Professor Louise Cullen is Director of Research and Innovation and a Specialist in the Emergency and Trauma Centre at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. A clinical trialist and outcomes researcher, her work focuses on acute diseases and biomarkers, translating research into clinical redesign and innovation. She has over 15 years of experience in emergency medicine research, with more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, including in The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet.

I was a junior consultant who loved clinical work, but I became frustrated with access block and the lengthy assessment of patients with possible acute coronary syndromes (ACS). I kept thinking, surely there’s a better way. As I explored the literature, I realised there was a significant gap in evidence, and that’s when I knew I wanted to do something about it. Over time, my focus has shifted from doing the research myself to supporting and mentoring the next wave of emergency medicine researchers.

My research spans clinical trials and outcomes studies, particularly in ACS, emergency department redesign, and acute care pathways. EMF funding has been vital, I’ve been involved in over 20 EMF-funded projects that have allowed me to explore new approaches, run high-quality trials, and build a strong research team. The support has been especially important for collaborative, multi-site projects that aim to improve patient care across Queensland. The Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) research funded by EMF informed the MRFF-funded Powerful Pictures Study that I lead, which is co-designing improved care models with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

My research seeks to make patient care safer, faster, and more evidence-based. For example, in ACS, we aim to streamline assessment and decision-making to reduce unnecessary delays while maintaining safety. I also focus on translating findings into clinical redesign, changing processes, pathways, and systems so that research outcomes actually benefit patients at the bedside.

I want my research to influence both practice and policy. That means developing evidence that can be embedded into guidelines, informing clinical pathways, and supporting decision-making in real-world settings. Long-term, I hope it contributes to a culture where research continuously informs practice and improves patient outcomes.

Collaboration is central. Research in emergency medicine is complex and multidisciplinary, requiring statisticians, clinicians, and health economists. Working with experts from different fields and across hospitals not only strengthens the studies but also ensures findings are implemented more broadly. Mentorship, sponsorship, and connecting researchers with opportunities are equally important for growing the next generation.

Research is a team sport, you can’t do it alone. Be patient, persistent, and strategic about your time. Align projects with your expertise, values, and the impact you want to make. For EMF funding, start early, build a capable team, engage with collaborators, and use feedback to strengthen applications. Even small, practical studies can make a meaningful difference.

I continue to lead and support projects in ACS through the Powerful Pictures Study, emergency department redesign, and acute care. My priority is nurturing early-career researchers, building collaborative teams, and translating research into practice. Beyond that, I focus on projects that promise meaningful improvements for patients and clinicians in the emergency department.