About CTAU

The purpose, function, governance, and structure of the AOA Clinical Trials and Analytics Unit

Purpose

CTAU delivers clinical trials and other studies, and provides bespoke data services for industry.

The AOA Clinical Trials & Analytics Unit (CTAU) was established to coordinate orthopaedic research from proposal to publication. It serves as a single point of contact for investigators, industry partners, and collaborators seeking to conduct clinical trials and data-driven research within the AOA ecosystem.

CTAU operates across three core streams:

    Investigator-led trials

  • MRFF, NHMRC and philanthropic funding
  • Surgeon and investigator-led questions
  • Large pragmatic and registry-enabled trials

    Industry studies

  • Appropriately governed clinical studies
  • Independent protocol, contracting and publication requirements
  • Commercial funding with scientific oversight

    Analytical projects

  • Industry data requests and analytical projects
  • Data management and statistics delivered by CDMS
  • Publications and evidence-generation support

What CTAU does not do

CTAU does notResponsibility remains with
Source or provide grant funding External funding bodies and applicants
Write grants as a service for third parties Applicant institutions and investigator teams
Act as the legal study sponsor The formally nominated sponsor
Decide on research themes or priorities Chief Investigators
Directly recruit surgeons or patients Investigators and participating sites
Perform data management or statistical analysis CDMS (Centre for Data & Medical Statistics)

Support available

CTAU may support grant development, site activation, recruitment planning and approved study delivery.

Structure

CTAU operates with defined clinical leadership and operational management roles, supported by a team of coordinators and data specialists.

Christopher Vertullo
Clinical Director
Christopher Wall
Deputy Clinical Director
David Gill
Deputy Clinical Director
Sam MacDessi
Assistant Deputy Clinical Director
David Campbell
Assistant Deputy Clinical Director
Andrew Fraval
Assistant Deputy Clinical Director
Kathy Hill
Executive Manager
Larissa Sattler
Interim CTAU Manager

Three separate units with defined interfaces

CTAU operates alongside two partner units within the AOA research ecosystem

AOANJRR

Governs registry data. The Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry holds the clinical outcomes data that underpins registry-enabled research.

CTAU

Governs study delivery. Coordinates trials, industry studies, and analytical projects from proposal through to publication.

CDMS

Delivers data and statistics. The Centre for Data & Medical Statistics provides data management, statistical analysis, and analytical outputs.

Governance

Clear delegation allows timely decisions while maintaining Board accountability.

AOA Board

↓

CTAU Management Committee

Strategy, oversight, risk and escalation

↓

CTAU Working Group

Portfolio, feasibility, priority and operational decisions

↓

Clinical Leadership & Operational Teams

Study delivery, contracts, sites, quality and CDMS coordination

Project pathway

1
Early Contact
Preferably ≥12 weeks before a major grant deadline.
2
Feasibility
Clinical question, design, sites, data, budget and capacity.
3
Decision
Prioritise, approve, defer or decline.
4
Delivery
Named clinical liaison and accountable operational lead.
5
Oversight
Monitor progress, safety, quality, budget and outputs.

NHMRC administering institution status

AOA is seeking NHMRC Administering Institution status, which would allow the Association to receive and administer NHMRC & MRFF funding directly. This enables AOA-led NHMRC applications, direct grant receipt and administration, and institutional ownership of delivery – subject to research governance, financial controls, and ongoing compliance reporting.

Get in touch

For enquiries about CTAU's purpose, governance, or research partnerships:


Contact CTAU