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Prof. Paul Stupple is a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Monash University, Australia, with over 20 years' experience in pharmaceutical industry and academia. He holds leadership roles at Canthera Discovery and manages the Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility. His expertise lies in small molecule drug discovery, particularly targeting cancer therapies and epigenetic regulators. Affiliations: Monash University, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Canthera Discovery (Director, Medicinal Chemistry) Education: BA and DPhil in Chemistry from the University of Oxford (1992–1999). Early career at Pfizer as a medicinal chemistry leader, delivering 6 clinical candidates. Key contributions include: Licensing deals with Merck (2016) and Pfizer (2018) for preclinical projects Leading the Cancer Therapeutics CRC's medicinal chemistry program Research Interests: Small molecule drug discovery focused on histone acetyltransferase inhibitors, cancer therapeutics, and epigenetic modulation. Notable projects include development of KAT6A/B inhibitors for ER+ breast cancer and STING agonists for immunotherapy. Grants/Projects: Principal Investigator for major initiatives like MedChem Australia (2023–2028) and drug target identification platforms. Collaborates widely with institutions like WEHI and University of Sydney. Over 28 peer-reviewed publications spanning 1997–2025. Labs/Teams: Oversees the Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility, a key resource for drug discovery in Australia.

• Small Molecule Drug Discovery
• Cancer Therapeutics
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• +3 more

Dr. Kazuhide Shaun Okuda is a Senior Lecturer and Group Leader at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry at La Trobe University, Australia. He also holds honorary positions at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the University of Melbourne. With extensive experience in zebrafish research and vascular biology, Dr. Okuda has established himself as an expert in lymphatic development, disease modeling, and drug discovery. Dr. Okuda earned his PhD in Molecular Medicine from the University of Auckland, New Zealand (2010-2014), where he generated groundbreaking zebrafish transgenic lines for lymphatic vessel imaging. His subsequent postdoctoral work at Cancer Research Malaysia and the University of Queensland/Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre focused on anti-cancer therapeutics screening and dynamic signaling events during development and regeneration. His research focuses on understanding lymphoedema mechanisms, identifying therapies that modulate vascular growth, and elucidating dynamic mechanisms of vascular development and disease progression. Dr. Okuda's work has significant potential impact in developing new treatments for lymphoedema and diseases with excessive vascular growth such as cancer and lymphatic malformations. Analysis of Dr. Okuda's publication record shows a consistent focus on vascular and lymphatic development using zebrafish models. His most recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates an expansion into drug delivery systems, advanced imaging techniques, and single-cell analysis approaches while maintaining his core interest in lymphangiogenesis mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Dr. Okuda has received significant research funding, including a National Health and Medical Research Council Ideas Grant (2024-2027) for his project on 'Cellular signalling and growth control in vascular development and lymphatic malformations.' Primary supervisor of PhD students (X4), La Trobe University (2023-present) Co-supervisor of PhD students (X3), University of Melbourne (2020-present) Co-supervisor of a PhD student, La Trobe University (2023-present) Senior Lecturer and Group Leader, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (2023-present) Honorary Scientist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (2023-present) Honorary Fellow, University of Melbourne (2020-present) Dr. Okuda leads a research group at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science focused on identifying therapeutic leads/targets that modulate the vasculature and studying dynamic signaling mechanisms in endothelial cells using zebrafish models. His team has made significant contributions to understanding lymphatic development, including the identification of Ddx21 and ribosome biogenesis as novel regulators of embryonic lymphangiogenesis.

• Zebrafish Research
• Vascular Biology
• Lymphatic Development
• +3 more

Pengyi Yang is an Associate Professor and University of Sydney Robinson Fellow at the School of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Sydney. He leads the Computational Systems Biology group at the Charles Perkins Centre and holds a conjoint appointment as Unit Head of Computational Systems Biology at the Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI). His research focuses on computational approaches to understand trans-regulatory networks in stem cells and their applications in regenerative medicine. Yang holds a Ph.D. and has been recognized with awards such as the National Stem Cell Foundation Metcalf Prize (2021). His research spans computational systems biology, machine learning for bioinformatics, and spatial/single-cell omics analysis. Key projects include modeling pluripotency transitions, developing stem cell-derived organoids, and creating computational tools for phosphoproteomics and multi-omics integration. Collaborations include international initiatives like the Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health (InnoHK). Yang advises multiple PhD students and leads grants on topics like stem cell-derived brain organoids and embryonic development modeling. His lab develops tools like Cepo, PhosR, and CiteFuse for omics data analysis. He teaches data science and molecular systems biology at the University of Sydney.

