Nikki Verrills

Professor Nikki Verrills is a leading academic at the University of Newcastle, holding a full-time position in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (Medical Biochemistry). Her research focuses on cancer biology, particularly the role of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in leukemia and breast cancer. She has pioneered studies on PP2A activation as a therapeutic strategy, including work on FTY720 (fingolimod) to target acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Her interdisciplinary approach integrates proteomics, cell biology, and clinical trials.

Education: PhD (Macquarie University, 2005), Bachelor of Science (Honours, Macquarie University). Career highlights include the NHMRC Peter Doherty Postdoctoral Fellowship (2006), ARC Future Fellowship (2017), and numerous grants from Cancer Council NSW and Cure Cancer Australia. She leads the Verrills Laboratory, collaborating with the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and international teams to advance translational cancer research.

Research interests span PP2A signaling in cancer, drug resistance mechanisms, and biomarker discovery. She has developed unique molecular reagents for PP2A studies and contributed to clinical trials for novel therapeutics. Her work also addresses ethical research practices, reducing animal usage in labs (e.g., Voiceless Eureka Prize, 2007).

Publications and grants: Over 80 journal articles, including high-impact work in Cancer Research, Cell Signalling, and Nature Medicine. Key projects include proteogenomic profiling of AML and breast cancer, and synergistic drug targeting strategies. She is actively involved in mentoring early-career researchers and public science outreach through the Tall Poppy Campaign and community events.

Labs/Teams: Priority Research Centre for Cancer and Drug Development at the University of Newcastle, HMRI collaborations, and industry partnerships with pharmaceutical companies.