Find Academic Supervisors

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Single-cell Genomics
• +3 more

Dr. Yue Cao is a post-doctoral researcher at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sydney, specializing in computational analysis of high-dimensional omics data with applications in precision medicine. Her work bridges bioinformatics, machine learning, and clinical research to advance single-cell multi-omics methodologies. Education: PhD in Bioinformatics, University of Sydney Dr. Cao's research focuses on developing computational frameworks for single-cell and spatial multi-omics data integration, simulation, and disease outcome prediction. She pioneers methods for handling high-dimensional biological datasets, with emphasis on reproducibility, benchmarking, and clinical translation in precision medicine. Her work addresses critical challenges in cell-type identification, data harmonization across samples/conditions, and phenotype prediction using multi-view learning approaches. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2019-2025) reveals consistent focus on single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, with expanding applications to spatial transcriptomics and multi-omics integration. Key methodological contributions include scMerge2 for data integration, scFeatures for multi-view representations, and benchmarking studies for simulation methods and clustering algorithms across diverse biological contexts from COVID-19 outcomes to kidney transplantation. Supervision: Cabiria LIANG: Multi-view learning of single cell and spatial data for phenotype prediction

• Bioinformatics
• Spatial Transcriptomics
• Computational Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Pratibha Panwar is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the School of Statistics and Mathematics, The University of Sydney, working under Dr. Shila Ghazanfar. She is also a member of the Charles Perkins Centre, with her office located in F07 - Carslaw Building. Her academic qualifications include: PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of New South Wales, supervised by Prof. Rick Cavicchioli Dr. Panwar's research spans computational biology and microbial ecology. She develops advanced bioinformatics methods for spatial transcriptomics data analysis, including spatial clustering algorithms and multi-omics integration techniques to study cell function in spatial contexts. Concurrently, she investigates microbial adaptation mechanisms in extreme environments, particularly Antarctic lakes, examining climate change impacts on microbial communities and survival strategies in cryospheric conditions. Her publication trends (2018-2025) reveal dual expertise: cutting-edge algorithm development for spatial transcriptomics (2023-2025) and foundational work on Antarctic microbial ecology (2018-2022). The bioinformatics research focuses on scalable dimensionality reduction and data integration challenges, while the microbial studies explore population structure, 'microbial dark matter', and seasonal dynamics in Ace Lake, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary synthesis. Scientific awards: No awards or fellowships were mentioned in the source material. Regarding academic supervision, Dr. Panwar currently has no available opportunities for student advising. No research grants or funding sources were specified in the provided information. She operates within Dr. Shila Ghazanfar's research group at the University of Sydney, leveraging the Charles Perkins Centre's interdisciplinary environment. Previously, she was integral to the Cavicchioli lab at UNSW, where she conducted deep investigations into Ace Lake's stratified microbial ecosystems, including viral interactions and functional potential of dominant species.

Quan NguyenView profile

Research Fellow

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• +7 more

Dr. Quan Nguyen is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience and affiliate of the School of Biomedical Sciences at The University of Queensland . As a National Health and Medical Research Council leadership fellow (EL2) , he leads the Genomics and Machine Learning (GML) Lab , specializing in single-cell spatial omics and machine learning for cancer and neuroinflammatory disease research. Education : PhD in Bioengineering (UQ, 2013), Postdoctoral Bioinformatics (RIKEN, 2015) Expertise : Integrating single-cell spatiotemporal data with population genomics to reconstruct gene regulatory networks and cell-cell interactions in situ. His research focuses on cancer ecosystems (melanoma, brain cancer) and neuroinflammation , using spatial transcriptomics and deep learning to uncover cell-type specific biomarkers for precision medicine . Key contributions include improving histological cancer diagnosis and identifying novel regulators of cell differentiation. His 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) span spatial omics in colorectal cancer , HPV-associated cervical neoplasia , neuroinflammation in aging, and machine learning methods for multi-omics integration . These works emphasize single-cell resolution , tissue context , and clinical translation . Scientific Awards : Australian Research Council DECRA fellowship (2019-2021) CSIRO OCE Research Fellowship (2016) IMB Fellow (2018) Predictive modeling tools for digital pathology in GigaScience (prize-winning) Supervision : Actively mentoring 10+ PhD students on topics like spatial diagnostics , cellular heterogeneity , and multi-omics data fusion . His lab develops open-source software and databases for single-cell analysis , supported by US Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs and National Health and Medical Research Council grants.

