B. Sp. Sc (Exercise Science), UNSW, Dip. Ed (Phys Ed), UNSW, B. Sci (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 1999-2008 Dr Wickham worked as an Anatomy Lecturer at La Trobe University in Melbourne. He has been employed at Charles Sturt University from 2008 to the present and is currently the Head of Anatomy for the School of Rural Medicine. His current research interest is in the use of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis, and he has been successful in large NH&MRC grants for the current Phase III clinical trial for knee osteoarthritis in collaboration with Melbourne Stem Cell Centre Research. Associate Professor Wickham is also a member of the Australia and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists and has spearheaded the creation of an “Anatomy Learning Space” utilising plastinated specimens at Charles Sturt. Associate Professor Wickham has been teaching Anatomy for over 30 years at University of Wollongong, La Trobe University and now Charles Sturt University. He has been the Head of Anatomy for the School of Rural Medicine at Charles Sturt for the last 5 years since its inception and has expertise in all areas of anatomy. He is currently implementing a new core regional anatomy syllabus for the medicine degree to be rolled out in 2026 Associate Professor Wickham has a research interest is in the non-surgical management of osteoarthritis using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). He works in collaboration with Melbourne Stem Cell Centre Research and Magellan Stem Cell Inc 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. Associate Professor Wickham also has a research interest in anatomy education for medicine students and will use the Anatomy Learning Space and the new anatomy curriculum as the framework for this research.
Anatomy and Physiology3803700
Associate Professor James Wickham
Associate Professor in Anatomy
Orange
Building 1008, Room 245
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 have received national support via an NH&MRC grant to help fund our Phase III clinical trial for knee osteoarthritis which we hope will lead to commercialisation and that MSC therapy will eventually be the front-line treatment option for osteoarthritis.