David Sharkey

Dr. David Sharkey is an NHMRC Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute and School of Biomedicine. His work focuses on clinical reproductive immunology, particularly the role of seminal fluid in immune tolerance during pregnancy. He completed his PhD in Medicine at the University of Adelaide in 2005, supervised by Professors Sarah Robertson and Robert Norman. His research explores how male seminal fluid interacts with the female immune system to facilitate successful conception and pregnancy. Dr. Sharkey is an eligible supervisor for Masters and PhD students in reproductive immunology and related fields.

• Education: PhD (Medicine), University of Adelaide (2005)
• Affiliations: Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine
• Grants: NHMRC Project and Ideas Grants

His research interests include seminal fluid signaling pathways, immune regulation during implantation, and the impact of male fertility factors on pregnancy outcomes. Dr. Sharkey’s recent studies highlight seminal plasma’s role in cytokine induction and regulatory T cell activation, critical for establishing immune tolerance in the female reproductive tract.

He has published extensively on topics such as semen composition, preconception dietary influences, and immunological mechanisms in pregnancy failure. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, aiming to improve fertility treatments and pregnancy outcomes.

• Labs/Teams: Robinson Research Institute’s Reproductive Immunology Group
• Awards: NHMRC Postdoctoral Fellowship