Rebecca Lim

Associate Professor Rebecca Lim is an academic at the University of Newcastle’s School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, specializing in Anatomy. She holds an Associate Professorship and serves as a Chief Investigator in vestibular research. Her work focuses on balance mechanisms, auditory systems, and the functional development of vestibular hair cells and neurons. Lim collaborates globally with vestibular experts and is affiliated with HMRI neuroscientists. She supervises multiple PhD students and coordinates the Anatomy course for Biomedical Sciences. Additionally, she is a faculty member of the Australian Course in Advanced Neuroscience (ACAN), training early-career researchers.

Education:

• PhD (Australian National University)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (University of Newcastle)

Research Interests:

Lim’s research explores sensory neurobiology, particularly the vestibular system’s central and peripheral components. She employs immunofluorescent labeling and microscopy to study neuronal proteins in the inner ear and brain. Her recent work includes NHMRC-funded studies on vestibular hair cell development and the role of central vestibular neurons in postural control. She investigates aging effects on vestibular function and motion sickness susceptibility, leveraging mouse models to dissect synaptic and circuit-level mechanisms.

Publications & Grants:

Lim has authored over 70 articles, including studies on efferent vestibular system anatomy, neurofilament changes in Parkinson’s disease, and organoid models of reproductive systems. She secured NHMRC grants totaling ~$4.1M for projects like targeting vestibular schwannoma, efferent system therapies for balance disorders, and bioelectronic neural interfaces. Current grants focus on drug delivery systems and precision neuromodulation.

Teaching & Outreach:

Besides undergraduate anatomy and neuroscience courses, Lim mentors third-year research students and oversees thesis supervision. Her ACAN role emphasizes advanced neuroscience training for early researchers.

Labs & Collaborations:

Lim’s research integrates with Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and international teams. She uses cutting-edge techniques like rotary cell culture systems for inner ear organoids and organic semiconductor-based neural interfaces to bridge basic science with clinical applications in balance disorders.