• Computational Systems Biology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Bioinformatics
• +4 more

Dr Stewart Masson is a Research Fellow at the Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, within the Faculty of Science. His research focuses on the genetics of metabolic disease and insulin resistance, with a particular interest in the etiology of insulin resistance and intracellular trafficking mechanisms. He holds a PhD from the University of Auckland (2021), where he studied insulin signaling and β-catenin's role in skeletal muscle glucose transport under Prof. Peter Shepherd and Assoc. Prof. Troy Merry. His work now investigates genetic influences on metabolic health and aging in collaboration with Prof. David James' lab. Research Interests: Genetic determinants of metabolic disorders Insulin resistance mechanisms Cellular trafficking in metabolism Genetic diversity in metabolic responses Publications highlight advancements in understanding insulin signaling pathways, lipid metabolism, and the development of tools like Synteny for gene prioritization. His studies leverage mouse models to explore diet-related metabolic changes and identify therapeutic targets. Advising and Grants: While no students are listed, his research has been supported by projects investigating genetic and dietary influences on metabolic health. Collaborative efforts with the James Lab focus on metabolic cybernetics and systems biology approaches. Labs/Teams: Active member of the James Lab at the Charles Perkins Centre, contributing to the Metabolic Cybernetics research group.

• Metabolic Disease Genetics
• Insulin Resistance
• Cellular Trafficking Mechanisms
• +3 more

Tony Tiganis is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Monash University, where he also serves as Laboratory Head and leads the Metabolism, Diabetes and Obesity Program at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. He holds a joint appointment as Laboratory Head at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and is an Adjunct Professor at Yale School of Medicine. His multidisciplinary research focuses on protein-tyrosine-phosphatases (PTPs) and their roles in metabolism, cancer, and immunity. Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Melbourne (1990–1994) B.Sc. (Hons) in Pharmacology, University of Melbourne (1986–1989) Professor Tiganis’s research centers on tyrosine-phosphorylation-dependent signaling, with a focus on PTPs. His work has challenged long-standing misconceptions about PTPs being 'undruggable' and has revealed their critical roles in obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and immune regulation. His lab has made seminal contributions to understanding redox balance in metabolic health, T cell tolerance mechanisms, and central control of energy balance. These discoveries have significant translational potential, including intranasal therapies for obesity and genetically engineered CAR T cells for solid tumors. His recent publications span high-impact journals such as Journal of Clinical Investigation , Nature Communications , and Cell Metabolism , highlighting trends in redox signaling, immunometabolism, and therapeutic targeting of PTPs in cancer and metabolic disease. His work is frequently cited and has garnered attention from news outlets, social media, and the pharmaceutical industry. Melbourne University Postgraduate Scholarship (1990) C.J. Martin Fellowship, NHMRC (1995) AMRAD Post-Doctoral Award (1998) St. Vincent’s Hospital Research Week, Senior Investigator Prize (1999) Deans Award in Excellence in Research (2009) NHMRC Principal Research Fellowships (2010–2015, 2016–2020) Tony Tiganis actively supervises PhD students and leads multiple research projects funded by the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Cancer Council Victoria. He serves as an editor for FEBS Journal , Molecular & Cellular Biology , and Science Advances . His lab operates the Monash Metabolic Phenotyping Facility and collaborates with clinicians and chemists on translational programs. He is also a Scientific Advisory Board Member at DepYmed Inc. and a Consultant for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. He leads a multidisciplinary team exploring the intersection of metabolism, immunity, and cancer, with ongoing projects investigating the impact of obesity on anti-tumor immunity and phosphatase roles in cancer pathogenesis.