Nikolas HaassView profile

Professor

• Melanoma Cell Biology
• Experimental Melanoma Therapy
• Tumor Heterogeneity
• +3 more

Professor Nikolas Haass is a clinician-scientist at the Frazer Institute (University of Queensland) with expertise in melanoma cell biology and experimental therapy. His research focuses on dynamic tumor heterogeneity, combining real-time cell cycle imaging in 3D cultures and in vivo models with biochemical methods to study melanomagenesis and therapeutic targeting. University of Heidelberg (MD, Cell Biology PhD) University of Hamburg (Clinical Dermatology) Wistar Institute (Postdoc, 2003-2007) Centenary Institute/University of Sydney (Associate Faculty, 2007-2013) UQ Diamantina Institute (2013-2016 as Associate Professor, then promoted to Professor) His team has published 97 high-impact papers with >7500 citations, including landmark studies in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics , Cancer Research , and PNAS that were highlighted by Faculty 1000 Biology. Current grants include projects on tumor microenvironment modulation, endoplasmic reticulum stress induction, and melanoma brain metastasis therapy. He supervises multiple PhD students in areas including MITF-CDK4/6 interactions and 3D spheroid proteomics. His work bridges tumor-stroma interactions, immunogenic cell death, and advanced imaging technologies.

Wenna LeeView profile

Lecturer

• Tick-Borne Diseases
• Immunology
• Transcriptomics
• +3 more

Dr. Wenna Lee is an Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Australia. They also serve as a Research Officer at The Kids Research Institute Australia (Telethon Kids Institute), contributing to multidisciplinary research on tick-associated diseases and immune response mechanisms. Their research focuses on Tick-borne diseases Systems biology approaches Transcriptomics and proteomics in immunology Vaccine efficacy studies (e.g., BCG for herpes labialis) Recent work explores biomarker discovery, epigenetics, and spatial-temporal disease trajectories. Publications between 2025–2022 demonstrate expertise in integrating '-omics' methodologies for infectious disease analysis, with collaborations spanning institutions like EClinicalMedicine and Pathogens journal teams. Key trends involve cross-disciplinary studies of zoonotic pathogens and clinical immunology. Active in research networks, Dr. Lee collaborates with Telethon Kids Institute and works on Australian patient cohorts. Their ORCID is 0000-0003-0666-1590 .

• Cardiology
• Translational Medicine
• Proteomics
• +5 more

Dr. Benjamin Hunter is a Lecturer in Education at the School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney. His work focuses on cardiovascular research with a particular emphasis on heart failure mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. University: University of Sydney School: School of Medical Sciences Affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Research Interests: Dr. Hunter's research spans proteomic/metabolomic profiling of cardiomyopathies, NAD+ therapy in heart failure, ventricle-specific myocardial regulation, and precision medicine applications in cardiovascular disease. Heart failure pathogenesis Multi-omics analysis Metabolic therapy Translational cardiology Ventricular specialization Biomarker discovery Publication Trends: Recent work highlights ventricular heterogeneity in cardiomyopathies, novel NAD+ repletion strategies, and integrative omics approaches to heart disease. His 2025 Circulation Research paper introduces a groundbreaking mechanism for NAD+ therapy efficacy in HFpEF. Contact: benjamin.hunter@sydney.edu.au

• Neuroimmunology
• Neuroinflammation
• Type I Interferon Signaling
• +3 more

Dr. Barney Viengkhou is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the School of Medical Sciences , part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney . His research focuses on neuroimmunology, particularly the role of type I interferons and cytokines in neuroinflammatory disorders. Academic Rank: Research Fellow Key Research Areas: Neuroinflammation, microglia biology, interferon signaling, viral immunopathology, and CNS cytokine dynamics Dr. Viengkhou's work explores how interferon-α and interleukin-6 interact with brain vasculature and glial cells, contributing to diseases like cerebral interferonopathy and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. His recent studies employ advanced techniques such as single-cell transcriptomics and antisense oligonucleotide therapy. Notable Grants: 2023 Ignition Grant: Investigating microglia's role in autism spectrum disorder models 2022 Rare Researcher Grant: Studying brain vasculature changes in interferonopathy models

