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James BlackburnView profile

Researcher

• Genomics
• Transcriptomics
• Cancer genetics
• +3 more

Dr. James Blackburn is a senior researcher affiliated with UNSW Sydney and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. As Head of the Garvan Genomics Platform, he oversees genomic sequencing, single-cell and spatial technologies, and flow cytometry services. With 23 years of expertise in genomics, transcriptomics, cancer genetics, and molecular genetics, he has developed two cancer diagnostics and a precision protocol for protein-DNA interaction analysis (ChIP-CapSeq). Education: PhD in Human Molecular Genetics from University of London (Imperial College), 2004; BSc (Hons) in Genetics from University of Manchester, 2000. Research Focus: Cancer diagnostics, fusion gene detection, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications. Grants: Multiple grants including MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission Grant (2022-2027) and NHMRC Project Grants (2016-2020). Teaching: Provides lectures and exam questions for undergraduate students at UNSW. Contact: Located at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 370 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010.

Andrew BarbourView profile

Professor

• Surgical Oncology
• Cancer Genomics
• Translational Research
• +3 more

Professor Andrew Barbour is an academic general surgeon and translational researcher at The University of Queensland , specifically affiliated with the School of Medicine under the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences . He specializes in upper gastrointestinal, pancreatic, melanoma, and sarcoma surgery , with expertise in robotic and laparoscopic procedures for conditions like oesophageal cancer and soft tissue tumours. Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons His research integrates genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic data to advance precision medicine in cancer , focusing on biomarker discovery for therapy response and recurrence prediction. Key contributions include the DOCTOR trial (first PET-guided personalized therapy for oesophageal cancer) and the GAP Trial (establishing preoperative chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer). Recent publications emphasize spatial transcriptomics for thin melanoma mortality prediction, multi-omic profiling of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and radiomics for immune signature analysis in melanoma. His work also explores small extracellular vesicle heterogeneity and genomic catastrophes as drivers in cancer. Queensland Advancing Clinical Research Fellowship for melanoma recurrence prediction Key roles in NHMRC-funded trials and MRFF MASTERPLAN trial As Chair of the AGITG Upper GI working party , he leads national cancer research initiatives. His Surgical Oncology Lab at TRI operates the Cancer Evolution Biobank , linking tumour biology with clinical outcomes.

• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Proteomics
• +5 more

Eleanor Drummond is a Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience at the School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, and holds a Bluesand Senior Research Fellowship at the Brain and Mind Centre. She is also a member of the Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation. Her research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Epilepsy, and Down syndrome, using proteomics and neuropathology approaches to identify protein drivers and therapeutic targets. She received her PhD from the University of Western Australia in 2012 and held postdoctoral roles at Murdoch University and New York University School of Medicine, where she was an Assistant Professor of Neurology until 2018. Her education includes a PhD in Neuroscience and prior academic training at the University of Western Australia. She has developed novel proteomics techniques to analyze proteins in neuropathological lesions like amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Eleanor’s work emphasizes translating proteomic discoveries into drug targets and biomarkers for clinical applications. In research, she explores protein mislocalization, tau interactions (e.g., with APOEε4), and the mechanistic roles of newly identified proteins in disease progression. Key themes include Alzheimer’s pathogenesis, tauopathies, and cross-disease proteomic patterns. Her recent grants include funding from the Alzheimer’s Association (AARG), Brain & Mind Centre, and the National Institutes of Health (USA). Eleanor has received multiple awards, including the Blas Frangione Early Career Achievement Award (2021), and actively mentors PhD, Master’s, and Honours students. Her international collaborations include work with New York University School of Medicine and institutions in the USA, focusing on therapeutic vaccines and conformational antibodies.

