Welcome to the Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre

    About ODREC

    The Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre (ODREC) is an internationally renowned centre with extensive experience in the assessment and management of OCD, including patch testing. ODREC aims to reduce the incidence and impact of occupational contact dermatitis in Australia, through research and education about work related skin disease.

    ODREC was established at the Skin and Cancer Foundation, Victoria in March 2001 by Dr Rosemary Nixon AM and Ms Kath Frowen. ODREC is self-funded and appreciative of support from the Skin Health Institute, Victoria, and various other funding organisations.

    ODREC is a small and dedicated team, which consists of:

    Staff

    • Associate Professor Rosemary Nixon AM is the Director of ODREC and is the only person to have attained Australian specialist qualifications in both dermatology and occupational medicine. A/Prof Nixon runs monthly patch testing clinics which focus on occupational cases of contact dermatitis, performs research and supervisors several research fellows, and is also a member of several international committees.
    • Dr Jennifer Cahill is a dermatologist who also runs a monthly clinic, and assists with various research projects.
    • Ms Amanda Palmer is a registered nurse, health promotion officer and research assistant and co-ordinates Contact Allergen Bank Australia.
    • Ms Allison Muis provides administration support and manages bookings for the patch testing clinics.
    • Each year a new research fellow is employed. The current research fellow is Dr Kate Dear. Each year the research fellow assists in the Occupational Dermatology Clinic and contributes to many research projects and publications.