• Cell Signalling
• Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases (PTPs)
• Obesity
• +12 more

Dr Fernanda Cardoso is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland. She holds dual Brazilian-Australian citizenship and specializes in venom peptide-based biodiscovery and therapeutics development for neurological disorders such as chronic pain, motor neuron disease (MND), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Her interdisciplinary expertise spans neuropharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery. Education: Bachelor's, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) MSc in Molecular Pharmacology, UFMG PhD in Biochemistry and Immunology, UFMG Research Interests: Mechanisms and therapies for chronic pain/visceral pain/IBS Neurodegeneration pathophysiology and drug development Venom pharmacology of spiders, cone snails, and snakes Structure-function relationships of venom peptides Voltage-gated ion channel modulation Grants & Projects: Current: Peptide Inhibitors Targeting Sodium Channels (2023-2026) Past: Multifunctional analgesic inhibitors (2020-2023), IBS pain therapies (2018-2019) Supervision: Recently advised 14 students on projects including ALS therapies, venom peptide characterization, and ion channel modulation. Current openings focus on venom bioactives and neurological disorder treatments. Achievements: Pioneered venom-based ion channel modulator discovery, identified neuroprotective venom peptides, and developed a schistosomiasis vaccine candidate. Her work bridges basic research with clinical applications for global health challenges.

• Venom peptide-based biodiscovery
• Therapeutics development for neurological disorders
• Ion channel modulators
• +6 more

Dr. Laura Leighton is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the mRNA Sciences group at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on RNA biology, particularly the functional characterization of RNA molecules and their roles in cancer therapy and neurological processes. She leads the development of mRNA-based therapeutics for liver cancer, leveraging lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems to target intracellular cancer proteins. Dr. Leighton holds a PhD from the Queensland Brain Institute (2021), where her work, supported by the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship, explored small noncoding RNAs in fear-related learning and memory. She completed her postdoctoral training under Dr. Seth Cheetham at AIBN in 2023. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science (Honours) from The University of Queensland. Her research interests integrate molecular biology, neuroscience, and translational medicine, with a focus on RNA modifications (e.g., m6A), long noncoding RNAs, and the epigenetic regulation of memory processes. Key themes in her work include fear extinction mechanisms, synaptic plasticity, and the application of mRNA therapeutics in cancer treatment. Dr. Leighton’s articles consistently explore RNA-driven mechanisms in memory and disease. Recent work highlights the role of DNA G-quadruplex structures in memory regulation, the interplay between stress hormones and sperm RNA dysregulation, and the synthesis of novel long noncoding RNAs (e.g., ADRAM) that drive fear extinction. Her findings bridge basic neuroscience and clinical applications, emphasizing RNA’s dynamic role in health and disease. Awards: Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship (2017) Grants: TdC Mid Career Grant (Targeting liver cancer with mRNA therapies), Prader Willi Syndrome Research Grant (2022–2024) She is actively involved in supervising research students and contributes to the development of advanced drug delivery systems targeting liver cancers. Her lab is part of AIBN’s mRNA Sciences team, collaborating on projects that translate RNA-based discoveries into clinical solutions.

• RNA Biology
• mRNA Therapeutics
• Gene Therapy
• +3 more

Dr Helena Qin is a Senior Research Fellow at Monash University's Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (Drug Discovery Biology Theme) and holds adjunct roles at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and the University of Melbourne. She leads the National Heart Foundation Future Fellow laboratory, focusing on developing novel therapies for cardiovascular diseases through translational pharmacology and GPCR biology. Educated at the University of Melbourne, she earned a B.Biomed, PhD in Pharmacology, and First Class Honours in Medicinal Chemistry. Her research emphasizes formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) and their role in inflammation resolution, with nearly 40 publications in top journals. Key achievements include identifying FPRs' therapeutic potential against cardiovascular diseases and pioneering biased agonist drug design. Awarded prestigious fellowships (National Heart Foundation, JDRF, Baker Institute), her work addresses UN SDG 3 (Good Health) and 9 (Industry/Innovation). Major grants include NHMRC, National Heart Foundation, and Diabetes Australia funding. She actively mentors students and leads projects on GPCR-targeted therapeutics and pro-resolving medicines for cardiovascular and diabetic vascular conditions.

• Translational Pharmacology
• Cardiovascular Disease
• GPCR Biology
• +3 more

Bradley Doak is a Senior Lecturer in Medicinal Chemistry at Monash University, affiliated with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He leads research in fragment-based drug design, focusing on antibacterial targets and protein inhibitors. His work contributes to sustainable development goals related to health and innovation. Research Interests: Doak specializes in fragment-based approaches for drug discovery, particularly targeting bacterial enzymes like DsbA. His lab employs NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography to study ligand binding and design covalent modifiers. He also explores drug discovery principles beyond the Rule of 5 to expand bioavailable drug candidates. Recent Article Trends: His publications (2020–2025) emphasize antibacterial agent development, protein-ligand interactions, and methodological advances in fragment screening. Key areas include novel DsbA inhibitors and structural studies of fatty acid-binding proteins. Equipment Management: He co-manages the Monash Fragment Platform, a facility supporting drug discovery through advanced screening technologies.

