Imaging Staff

Dr Mariano Makara - Senior Lecturer in Diagnostic Imaging

Dr.med.vet. Dipl. ECVDI
Dr Makara earned his veterinary degree at the University of La Plata, Argentina. In January 2005, he began a radiology internship with Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine, under the guidance and direction of Dr. Joe Morgan where a significant part of his responsibilities included reading radiographs and performing ultrasound examinations. He then moved to the University of Zurich in Switzerland where he completed a residency program in diagnostic imaging and passed his certification exams for the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in March 2010. Following this he was promoted to Assistant Professor at the University of Zurich where he was responsible for each of the diagnostic modalities including diagnostic radiology, ultrasound, and CT in both small and large animals.
Dr Makara has also completed externships at the University of Bern and University of Wisconsin in order to gain additional skills in MRI and Nuclear Medicine. Since January 2011 he has served as an Associate Professor at St. George’s University.
His research interests have centred around computed tomography angiography, and he has completed research projects in thoracic computed tomography angiography contrast medium injection technique and use in diagnosis of infections with Angiostrongylus vasorum in dogs.

Dr Juan Podadera - Resident in Medical Imaging

MedVet BVSc

Juan is currently undertaking a training program to become a specialist radiologist.
His particular interests are Equine MRI, Thoracic radiography and Fusion imaging.

Dr Jennifer Chau - Resident in Diagnostic Imaging

BVSc(Hons) GradDipVetClinStud (Small Animal Clinical Studies)
Jennifer graduated from Vet Science at the University of Sydney in 2007. For the first few years, she settled comfortably in a small animal practice in south-western Sydney and really enjoyed her experience there in general medicine. Jennifer has special interests in Diagnostic Imaging and Internal Medicine so decided to venture on to the UVTHS in 2010 to further her knowledge in these areas of expertise.
In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her three little geriatric dogs, and keeping fit with pilate classes and jogging sessions.

Helen Laurendet - Senior Radiographer

BaApSci MedIm
Helen has been employed by the Sydney University for the last twenty years. Her prior training covers St Vincent’s Hospital and several years spent at the St George Hospital. Helen is involved in teaching both, undergraduate and postgraduate students in diagnostic imaging. Helen is largely responsible for the radiography and fluoroscopy of both clinical and research cases; as well as quality control of images.

Kathy Hughes - MRI/CT Senior Radiographer

Kathy earned her degree in human radiography in the USA, and gained her CT experience at New York University Medical Centre throughout the early 1980’s. She then specialised in clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) starting in 1987. Kathy worked for 15 years with Philips Medical Systems Internationally, first as MRI Clinical Specialist North America, and then MRI Product Specials at Phillips MR headquarters in Europe with a focus on the development of Cardiac MRI.

In Australia she worked again with Philips Medical as MR Product Specialist and MR Product Manager for Aus/NZ. In 2002 she became manager of the Mayne clinical Research Imaging Centre dedicated to 3Tesla brain and orthopaedic research. She is responsible for MR and CT clinical imaging and research projects, as well as PACS/IT issues. Kathy came to the University of Sydney in 2008 Veterinary Hospital and is enjoying the challenge and rewards of working with animals.