Pieter ArnoldView profile

Research Fellow

• Ecological Responses to Global Change
• Evolutionary Biology
• Thermal Tolerance Physiology
• +5 more

Pieter Arnold is a Research Fellow within the Division of Ecology and Evolution at the Australian National University's Research School of Biology. His work bridges laboratory, glasshouse, and field approaches to investigate organismal responses to environmental stressors, with particular focus on thermal and drought challenges across ecological and evolutionary timescales. Affiliated with the Nicotra Group and leading the ATLS (Australian Thermal Load Sensitivity) Project, he contributes significantly to climate change biology research in Australian ecosystems. Arnold holds a BSc Hons (Ecology) and PhD (Evolutionary Ecology) from the University of Queensland. His educational background includes honors research on physiological consequences of viral infection in Drosophila melanogaster and doctoral work on "Selecting for invasive tendencies: the evolution of morphological, physiological, and movement behaviour traits associated with dispersal". His research centers on phenotypic plasticity , thermal tolerance mechanisms , and alpine ecosystem responses to global change. Using integrative approaches spanning molecular to ecosystem levels, he examines how plants and invertebrates acclimate and adapt to heat stress, with significant contributions to understanding leaf thermoregulation, critical thermal maxima, and transcriptomic responses to environmental challenges. This work has critical implications for predicting species vulnerability under climate change scenarios. Analysis of his publication record reveals strong thematic consistency in thermal ecology, with increasing focus on high-throughput methodologies (e.g., chlorophyll fluorometry for kelp), multi-stressor interactions, and translational applications for conservation. His collaborative network spans global research groups addressing climate impacts across diverse taxa. Arnold actively contributes to academic service as a member of the Early and Mid-Career Researchers Committee, examiner for Honours projects, and coordinator of the RSB HDR Mentoring Program. His extensive peer review record (>70 assessments for 30+ journals) demonstrates scholarly engagement across ecology and evolutionary biology. As an educator, he teaches core topics in "Plants and Global Climate Change," "Comparative Physiology," and "Field Studies in Ecology" at ANU. His supervision portfolio includes 4 HDR students (3 current PhD candidates) and 6 Honours students investigating phenotypic plasticity, thermal tolerance, and alpine ecology. He also leads the ATLS project and collaborates within the Nicotra Group focused on plant physiological and evolutionary ecology.

• Surgical Pathology
• Cancer Research
• Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
• +6 more

Professor Anthony Gill AM is Professor of Surgical Pathology at the University of Sydney and a senior staff specialist in anatomical pathology at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. He serves as chairman of the Australian Pancreatic Genome Initiative (APGI) and is a standing editorial board member of the WHO/IARC classification of tumours, the peak international body in surgical pathology. With credentials including MBBS, MD, and FRCPA, Professor Gill has established himself as a leading figure in cancer research and diagnostic pathology. Professor Gill's research focuses on hereditary cancer syndromes, endocrine pathology, and gastrointestinal pathology with special emphasis on pancreaticobiliary pathology. His work bridges basic science discoveries with clinical applications, developing validated diagnostic tests used worldwide. He has translated numerous advances in cancer knowledge into clinically useful diagnostic tools, particularly in biomarker development and companion diagnostic testing for targeted therapies. His extensive publication record includes over 500 highly cited original research papers, numerous review articles, and book chapters. The most recent publications demonstrate his leadership in pancreatic cancer research, molecular pathology, and diagnostic criteria development across multiple organ systems. His work spans AI applications in pathology, spatial transcriptomics, multi-omic analyses, and molecular profiling of various cancers. Appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2018 for service to medical research Recipient of the Distinguished Pathologist Award from the International Academy of Pathologists Multiple NSW Cancer Institute Wildfire Awards for high-impact publications NSW Premier's Award for Excellence in Translational Cancer Research Benjamin Castleman Award from USCAP for outstanding pathology research Professor Gill is deeply committed to education, serving as lead for clinical pathology teaching at the University of Sydney. He has received multiple teaching awards including the Northern Clinical School Students Choice award for best lecturer. His professional leadership extends to numerous prestigious appointments including President of the International Endocrine Pathology Society (2019-2020), Founding President of the Australasian Gastrointestinal Pathology Society, and Series champion for the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting. His laboratory work and research group, the Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Research Group, focuses on translating molecular discoveries into clinical diagnostic applications. The group maintains strong international collaborations, particularly through the Australian Pancreatic Genome Initiative and WHO/IARC working groups, driving innovation in cancer diagnosis and treatment worldwide.

