Our people

Samantha Barker

Director

As Director, Sam oversees the operations of ISCRR and provides key leadership in implementing the Institute’s research plan and strategic activities. She is passionate about creating knowledge and influencing thinking so that people can lead healthier lives.

Sam has over 15 years’ of experience in the personal injury sector, 13 of those specialising in research initiatives across government and industry. She has held a range of key management and leadership roles in the sector and is a recipient of the Monash University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff.

Sam was a founding ISCRR employee and throughout the life of the Institute has played an integral role in shaping ISCRR’s strategic direction, research activities and maximising the use of research into practice through innovative collaboration and co-design approaches. She has led and conducted a range of applied research projects for ISCRR’s main funders, WorkSafe Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission, including the Institute’s Horizon Scanning program, which was the first of its kind in Australia to focus on compensation health.

Prior to joining ISCRR, Samantha worked in a number of roles at the TAC across the client services, claims and client research areas. She managed research and service improvement programs to develop and improve customer service and staff engagement and maximise outcomes for people injured on the road.

Samantha holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Psychology (Hons.) from Deakin University, majoring in Human Resource Management.

Dr Janine McMillan

Manager, ISCRR Research

Janine has 18 years of research experience in the field of medical research, including eight years in Research Management. She has also worked as a Problem Based Learning facilitator in the School of Medicine at Deakin University for seven years, developing a strong understanding of clinical medicine.

At ISCRR, Janine liaises closely with WorkSafe in the planning of research projects to ensure the research is meeting their needs, and with the ISCRR research team to deliver high quality research in a timely manner.

Dr Jimmy Twin

Research Communications and Translation Manager

Jimmy has extensive experience in the research and communication fields spanning 18 years complemented with a diverse skill set which includes product development, web design, creative writing, event management, scientific editing and the development of database systems. At ISCRR, Jimmy works closely with ISCRR’s partners to ensure both our research findings and insights are delivered in an accessible, relevant and engaging way. Jimmy oversees the development of a variety of high quality and tailored research translation products that enhance our partners' capacity to use evidence to inform their decision-making and to reach research impact goals.

Prior to joining ISCRR, Jimmy held research translation roles with the Gastroenterological Society of Australia and headspace, coming from a postdoctoral research position at Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. There he carried out research in the fields of infectious disease and sexual health while being an Associate Editor for scientific journal BMC Infectious Diseases. Jimmy has a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Tasmania, a Master of Communication degree from Deakin University and is currently studying psychology at the University of New England.

Dr Kim Pham

Research Program Manager

Kim manages the operational and strategic planning functions at ISCRR as well as project life cycle management of ISCRR research projects. Kim is passionate about continuous process improvement to provide a high-quality research program for WorkSafe and their clients.

In her 15 years’ experience in the biomedical research management and 10 years collective experience in the not-for-profit and commercial sector, Kim has a diverse background in research program management and operations, educational program design and implementation, policy research and proposal development of high impact initiatives for large organisations.

Kim holds a Batchelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) from The University of Melbourne, a PhD in cellular immunology from Swinburne University of Technology and a postgraduate Certificate in Business Development from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.