Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre

The Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre (ODREC) was established at the Skin Health Institute in March 2001 by dermatologist and occupational physician Associate Professor Rosemary Nixon AM, and patch test nurse and researcher Kath Frowen.

In September 2001, ODREC received seed funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to operate as the National Collaborative Centre for Research and Education into Occupational Contact Dermatitis until 2006. This enabled the creation of a small research group active in the area of occupational contact dermatitis.

A number of overseas dermatologists have sought specialised training in occupational dermatology at the Institute and the group has contributed over 150 publications to the international literature on occupational dermatology.

The Occupational Dermatology Clinic, run by ODREC personnel, assesses workers suspected of occupational dermatitis with patch testing.