Fiona Kathryn Leith

Fiona Kathryn Leith is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the UWA Medical School, University of Western Australia, and affiliated with the UWA Centre for Ear Science. Her research focuses on genetic hearing disorders, particularly Usher syndrome, using stem cell models and therapeutic development.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy, UWA Medical School

Research Interests: Leith's work integrates molecular genetics, stem cell biology, and clinical translation to address hearing restoration. Key areas include:

• Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) modeling of Usher syndrome
• MYO7A variant pathogenesis in autosomal recessive hearing loss
• Stem cell-based therapies for cochlear and vestibular disorders
• Clinical trial design for auditory therapeutics
• Regenerative approaches for spiral ganglion and cochlear repair

Research Trends: Her 2023-2025 publications reveal a trajectory from foundational iPSC model development (2024) to comprehensive therapeutic reviews (2023, 2025), emphasizing translational bridges between genetic mechanisms and clinical applications for hearing disorders.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards documented in source material

Advising and Grants: No student advisement or grant information is specified in available records, though collaborative projects indicate multi-investigator funding mechanisms.

Labs and Teams: Leith operates within the UWA Centre for Ear Science research ecosystem, collaborating with Marcus Atlas (otology), Fred Chen (ophthalmology), and Simon McLenachan (stem cell biology) on cross-disciplinary hearing restoration initiatives.