale RCTs on catheter-related complications. Her research focuses on preventing healthcare-associated infections through innovations in vascular access devices and infusion therapy.

Her landmark contributions include the One Million Global Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Study (OMG Study) and over 50 randomized controlled trials. Recognized as a global expert, she ranks in the top 0.037% for occlusive dressings research and top 0.0077% for vascular access devices expertise.

Research Focus: Vascular access complications, IV therapy safety, infection control methodologies, and clinical trial design in critical care settings.

Awards & Honors:

• Inductee, Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame (2013)
• Fellow, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (2015)

Current Supervision: Mentoring PhD candidates on urinary catheter infection prevention and IV catheter bloodstream infection reduction strategies.