Alaina Ammit

Alaina Ammit is a Professor of Respiratory Pharmacology at the School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and serves as Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Science. She also directs the Woolcock Emphysema Centre, Australia’s only COPD-dedicated research center, affiliated with the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research.

• BAppSc (Biomedical Science), UTS (1984)
• MSc (1990) and PhD (1996), University of Sydney
• NH&MRC CJ Martin Fellowship for postdoctoral studies

Her research focuses on unraveling the mechanistic basis of inflammation in chronic respiratory diseases, with an emphasis on cellular signaling pathways, phosphatases (PP2A, MKP-1, TTP), and pharmacological modulators for therapeutic intervention. She has pioneered studies on oxidative stress in airway pathogenesis, ECM interactions in fibrosis, and corticosteroid insensitivity in inflammatory conditions.

Recent publications highlight her work on PP2A dysregulation in COPD and cancer, TTP phosphorylation as a drug target, and ABCA1 signaling in lipid homeostasis. These studies span molecular mechanisms to translational applications, reflecting her expertise in bridging bench-to-clinic research.

Scientific Awards & Recognitions:

• Johnson & Johnson Research Award (2001)
• Australian Academy of Science Travel Award (2004)
• Senior Medical Scientist Award (AARI 2005, LIWA 2013)
• NSW/ACT Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2006)
• USyd Thompson Fellowship (2011)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales (2023)

As a Distinguished Professor (2022), she supervises Masters and PhD students and has secured over $10 million in research funding. Her leadership roles include membership in the Medical Research Advisory Committee (ARC) and NH&MRC Grant Review Panel.

Her research involves collaboration with the Woolcock Institute and multidisciplinary teams integrating data science, satellite pollen surveillance, and geospatial methods to track respiratory disease impacts.