Anatomy and Physiology

Dr James Wickham

B.Sp.Sc (Exercise Science), UNSW, Dip.Ed (Phys.Ed), UNSW, B.Sc (Hons) UW, PhD, UW

In 1992 Dr Wickham received a Bachelor of Sports Science (exercise science) from the University of New South Wales and a Diploma of Education (physical education) in 1993 from the same institution. In 1995 he received a 1st Class Honours Degree from the University of Wollongong and a PhD in 2002 which focussed on the activation patterns of skeletal muscle segments around the shoulder joint.

From 1999 to mid 2008 Dr Wickham worked as an Anatomy Lecturer at La Trobe University in Melbourne. He has been employed at CSU from mid 2008 to the present as a Human Anatomy and Physiology Lecturer.

His current research interest is in the use of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis

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Teaching philosophy

Dr Wickham's key objective as a teacher is to encourage students to develop a real interest and enthusiasm in the subject matter and hence to empower students with an intrinsic motivation to learn and gain new knowledge.

Head of Anatomy teaching for Medicine Years 1 & 2.

My current research interest is in the non-surgical management of osteoarthritis using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). I work in collaboration with Melbourne Stem Cell Centre, Magellan Stem Cells and Metro Pain Clinic in Melbourne in conducting clinical trials where these stem cells, which are harvested from human adipose tissue, are used for osteoarthritic joints and degenerative intervertebral discs. Charles Sturt University has ethical oversight of these trials in which there are six current clinical trials running using both donor derived and autologous stem cells for treatment with my role being to help in the publishing of outcome data from these trials.

Results thus far for the hundreds of patients receiving treatment has been encouraging with significant decreases in pain and increased functionality of their joints. We hope that this research will lead to MSC therapy to eventually be the front-line treatment option for osteoarthritis.