Gonzalo del Monte NietoView profile

Research Fellow

• Developmental Biology
• Cardiovascular Development
• Congenital Heart Disease
• +3 more

Dr Gonzalo del Monte Nieto is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) and Victorian Heart Institute (VHI) at Monash University. His research focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms and developmental processes in heart development, with applications to congenital heart disease and cardiac regeneration. He holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from the Autonomous University of Madrid (2011) and has held academic positions including Con-joint Senior Lecturer at UNSW (2015–2018) and postdoctoral roles at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (2011–2018). Education : PhD in Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Madrid (2011) Masters in Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Madrid (2007) Bachelor of Biology, Autonomous University of Madrid (2005) Research Interests : Dr del Monte Nieto's work integrates developmental biology with clinical applications, particularly in congenital heart disease and regenerative medicine. Key areas include: Notch signaling pathways in cardiac development ECM dynamics and cardiac trabeculation Computational modeling of heart development Organ-on-chip technologies for cardiac research Grants & Projects : 2024: Company of Biologist Conference Grant (Chief Investigator) 2021: NHMRC Project Grant on Endocardial Sprouting (Chief Investigator) 2019: National Heart Foundation Grant on Cardiac Development Models (Primary Investigator) Labs & Teams : He leads a team focused on cardiac regeneration and developmental biology at ARMI. Collaborations include projects with Prof Richard Harvey’s lab and international institutions.

• Osteoarthritis Therapeutics
• Synovial Inflammation
• Obesity-Induced Joint Degeneration
• +3 more

Dr Antonia Sun is a Researcher at the Centre for Biomedical Technologies (CBT), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), affiliated with the School of Mechanical, Medical & Process Engineering under the Faculty of Engineering. She holds a PhD from QUT and specializes in developing novel therapeutics for osteoarthritis (OA), focusing on the obesity-joint degeneration link and synovial inflammation modulation. Her research integrates biomedical engineering, cellular therapy, spatial transcriptomics, microfluidic models, and advanced imaging techniques to address OA pathogenesis. Recent work includes investigating iron overload effects on joints, oxygen-controlled microfluidic systems, and extracellular vesicle therapies. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, such as augmented reality in surgery, lipid metabolic pathways, and biomaterials for osteonecrosis. Collaborations span orthopedics, materials science, and computational biology. No awards are explicitly listed, though her high publication output (over 30 articles since 2016) indicates significant contributions. As an associate supervisor in PhD projects (e.g., spatial proteomics in OA), she mentors students in translational research. Her lab’s work is foundational for bridging bench-to-bedside solutions in musculoskeletal disorders.

Jessica MarView profile

Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Single-cell Biology
• Stem Cell Biology
• +3 more

Professor Jessica Mar is a Professorial Research Fellow at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at the University of Queensland. Her research focuses on developing bioinformatics methods to understand regulatory processes in human diseases, particularly leveraging single-cell RNA-sequencing to analyze cellular heterogeneity in contexts like cancer, aging, and stem cell biology. Key areas include modeling gene expression variability, analyzing transcriptomic data, and developing statistical frameworks for omics integration. She has led projects funded by grants such as the Georgina Sweet Award and ARC Future Fellowships. Her work spans computational approaches to cancer heterogeneity, senescence mechanisms in stem cells, and the impact of senolytic therapies on aging. Recent studies include applications of single-cell technologies to brain organoids and breast cancer metastasis. Awards include recognition for contributions to quantitative biomedical science and stem cell research. She collaborates widely, mentoring students in computational biology, stem cell biology, and systems biology. Publications highlight her contributions to understanding tumor heterogeneity, epigenetic dynamics, and the interplay between mechanics and cell reprogramming. Her lab’s work integrates machine learning with experimental biology, addressing challenges in data analysis for single-cell and spatial omics. Current projects include biomarker discovery for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and developing optimal transport models for cancer progression analysis.

