Janet Keast

Professor Janet Keast is Chair of Anatomy and Neuroscience in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. She is an internationally recognized researcher in neural innervation of urogenital organs and neurobiology of pain, with leadership experience including Director of Basic Research at the Pain Management Research Institute and Head of the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience at the University of Melbourne.

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) from University of Adelaide
• PhD from Flinders University (mentors: John Furness and Marcello Costa)
• Postdoctoral training with Dr William (Chet) de Groat at University of Pittsburgh

Professor Keast's primary research interests focus on the autonomic and sensory innervation of urogenital organs, with particular emphasis on mechanisms of neural plasticity contributing to pelvic visceral pain and spinal cord injury pain. Her work spans neuro-urology, neural development, vascular innervation, and neuromodulation approaches for restoring bladder control. She employs advanced techniques including microscopy of neural circuits, viral tracing methods, and computational modeling to understand the complex neural regulation of urogenital function.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on mapping neural circuitry of the lower urinary tract, developing endovascular neuromodulation approaches, and investigating pathological changes in urogenital tissues. These works span neuroscience, urology, biomedical engineering, and reproductive medicine, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of her research program.

Her notable scientific achievements include:

• 2018 Nina Kondelos Award from the Australasian Neuroscience Society (awarded annually to a female neuroscientist for outstanding contribution)
• President of the Australasian Neuroscience Society (2023-2024)

Professor Keast currently leads a research team supported by the NIH SPARC Program to map neural circuitry of the lower urinary tract and develop new neuromodulatory therapies. With Dr. Peregrine Osborne, she co-leads a project within the NIH GUDMAP consortium to map the development and maturation of vasculature and nerve supply in the mouse lower urinary tract. Her research program has received substantial funding through multiple research grants, including international collaborations with the NIH.

Her laboratory focuses on neuroanatomical mapping, neural circuit analysis, and development of neuromodulation approaches for urogenital disorders, working at the intersection of basic neuroscience and clinical applications.