Elizabeth Wake

Early-Career Researcher, Gold Coast University Hospital Trauma Service, Australia

Elizabeth Wake is an early-career researcher based at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) Trauma Service. In her role as CNC Trauma Research Coordinator, she oversees the implementation and development of a coordinated program of research for the Gold Coast University Hospital Trauma Service providing her with a comprehensive understanding of all research undertaken across the trauma population.

She has extensive project management experience, including leading the multi-centre clinical trials of FEISTY I (adult trauma patients; NCT02745041), FEISTY Junior (paediatric patients; NCT03508141), and more recently the MRFF-funded ACTION study, which aims to implement and evaluate Trauma Patient Navigators across 8 major trauma centres in Australia.

Elizabeth also leads the GCUH longitudinal follow-up program for major trauma patients, which forms one pillar of the hospital’s post-discharge model of care. This program, implemented in 2019, achieves >80% successful follow-up rates. She was recently awarded her PhD in February 2026 – A mixed-method evaluation for the follow-up care provided to patients who have experienced serious traumatic injuries. 

Elizabeth has over 30 peer reviewed publications and been awarded over $6m in competitive research funding. She received the Emerging Leader Award from the Australian and New Zealand Trauma Society (ANZTS 2025).
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