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Fragment-Based Drug Design
• Antibacterial Agents
• +3 more

Dr. Jerran Santos is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and holds an Honorary Professorship in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering at the University of Toulouse. He leads the Advanced Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Biology Group at UTS and is an active consultant for the TGA. His research focuses on regenerative and precision medicine, utilizing stem cells and biomaterials to develop translational clinical applications. Key projects address neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., Osteoarthritis), and advanced biomaterials for 3D bioprinting. Dr. Santos has secured over $5 million in research funding and maintains international collaborations. His expertise spans stem cell biology, systems biology, and bioengineering. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to book chapters, emphasizing molecular mechanisms in cell differentiation, biomaterial design, and immunotherapy applications. Education: PhD (Macquarie University, 2013), Bachelor of Biotechnology (UTS, 2007) Positions: Biotechnology Course Coordinator (UTS), Stem Cell Futures Fellow (UTS), Visiting Scholar (Cedars-Sinai) Research Themes: Stem cell differentiation, 3D bioprinting, proteomics, and immunomodulatory therapies Scientific achievements include developing patient-specific cell models for degenerative diseases and identifying key molecular pathways in disease progression. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Health), 9 (Infrastructure), and 17 (Partnerships).

• Regenerative Medicine
• Stem Cell Biology
• Biomaterials
• +5 more

Andrew White is a Research Fellow at the Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University (ANU), where he has worked since 2021 after completing his PhD at The University of Queensland. His research focuses on developing innovative synthetic methodologies for complex peptides with applications spanning medicinal chemistry, agriculture, and biotechnology, particularly in antimalarial drug development and targeted delivery systems. His academic qualifications include: PhD in Chemistry, The University of Queensland (2020) Bachelor of Marine Studies (Honours) Dr. White's research program centers on peptide synthesis, structure-function relationships, and therapeutic applications. He specializes in disulfide-rich peptides, cyclotides, and cell-penetrating peptides, with significant contributions to antimalarial agent development and protein modification techniques. His work bridges chemical synthesis with biological applications, emphasizing translational potential in drug discovery and agricultural biotechnology. Recent publications (2022-2024) reveal a strong trajectory in peptide engineering, featuring novel umpolung strategies for protein functionalization, synthesis of bioactive peptide conjugates for malaria treatment, and exploration of marine-derived peptide structures. These works demonstrate his interdisciplinary approach combining organic chemistry, chemical biology, and pharmacology to solve complex biomedical challenges. No scientific awards were documented in the available information. Dr. White is registered to supervise research students and collaborates within Professor Lara Malins' research group. While specific grant details weren't provided, his publication record indicates active research funding supporting peptide chemistry innovation. His work shows increasing impact with over 600 citations and an h-index of 14. He operates within Professor Lara Malins' research team at ANU's Research School of Chemistry, contributing to collaborative projects focused on peptide-based drug discovery, structural analysis of bioactive peptides, and development of novel synthetic methodologies for complex biomolecules.

• Peptide Synthesis
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Chemical Biology
• +5 more

Professor Kate Stacey holds dual roles as Director of Research and Professor within the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at The University of Queensland, Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on innate immune cell activation by pathogen products, particularly mechanisms of DNA recognition and inflammasome signaling. She completed her PhD at UQ on macrophage transcriptional regulation and held a CJ Martin Fellowship at the University of Cambridge before returning to UQ in 1996. She was awarded an ARC Future Fellowship in 2009. Education: Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland Her research interests include: - Recognition of foreign DNA via TLR9, AIM2, and cGAS pathways - Inflammasome-induced cell death mechanisms (caspase-1/pyroptosis and caspase-8 apoptosis) - Autoimmunity in lupus through dysregulated innate immune responses - Evolutionary conservation of DNA defense mechanisms across species Recent work highlights structural biology insights into TLR signaling complexes and inflammasome activation pathways, with implications for viral infections like dengue and SARS-CoV-2. Key findings include dual death pathways activated by inflammasomes and novel therapeutic approaches targeting TLR4 signaling. Awards: ARC Future Fellowship (2009), NHMRC Research Fellowship (2014–2019), multiple NHMRC Project Grants. Supervision: Active advisor for PhD students researching TLR signaling, dengue pathogenesis, and evolutionary immune mechanisms. Has supervised over 20 completed theses since 2003.

