Larisa Haupt

Associate Professor Larisa Haupt is an Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), leading the Neurogenesis and Stem Cell Group within the Genomics Research Centre at the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI). She holds a PhD from Griffith University and specializes in stem cell biology, neurogenesis, and extracellular matrix research with a focus on proteoglycans. Her work explores mechanisms regulating neural and mesenchymal stem cell behavior in health and disease, including cancer and Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Haupt’s research uses advanced models like 3D cultures, human embryonic stem cells, and patient-derived iPSCs to study lineage specification and tumorigenicity. She has secured over $3.5M in grants and published 70+ manuscripts. Key collaborations span molecular genetics, biomaterials, and breast cancer research. Her team investigates heparan sulfate proteoglycans’ roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and disease pathways.

Professionally, she has held roles including Program Leader at Griffith University and Senior Research Fellow at A*STAR. She actively contributes to professional societies like the Human Genetics Society of Australasia and the Matrix Biology Society. Her research intersects cell biology, genetics, and translational medicine, with implications for regenerative therapies and disease understanding.

Her recent publications highlight studies on microbiome profiling, skeletal muscle epigenetics, and Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms beyond amyloid-beta and tau. She also applies genomic techniques to forensic identification of historical remains and pain management genetics.