Pirjo Apaja

Associate Professor Pirjo Apaja is a principal investigator at the Organelle Proteostasis Diseases laboratory within the Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Adelaide. She is affiliated with both the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology and the SA Health and Medical Research Institute.

• Research Focus: Investigating dysregulation of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) in human diseases, particularly through post-translational signaling and surveillance systems in inflammation-related conditions.
• Key Areas: Proteostasis networks, membrane organelle dynamics, post-translational modifications, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer biology.
• Methodologies: Integrative approaches combining screenings, omics technologies, protein networks, advanced light microscopy, and biochemical/cell biological techniques in disease models.

As a co-supervisor, she mentors Masters and PhD candidates in her research field.