Gabrielle BelzView profile

Professor

• Immunology
• Cellular immunology
• Mucosal immunity
• +4 more

Professor Gabrielle Belz is an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow at The University of Queensland's Frazer Institute within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. She holds a PhD and multiple advanced degrees in veterinary science and immunology. Her research focuses on understanding protective immunity, cellular differentiation, and innate immune cell development, particularly in mucosal defenses against pathogens like influenza and herpesviruses. Belz pioneered systems for tracking virus-specific T cells and identified critical roles for CD4 T cell help in antiviral responses. Her work integrates multiparameter flow cytometry, systems biology, and in vivo models to study immune pathways in health and disease. Education: Bachelor of Veterinary Biology, The University of Queensland Bachelor (Honours) of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland Doctoral Diploma, The University of Queensland Research Interests: Mechanisms of protective immunity against respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens Role of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and T cells in mucosal immunity Immune responses to chronic infections and tumours Epithelial- immune cell cross-talk in barrier integrity Spatial biology and multi-omics approaches to study immune landscapes Awards & Honours: Arc Laureate Fellowship (2024) Gottschalk Medal (Australian Academy of Science) Wellcome Trust Overseas Fellowship HHMI International Research Scholar Award NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Fellowship Grants & Funding: ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships (2025-2029) NHMRC MRFF grants for lung cancer and immunotherapy research Cure Cancer Early Career Research Grants (2024-2026) Her laboratory actively supervises PhD candidates exploring mucosal immunity, vaccine development, and innate immune cell metabolism. Belz collaborates widely, leveraging cutting-edge platforms like spatial multi-omics to advance translational immunology.

Reza ArghaView profile

Lecturer

• Biomedical Engineering
• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• +5 more

Dr. Reza Argha is a Lecturer at the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney. His research focuses on AI-driven biomedical signal processing, machine learning, and digital health. He holds a PhD from UTS (2017), with earlier degrees from Shiraz University, Iran. His work includes developing algorithms for fall detection, blood pressure estimation, and ECG-based cardiovascular diagnostics. Education: BSc and MSc in Electrical Engineering, Shiraz University (Iran) PhD in Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (2017) Research Interests: AI in healthcare, biomedical signal/image processing, telehealth systems, fall detection using mmWave radar, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, and arrhythmia detection via ECG. Grants & Awards: ARC Research Hub for Connected Sensors for Health ($5M) ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hubs Multiple CVMM Collaborative Grants (2023-2024) Awarded 2017 UTS Chancellor’s Best PhD Thesis UTS FEIT Research Publication Awards (2014-2015) Teaching & Supervision: Teaches Biological Signal Analysis (BIOM9621) and Engineering Projects (ENGG2600). Supervises 6 current PhD students, with 1 successful completion. Seeks new students in digital health, AI clinical decision support, and radar-based fall prediction. Labs & Projects: Leads projects in mmWave radar for unobtrusive elderly monitoring, AI for blood pressure estimation, and deep learning for medical image analysis. Collaborates with industry partners on translational health tech solutions.

• Plant Molecular Genetics
• Plant Pathology
• Crop Genetics
• +4 more

Dr. Sambasivam Periyannan is an Associate Professor at the School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland , where he has been employed since 2022. Prior to this, he held roles at CSIRO (2011-2021) and completed an ARC DECRA Fellowship at the Australian National University (2017-2019). Education: PhD in Plant Molecular Genetics from the University of Sydney (2011) His research focuses on plant molecular genetics and pathology , particularly in cereal crops. Key areas include crop genetics , biotechnology , rust resistance , and disease management . Recent work involves leveraging genetic resources like the Vavilov and Watkins wheat collections for disease resistance breeding. Recent publications highlight genomic approaches to rust resistance in wheat, biocontrol mechanisms against fungal pathogens, and machine learning applications for disease detection. These span disciplines including plant genetics, microbiology, and agricultural biotechnology. Scientific Awards: 2024 China Academy of Science Visiting Fellowship He supervises doctoral students in projects such as characterization of novel resistance genes and spatial disease modeling , supported by grants like the ARC Discovery Project and Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration initiative. He also serves as a senior/associate editor for journals including Plant Disease and BMC Biology .