Martin WhitingView profile

Professor

• Animal Behavior
• Evolutionary Biology
• Cognition
• +4 more

Martin Whiting is a Professor of Animal Behaviour at Macquarie University's School of Natural Sciences. His research focuses on the evolution of sociality, cognition in animals, and animal communication, primarily using lizards as model systems. His work integrates field and lab-based approaches to understand how behavior influences fitness and its underlying mechanisms. Research Interests: Evolution of social systems, cognitive traits in reptiles and amphibians, effects of environmental factors on behavior and learning. Key Projects: Investigating transitions in social complexity in Egernia lizards, cultural transmission in reptiles, and impacts of incubation temperature on cognitive development. Recent publications highlight studies on cultural behavior in reptiles, effects of elevated temperatures on lizard learning, and predator-prey dynamics involving monitor lizards. Collaborations span global institutions, emphasizing comparative and evolutionary approaches. Whiting leads a dynamic research group and has contributed to over 200 publications, advancing understanding of behavioral ecology and conservation implications.

• Neuroscience
• Bioinformatics
• Stem Cell Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Nigel Kee is a Casual Bioinformatician at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), University of Queensland, specializing in neurobiological research with a focus on Parkinson's disease, stem cell biology, and developmental neuroscience. His work integrates bioinformatics tools to analyze cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neural development and neurodegenerative disorders. Kee has contributed to studies on dopamine neuron differentiation, single-cell technologies, and transcriptional regulation in neuronal lineages. His research addresses critical questions in regenerative medicine and disease modeling. Key areas of investigation include exploring neurogenesis timing in dopamine progenitors, identifying molecular markers for vulnerable neurons in Parkinson's disease, and understanding axon guidance pathways. Collaborations with international teams have led to publications in high-impact journals such as Cell Stem Cell , Nature Communications , and Development . His bioinformatics expertise supports translational research, particularly in optimizing stem cell-based therapies for neurological disorders. Despite no explicitly listed awards, his extensive publication record reflects sustained contributions to neuroscientific research. Kee’s involvement with the QBI provides access to advanced facilities for spatial transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing, enabling cutting-edge analyses of neural systems. His work bridges computational biology with experimental neuroscience, offering insights into both basic mechanisms and clinical applications.

Sean WilliamsonView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Ecophysiology
• Conservation Biology
• Spatial Ecology
• +3 more

Sean Williamson is an Adjunct Research Associate at Monash University's School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on ecophysiology, spatial ecology, and conservation science, with a strong emphasis on sea turtles, crocodiles, and sharks. He holds a PhD from Monash University (2018) and a BSc from the University of Wollongong (2012). Since 2019, he has been a postdoc at Monash and Florida Atlantic University, collaborating on projects like defining bycatch limits for leatherback turtles and mitigating climate change impacts on turtle nests. He currently leads the Ecophysiology and Conservation Research Group under Prof. Richard Reina. Education: PhD in Biology, Monash University (2013–2018) Bachelor of Science Advanced (1st Class Honours), University of Wollongong (2007–2012) Research Interests: His work spans ecophysiological adaptations, spatial distribution modeling, and conservation strategies for endangered species. Notable areas include embryonic development in reptiles, climate change effects on nesting success, and the ecological significance of pre-ovipositional arrest in turtles. Grants & Projects: Defining bycatch limits for leatherback turtles (NSW Department of Primary Industries, 2023) Understanding leatherback turtle distributions (Australian Department of Climate Change, 2023–2025) Raine Island Nest Cooling Project (2021) Labs & Collaborations: Part of the Ecophysiology and Conservation Research Group, collaborating with institutions like Florida Atlantic University and NGOs such as Upwell Turtles. His work aligns with UN SDGs 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land).

