معرفی
Professor Kathryn Burdon is Deputy Director of the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania. She holds a Professorial Research Fellowship and leads the Genetics and Cancer Theme. Her research focuses on identifying genetic factors underlying eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and keratoconus, with a particular emphasis on pediatric cases. She also investigates genetic contributions to multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular conditions.
Education: PhD (2004) in pediatric cataract genetics from University of Tasmania; BSc(Hons) in albinism genetics (1999). Postdoctoral training at Wake Forest University.
Research Interests
- Gene discovery for blinding eye diseases using whole genome sequencing and supercomputing analysis
- Role of genetic and environmental factors in treatment response (e.g., anti-VEGF therapy for macular degeneration)
- Utilization of the Tasmanian Ophthalmic Biobank and population records for genetic studies
- Development of zebrafish models to study disease mechanisms
Article Trends
Recent work focuses on pediatric cataract genetics, diabetic maculopathy GWAS, and polygenic risk scores for glaucoma. Emphasis on translating genetic findings into clinical care through predictive testing and personalized therapies.
Awards
- Menzies Institute Academic Mentoring Award (2022)
- NHMRC Fellowships (Peter Doherty, Senior Research)
- Invited lectures at major ophthalmology and genetics conferences
Grants & Supervision
- $2M+ in NHMRC and international grants for gene discovery projects
- Supervised over 20 PhD/Masters students on topics like EBV-MS links and pediatric cataract genetics
Labs & Collaborations
Leads the Tasmanian Ophthalmic Biobank and collaborates with global groups (Flinders University, Harvard, University of Melbourne) on multi-ethnic genetic studies.