Paul CohenView profile

Clinical Professor

• Gynaecological Cancers
• Ovarian Cancer
• Chemotherapy Resistance
• +4 more

Paul Cohen is a Clinical Professor in the Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the UWA Medical School, The University of Western Australia. He is also a Consultant at The Western Australian Gynaecological Cancer Service and a Clinical Research Fellow at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. His academic roles include editorial board memberships for International Journal of Gynecological Cancer and Scientific Reports . Education : Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of Auckland (2010), thesis: The Role of Oestrogen Receptor Beta in Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumours BM BCh (Medicine), MA (Physiological Sciences), BA (Physiological Sciences), University of Oxford (1997–2001) Research Interests : Cohen’s work focuses on chemotherapy resistance in high-grade serous tubo-ovarian cancer, clinical trial design, and improving patient outcomes through innovations like the pathological chemotherapy response score (CRS). He leads national and international trials, including the Getting the MOST out of follow-up randomized controlled trial, and investigates genetic susceptibility (e.g., HELB gene in ovarian cancer). Recent Article Trends : His 2024–2025 publications emphasize genetic epidemiology, clinical trial implementation, and precision oncology, with contributions to understanding HPV-associated cancers and spatial transcriptomics in tumor microenvironments. Awards : 2024: UWA Medical School Excellence in Research (Mid-Career) 2022: UWA Excellence in Teaching Award 2021: Top Reviewer, International Journal of Gynecological Cancer Advising & Grants : Supervised 4 PhD, 3 MSc, and 3 MD students Principal Investigator for grants totaling over AUD 10M from MRFF, ANZGOG, and Cancer Research Trust Labs/Teams : Collaborates with ANZGOG, OTTA Consortium, and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. Leads the OVARIAN study and ADELE trial on endometrial cancer treatments.

Jun YuView profile

Senior Lecturer

• MACRO-FINANCE
• ASSET PRICING

Dr. Jun Yu is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Finance at the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Business and Economics. His research focuses on MACRO-FINANCE and ASSET PRICING, contributing to financial market dynamics and investment strategies. He is affiliated with the Centre for Asian Business and Economics, exploring economic implications in regional contexts. His academic work demonstrates interdisciplinary engagement, with publications spanning biological and medical research areas such as proteomics, cell biology, and infectious disease mechanisms. These studies include investigations into lipid droplet interactions, neuronal differentiation, and bacterial pathogenesis. Awards and grants are not explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. Dr. Yu collaborates across disciplines, evident in his diverse publication portfolio. His research integrates quantitative methods with empirical analysis, addressing both financial and biomedical challenges.

• Statistical Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Spatial Transcriptomics
• +4 more

Dr. Shila Ghazanfar is an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow at the University of Sydney, Faculty of Science. She is an expert in statistical and computational analysis of spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-seq data, with a focus on developing bioinformatic approaches for integrating complex biological datasets across various omics modalities. Her educational background includes: Undergraduate studies in statistics and statistical bioinformatics at The University of Sydney PhD in statistics and statistical bioinformatics at The University of Sydney Royal Society Newton International Fellowship at The University of Cambridge under Dr. John Marioni in computational biology Dr. Ghazanfar's research interests center on developing statistical bioinformatic and biomedical data science approaches for meaningful integration of complex and high-dimensional biological datasets. Her multidisciplinary expertise spans statistics, statistical bioinformatics, and computational biology, enabling her to devise strategies to jointly model processes generating diverse data sources. Her work aligns with the University of Sydney Faculty of Science Research Strengths in Complex Systems, Precision and Digital Health, and Data and Decisions. Analysis of her recent publications (2021-2025) reveals strong focus areas including spatial transcriptomics infrastructure development, single-cell data integration methodologies, and applications in cancer research and cardiovascular biology. Key trends show progression from foundational method development to increasingly sophisticated multi-modal integration approaches, with significant emphasis on creating open-source computational tools for the research community. Her scientific recognition includes: Australian Research Council DECRA Fellowship Royal Society Newton International Fellowship Dr. Ghazanfar actively mentors research students, including Angel GUAN working on melanoma immunotherapy research. Her grant portfolio demonstrates substantial research support: 2023: Statistical Bioinformatics for Single Cell, Spatial and Multiomic Biotechnologies (Faculty of Science) 2022: Defining spatiotemporal mechanisms for peripheral nerve regeneration (Partnership Collaboration Award) 2022: Multiscale data integration for single cell spatial genomics (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) Australian Research Council DECRA for statistical approaches in spatial genomics As a member of the Charles Perkins Centre, Dr. Ghazanfar participates in interdisciplinary research addressing complex health challenges through computational biology approaches, with collaborations spanning multiple domains from basic science to clinical applications.

