TOTALFUSION - Key Persons


Ben Kennedy

Job Titles:
  • Research Director
  • Research Director at Mermaid Beach Radiology
Ben Kennedy is currently the MRI Clinical and Research Director at Mermaid Beach Radiology and Brisbane Radiology. He has a master's degree in MRI from the University of Queensland and is currently an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Menzies School of Health Research. His specialties are MRI pulse sequence development and the translation of research applications into clinical mainstream imaging. He has a long-standing MRI clinical sciences collaboration with Philips Healthcare, Netherlands. Ben has been an invited speaker at organisations such as the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), International Society for Magnetic Resonance Technologists and Radiographers (ISMRT), European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology (ESMRMB), European Society for Head and Neck Radiology (ESHNR), Asian-Oceanian Congress of Neuroradiology (AOCNR), Queensland Hand Surgery Society (QHSS), Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT), Griffith University, and Healthia. He covers topics such as pulse sequence optimisation, new development, MRI physics, translation of research applications into the clinical space, and multiple specialised clinical applications. Ben is currently serving on the ISMRT Governing Board and is the Chair for the MRI Safety Committee. He is also a Past President of the ISMRT and ISMRM Governing Board and has served in other previous executive roles.

DR. JULIO AGUADO

Job Titles:
  • Research Fellow
Dr. Julio Aguado earned his PhD in Systems Medicine in 2018 from the European School of Molecular Medicine and is currently a senior scientist at the University of Queensland. He ranks among the top 0.54% of global researchers in aging research and actively contributes to international evaluation committees. A member of Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council's Grant Review Panel, he has a decade-long research-focused academic career in human aging and longevity. Dr. Aguado's work, published in leading scientific journals such as Aging Cell, Science Advances, Nature Communications, and Ageing Research Reviews, reflects his dedication to unraveling the intricacies of aging. Notably, he has secured over $1,500,000 in competitive fellowships and research grants, primarily during his postdoctoral stage, underscoring his commitment to pioneering research. Currently, Dr. Aguado directs his curiosity towards the interplay of cellular senescence in brain aging. He is particularly interested in interventions like enolytics to enhance both lifespan and health span. His journey signifies an enduring pursuit of knowledge and a determination to shape a healthier future through innovative research.

Dr. Nicholas West

Job Titles:
  • Immunologist
  • Immunologist in the Mucosal Immunology Research Group at Griffith University
Dr. Nicholas West is a molecular immunologist in the Mucosal Immunology Research Group at Griffith University. Nic's research focus is on the interaction of our gut microbiome and immune system in health and disease, with a particular focus on ‘inflammaging'. As part of his research, Nic co-leads the AussieGut™ initiative, which aims to develop an understanding of the microbiome in the Australian population. In his spare time, Nic is an avid biohacker, spends too much time at his coffee machine, and enjoys travel.

Dr. Simon Baarbé - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Board
  • Medical Director
  • Chairman of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Simon Baarbé is the Chairman of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board and Medical Director for TotalFusion. Simon's unique career began in the world of private intelligence, where his investigative acumen and analytical approaches to finding truth within swaths of discordant data contributed to landmark victories in the New York Supreme Court for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and other public and private entities in investigations of organised crime, fraud, and corruption. That same reverence for truth, critical reasoning, and an outside-the-box engineering problem-solving approach is now the foundation of his medical practice and professional passion: a strategic, proactive, evidence-informed application of longevity science, empowering clients to shift their odds in favour of living as well as they can for as long as humanly possible. His professional interest was formed by his time working in public and private hospitals alongside experts in a variety of medical and surgical specialties, treating patients across a broad spectrum of health issues. During this time, he realised the majority of patients were in hospital due to preventable or delayable age-related chronic conditions. Had they taken more drastic action sooner, many could still be enjoying a higher quality of life, still enjoying the activities most meaningful to them. During his personal time, Simon enjoys outdoor adventure sports, and misadventure generally. Though he has far too many hobbies, he often finds himself staying late in his office, or at home with his dog while quietly staying current on the cutting edge of all things related to human longevity.

Dr. ZANE SHERIF

Zane's areas of interest and specialisation include brain/spine imaging and interventional procedures, particularly pain management. Dr. Sherif is a keen photographer and is obsessed with image quality, both in his hobby and professional life. When Dr. Sherif is not working, with the little spare time he has, he is consumed by his adorable kids who keep him well anchored and maintain his "Dad Jokes" skill level at top-notch. And if there is any time left over after that, you may find him on a boat, floating around the Gold Coast waterways at low speed, absorbing the beauty of the Gold Coast city he calls home.