Peter Zalewski

Dr. Peter Zalewski is a Senior Lecturer in the Adelaide Medical School at the University of Adelaide, affiliated with the Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research. His research focuses on the role of labile zinc in cardiovascular physiology, apoptosis regulation, and respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma. He co-discovered labile zinc's role in cell signaling and developed the zinc fluorophore Zinquin, widely used globally. His work explores zinc's impact on airway epithelium, macrophage function, and vascular health, with applications in coronary artery disease and pulmonary hypertension. He has secured multiple NHMRC grants and collaborates extensively with researchers in diabetes, COPD, and translational medicine.

Key contributions include identifying zinc's link to apoptosis suppression (1993), zinc's role in airway inflammation (2010s), and its effects on macrophage phagocytosis in COPD. Current research addresses zinc deficiency in coronary heart disease and vascular signaling mechanisms. He has published over 90 papers and advises on zinc deficiency trials in Bangladesh. As an academic leader, he coordinates Honours programs in Medicine and serves on university committees.