Veronica RadiceView profile

Research Fellow

• Coral Biology
• Marine Ecology
• Oceanography
• +3 more

Dr. Veronica Radice is a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland and a member of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. Her work focuses on coral physiology in relation to environmental conditions, particularly in mesophotic ecosystems, using biogeochemical techniques, genetics, and field experiments to study impacts of ocean warming and thermal stress on coral recovery from bleaching. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Johns Hopkins University, followed by research assistant and lab manager roles at Temple University. Research: Investigates coral trophic ecology, nutrient cycling, and gene expression under climate stress, with fieldwork in the Indo-Pacific and Maldives. Awards: XL Catlin Seaview Survey Ocean Scholar. Expertise: Mesophotic coral ecosystems, coral bleaching resilience, biogeochemistry, and oceanographic influences on reef productivity. Resources: Contributed to datasets and platforms like Mesophotic.org for coral reef research.

Tim ColmerView profile

Professor

• Plant Physiology
• Salinity and Flooding Tolerance
• Plant Adaptation to Environmental Stress
• +3 more

Tim Colmer is a Professor and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at The University of Western Australia, leading strategic initiatives across the UWA College of Schools. He previously held roles including Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, and Head of the School of Plant Biology. Colmer holds a PhD in Plant Biology (UC Davis, 1994) and a BSc. Agric. (UWA, 1990). His research focuses on plant adaptation to environmental stresses, particularly salinity and flooding, with emphasis on root physiology, anoxia tolerance, and crop improvement. He has led research teams supported by grants from ARC, GRDC, and international agencies. Colmer has supervised numerous postgraduate students and contributed to over 274 publications. He serves on editorial boards and national/international scientific committees. Key research themes include: oxygen dynamics in flooded roots, salt exclusion mechanisms in halophytes, and crop resilience strategies. His work aligns with UN SDG goals for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Current administrative roles include Board Member of Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and VenuesWest, alongside managing UWA’s academic portfolios.

• Chronic Pain Management
• Neurobiology
• Microfluidic Devices
• +5 more

Professor Rainer Viktor Haberberger is a prominent academic at the University of Adelaide, holding the Wood Jones Chair of Anatomy within the School of Biomedicine (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences). He leads the Pain & Pulmonary Neurobiology lab and oversees anatomy/histology teaching across health sciences and medical programs. Education: Human Biology (Medical Research) degree from Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany Senior scientist/lecturer at Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany (until 2005) Professor of Anatomy and Histology at Flinders University (2005–2021) Research Interests: Mapping human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cell types and spinal cord neurochemistry Developing neuron-on-chip microfluidic devices for chronic pain diagnosis Addressing translational gaps between animal and human pain research Collaborations in electron microscopy, transcriptomics, and lipidomics Key Achievements: Recipient of NHMRC Ideas Grant Over 100 peer-reviewed publications (h-index 40, 3000+ citations) Co-founded the Australian Pain Society’s Pain Research SIG Leadership in painSTAR training programs Labs/Teams: Pain & Pulmonary Neurobiology lab (UoA) Collaborations with UT Dallas, SAHMRI, and Adelaide Microscopy