Jeff Keelan

Jeff Keelan is a Professor and Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Western Australia (UWA), located at the QEII Medical Centre in Perth. He holds adjunct positions at Curtin University and serves on the Marshall Centre Advisory Board and the QEII Trust Board. His academic journey includes a PhD in Obstetrics from the University of Auckland (1994), an MSc in Biochemistry (1986), and a BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology (1979).

Research Focus: His work centers on preterm labor prevention, placental pharmacology, and maternal inflammation management. Key areas include nanoparticle drug delivery, melatonin supplementation, and microbiome influences during pregnancy.

Funding & Grants: Since 2017, he has secured over $20M in grants, including NHMRC projects targeting preterm birth prevention (e.g., “screen & treat” trials) and MRFF initiatives like the MyTIME melatonin trial. Notable grants include a Telethon Trust award for preterm birth prediction research.

Teaching & Mentorship: Co-coordinates Honours in Medical Research and lectures in pharmacology courses at UWA and the University of Auckland. Supervised over 50 postgraduate students, contributing to 220+ publications with >13,000 citations.

Collaborations: Active in multi-institutional projects, such as microbiome workflow advancements and nanoparticle toxicity studies. His work aligns with UN SDGs related to health and innovation.