• Innate Immunity
• Inflammasome Signaling
• Autoimmunity Mechanisms
• +3 more

Van Thai is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Western Australia's Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases, affiliated with the School of Biomedical Sciences' Microbiology and Immunology department. He holds a PhD in Medicine-Biological Sciences (UWA, 2024) and has industry experience at Rohto-Mentholatum (Vietnam). His research focuses on developing pharmaceutical solutions for bacterial infections, particularly multi-drug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. He has contributed to projects like the 'Highly multiplexed real-time PCR capacity for biomedical research' grant (2024). Education Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine-Biological Sciences), University of Western Australia (2024) Master of Science (Biotechnology), International University, Vietnam National University (2017) Bachelor of Engineering (Biotechnology), International University, Vietnam National University (2013) Research Interests Van's work addresses antimicrobial resistance and infectious disease prevention. He investigates novel therapeutics targeting bacterial pathogens like Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Staphylococcus aureus. Key areas include drug discovery, vaccine development, and understanding resistance mechanisms through genomic and proteomic analysis. Grants & Awards Recipient of multiple scholarships/funds: University Postgraduate Awards (2020), Shellam Fund (2023), New Investigator Award (2024) Contributor to the UWA PCR capacity grant Labs/Teams Active in the Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases, collaborating with institutions on antimicrobial resistance research.

• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Infectious Disease Prevention
• Microbiology
• +3 more

Associate Professor David Anthony Jacques leads the Structural Virology Group at the EMBL Australia Node for Single Molecule Science, UNSW Sydney. He holds a PhD from the University of Sydney and completed postdoctoral research at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge. His work focuses on structural biology of HIV and other viruses, employing techniques like X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and single-molecule fluorescence. Key research areas include HIV capsid structure-function relationships, host-pathogen interactions, and viral immune evasion mechanisms. Education: PhD in Biochemistry, University of Sydney (supervised by Professors Jill Trewhella and Mitchell Guss) BSc (Advanced) (Hons) in Biochemistry and Chemistry Research Interests: Structural basis of viral infection, HIV capsid dynamics, nuclear transport mechanisms, and development of antiviral strategies. His studies reveal how HIV exploits host machinery for replication and how viral proteins interact with cellular cofactors like nucleoporins and innate immune sensors. Grants & Awards: NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (2012-2017) Wellcome Trust Collaborator Award (2019-2024) ARC Discovery Project (DP180101384) Advising & Labs: Supervises Honours, Masters, and PhD students in virology and structural biology. Leads the Structural Virology Group with expertise in advanced microscopy and biophysical techniques. Collaborates on the X-ray Facility for Protein Crystallography funded under ARC LE190100165.

• Structural Biology
• Virology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• +3 more

John Hooper is a prominent researcher in cancer molecular biology, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and the School of Biomedical Sciences at Queensland University of Technology. His work centers on the role of proteases, particularly serine proteases and CDCP1, in cancer progression and therapy. With a publication record spanning over two decades, he has contributed significantly to understanding proteolytic signaling in ovarian, prostate, and colorectal cancers. His research interests include Cancer Biology, Protease Signaling, CDCP1, Kallikrein-Related Peptidases, and Targeted Cancer Therapy . He has extensively studied how proteases like KLKs and membrane serine proteases regulate cell signaling via PARs and contribute to tumor dissemination. A major focus has been on CDCP1, a cell surface glycoprotein that promotes metastasis and is now being explored as a therapeutic and imaging target. The recent publications (2020–2025) demonstrate a strong trend toward translational research, including the development of anti-CDCP1 immuno-conjugates, imaging tracers, and metabolic targeting in ovarian and breast cancers. His work increasingly integrates preclinical models, molecular imaging, and combination therapies to overcome drug resistance. John Hooper has collaborated with leading researchers in oncology and molecular biology. While no formal awards are listed, his work has been published in high-impact journals such as Oncogene , Clinical Cancer Research , and Theranostics . He has contributed to major collaborative projects, including the PRACTICAL consortium on prostate cancer genetics. He has mentored or collaborated with numerous researchers, though specific students are not listed. His lab or research group appears to focus on protease biology and cancer signaling pathways, often using biochemical, cellular, and in vivo models to validate therapeutic targets.

• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Oncology
• Protease Biology
• +9 more