معرفی
Michelle Halls is an Associate Professor (Research) in the Drug Discovery Biology Theme at Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University. Her research focuses on understanding how cell signalling pathways are spatially organized, particularly through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), to drive physiological and pathological processes. She leads interdisciplinary teams developing targeted therapeutics that exploit subcellular receptor localization for enhanced efficacy.
Key Affiliations:
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellow (2020-2025)
- NHMRC RD Wright Career Development Fellow (2014-2019)
- NHMRC CJ Martin Overseas Biomedical Fellow (2008-2013)
Research Interests: Cells use GPCRs to translate diverse stimuli into specific responses via localized signalling networks. Halls' team uses microscopy, mass spectrometry, and drug delivery to study how GPCRs' spatial organization influences cancer metastasis, pain transmission, and hormone signaling. Key projects include targeting metastatic breast cancer via β2-adrenoceptor pathways and developing endosome-targeted opioids for prolonged pain relief.
Awards:
- ASCEPT Achievement Award (2024)
- British Pharmacological Society Geoffrey Burnstock Prize (2023)
- Faculty of Pharmacy Excellence in Research Future Leader Award (2019)
- Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists New Investigator Award (2010)
Grants & Collaborations:
- ARC-funded project on nuclear hormone receptors (2024-2027)
- NHMRC grants targeting neurofibromatosis and breast cancer (2021-2024)
- Equity Trustees project on GPCR signalling networks (2020-2025)
Labs & Teams: Directs the Spatial Organisation of Signalling Laboratory, collaborating with global teams on GPCR structural biology and drug development.