Alexie PapanicolaouView profile

Associate Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Genomics
• Evolutionary Biology
• +5 more

Associate Professor Alexie Papanicolaou is affiliated with the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment at Western Sydney University , within the Soil Biology and Genomics department. His research focuses on integrating molecular biology and bioinformatics to address challenges in agricultural biosecurity, climate adaptation, and evolutionary biology. He leads projects on genomic analysis of organisms like Heliconius butterflies, Helicoverpa armigera, and eucalyptus trees. Education: PhD from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, prior positions at CSIRO and the University of Exeter. He co-developed Trinity RNA-Seq software and leads international genome consortia. Research Interests Evolutionary genomics and adaptive traits in insects Genomic model species development for agriculture and medicine Integration of genomics with spatial ecology Bioinformatics software engineering Grants 2024-2027: Citrus variety pathogen resistance assessment (Superior Production Co.) 2014-2018: CSIRO postdoctoral fellowship for Dr. Yeap 2014-2018: Horticulture Australia-funded RNAi research (AUD 2.36M) Awards CSIRO Office of the Chief Postdoctoral Fellowship (2014-2018) Labs/Teams : Stressed Fruit Fly Lab - investigates heat stress responses and genomic adaptations in insects.

• Animal Behaviour
• Behavioural Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• +3 more

Dr. David Hamilton is an Adjunct Researcher at the University of Tasmania (School of Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences Department) and a Conservation Ecologist with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. His work bridges behavioral ecology and conservation biology, focusing on how animal behavior informs effective management strategies. He holds a PhD from the University of Tasmania (2019), an MSc from Edinburgh Napier University, and a BSc Hons from the University of Aberdeen. Research interests include the behavioral drivers of disease transmission (e.g., devil facial tumour disease), translocation strategies for endangered species like the eastern quoll, and the ecological impacts of habitat modification. His projects often involve collaboration with UTAS researchers and applied work on TLC reserves. Key funded projects include Holsworth grants investigating eastern quoll translocations (2024–2028) and Tasmanian devil tumour dynamics (2015–2018). Recent publications emphasize wildlife monitoring techniques, invasive species management, and genomic analyses of disease impacts. His work contributes to both theoretical understanding and practical conservation outcomes. Grant involvement includes roles in projects totaling over $36,000, addressing translocation protocols and disease ecology. Supervision focuses on doctoral and honours students examining quoll translocation outcomes and population genetics. His interdisciplinary approach integrates behavioral, ecological, and genetic methodologies to address conservation challenges.

• Transplantation Immunology
• Precision Medicine
• Nephrology
• +4 more

Dr Jennifer Li is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney , and a Staff Specialist Nephrologist & Transplant Physician at Westmead Hospital, WSLHD . She is also a Clinician Researcher at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research . Research Interests: Transplant immunology, precision medicine, renal amyloidosis, monoclonal gammopathies of renal significance, spatial transcriptomics, polygenic risk scores, and cell death pathways in kidney transplantation. Teaching & Supervision: Supervises 3 PhD students and 2 Honours students, and trains renal advanced trainees, basic physician trainees, and medical students. Publications span nephrology, transplantation, and clinical research, with recent work focusing on gasdermin D mutation , CD47 metabolism , and spatial transcriptomics in renal and transplant outcomes. Grants & Fellowships: Royal Australasian College of Physicians Jacquot Research Establishment Fellowship (2024) NHMRC Ideas Grant (2024-2026) MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission Grant (2023-2027) Ramaciotti Health Investment Grant (2023) Westmead Charitable Trust Clinician Development Grant (2023) Professional Associations: Fellowships: Royal Australasian College of Physicians, International Society of Nephrology, American Society of Nephrology Committee Roles: Transplant Society (TTS) Education Committee (2025-), TSANZ Post-Graduate Course Convenor (2023), NSW Health Solid Organ Transplant Working Group Co-chair (2024-)