Assist. Prof. Dr. David Canty | Lung Ultrasound | Best Researcher Award
University of Melbourne | Australia
Assist. Prof. Dr. David Canty is a world leader in point-of-care ultrasound and a pioneering clinician-scientist in cardiothoracic anaesthesia. He played a transformative role in establishing focused cardiac ultrasound as a disruptive tool in anaesthetic practice and extended its application to multiple medical specialties. His innovative approach combines clinical expertise with cutting-edge educational strategies, introducing simulator-based and eLearning platforms to make ultrasound training scalable, mobile, and self-directed. With more than fifty peer-reviewed publications, numerous grants, and international collaborations, he has advanced both research and clinical practice. Dr. Canty is a respected academic at the University of Melbourne and Monash University, where he has developed award-winning courses and contributed significantly to the integration of ultrasound into medical curricula. His contributions are globally recognized through leadership roles, editorial appointments, and invitations to prestigious conferences, reflecting his commitment to advancing patient care, medical education, and research innovation.
Profile
ORCID
Education
Dr. David Canty pursued his foundational medical training with distinction, earning an MBBS with Honours from the University of Tasmania. His deep interest in perioperative medicine led him to specialist training in anaesthesia at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, culminating in Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. He further strengthened his expertise with a Diploma in Perioperative and Critical Care Echocardiography at the University of Melbourne, aligning his clinical interests with advanced imaging technologies. To integrate research into his career, he completed a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Tasmania, focusing on novel applications of focused cardiac ultrasound in anaesthesia. This academic journey combined rigorous clinical training with advanced scientific inquiry, laying the foundation for his pioneering contributions to ultrasound education and research. His diverse educational milestones shaped his role as both a practicing clinician and an internationally recognized academic leader.
Experience
Dr. Canty’s career spans clinical practice, teaching, research, and leadership. He has served as a specialist anaesthetist across leading hospitals in Australia and internationally, with expertise in adult cardiothoracic and paediatric anaesthesia. His appointments include Monash Health, Epworth Hospital, Cabrini Hospital, and earlier posts at the Royal Melbourne and Royal Hobart Hospitals. Alongside clinical excellence, he has established himself as a leading educator, founding and directing the Focused Ultrasound Simulation Education program. He developed innovative simulation-based courses and integrated ultrasound into the University of Melbourne’s medical curriculum, training doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and allied health professionals across Australasia and beyond. His academic appointments at the University of Melbourne and Monash University reflect his strong commitment to teaching and mentoring, including supervision of PhD candidates. With leadership roles in national and international anaesthesia and cardiovascular societies, he continues to bridge clinical service with research and education.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Canty’s outstanding contributions to clinical research, education, and innovation have earned him significant recognition nationally and internationally. He was awarded the prestigious MRFF grant to lead a large randomized controlled trial investigating outcomes of focused cardiac ultrasound, reflecting trust in his scientific leadership. His innovative course development at the University of Melbourne earned the Best New Award Course recognition for the Specialist Certificate in Clinical Ultrasound. He has won multiple prizes for oral presentations, including first place at the ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting and Melbourne Health Research Week, alongside recognition at major international congresses such as the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology. His research outputs have also achieved distinction, with one of his publications recognized as the most cited paper in the journal Anaesthesia. In addition, he serves on editorial boards and professional societies, underscoring the breadth of his influence and the esteem in which he is held.
Research Focus
Dr. Canty’s research focus is centered on advancing the role of point-of-care ultrasound in perioperative and critical care medicine. He pioneered studies on focused cardiac ultrasound and expanded its applications to lung, abdominal, and vascular imaging, significantly influencing patient diagnosis and management. His work evaluates the impact of ultrasound-guided approaches on surgical outcomes, particularly in cardiac surgery and elderly patients undergoing emergency procedures. He has also led the integration of artificial intelligence with ultrasound through collaborations with machine learning experts, aiming to enhance image interpretation and reduce reliance on operator skill. Alongside clinical applications, he has developed a strong stream of educational research, designing simulation-based and eLearning strategies to improve scalability and accessibility of training worldwide. His leadership in large randomized trials and global collaborations underscores his commitment to evidence-based innovation, positioning ultrasound as a transformative tool in modern healthcare.
Publications
Title: Transesophageal Echocardiography Multimedia Manual
Year: 2025
Title: Preoperative focused echocardiography on patients with fractured neck of femur. ECHONOF-III trial: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Year: 2025
Title: A Pilot Feasibility Study of teaching focused cardiac ultrasound to Australian medical students in a structured program
Year: 2025
Title: Video-Based CSwin Transformer Using Selective Filtering Technique for Interstitial Syndrome Detection
Year: 2025
Title: Convolutional Automatic Identification of B-lines and Interstitial Syndrome in Lung Ultrasound Images Using Pre-Trained Neural Networks with Feature Fusion
Year: 2024
Title: Automatic deep learning-based pleural effusion segmentation in lung ultrasound images
Year: 2023
Conclusion
Dr. David Canty exemplifies the modern clinician-scientist, seamlessly combining clinical excellence, innovative research, transformative education, and international leadership to advance the field of point-of-care ultrasound and improve patient care globally.