Janette Burgess

Janette Burgess is a Professor at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology. She joined UMCG in 2015 as a Rosalind Franklin Fellow and leads research on extracellular matrix (ECM) in lung pathology within the Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC).

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Science (with Honours) from the University of Adelaide (1991)
• PhD from the University of New South Wales (1998)
• Post-doctoral training at the University of Sydney under Prof Judy Black (1999)

Professor Burgess's research focuses on understanding the role of the extracellular matrix in lung diseases such as asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. She investigates whether structural changes in lung tissue cause or result from pathology. Her work employs primary human cells, lung tissue samples, and advanced imaging techniques to characterize ECM changes and explore therapeutic targets, linking basic science to prevention and treatment of human lung diseases.

Her recent publications show a strong emphasis on ECM remodeling in various lung conditions including asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and ARDS. There's a clear trajectory toward understanding the mechanobiology of ECM and its interactions with immune cells and structural cells in the lung, with increasing focus on therapeutic interventions targeting ECM dynamics.

Her scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous awards:

• American Thoracic Society Fellow (2021)
• Lizotte Family Research Award for Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis Research (2014)
• Young Investigator Award (2012)
• Ann Woolcock Memorial Award (2007)
• Young Tall Poppy Award (2005)
• NHMRC Peter Doherty training award (2000-2006)
• NHMRC R.D Wright Career Development Award (2006-2011)
• NHMRC Career Development Fellowship level 2 (2012-2015)

Professor Burgess has supervised numerous students and early-career researchers, with 14 supervised works documented. Her research has been supported by competitive grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and other international funding bodies. She actively collaborates with researchers across Europe and Australia, serving on scientific committees including the American Thoracic Society annual conference (2024-2026).

Her laboratory work is conducted within the GRIAC institute, where she utilizes advanced in vitro cell models, ex vivo human lung tissue models, and state-of-the-art microscopy imaging techniques to investigate ECM dynamics in lung diseases, with particular focus on how mechanical forces and biochemical signals interact within the lung tissue microenvironment.