Meet the BioZone cohort
Eric Alves
Research Profile
Eric Alves is a PhD candidate in the School of Human Sciences and based jointly at the Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases (Murdoch University) and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (QEII Medical Centre).
Eric has a strong background in cellular and molecular immunology, completing his BSc(Hons) in 2019 on the mechanisms used by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to evade the host immune response. During his time working on HIV, Eric came to appreciate that viruses and tumours share similar mechanisms of immune evasion. Many of these mechanisms involve the cancer/virus “turning-off” important genes, which help the immune system “see” the cancer/virally-infected cell. As such, “turning-on” the genes that viruses/tumours have “turned-off” is likely to augment anti-cancer/viral therapies, thereby improving patient outcomes. However, given the intricacies of the immune system and limited technologies suited for specific gene manipulation, successful therapy development in this space has remained difficult. Eric’s PhD aims to use state-of-the-art technology to design and test a new targeted treatment that can “turn-on” the important immune-related genes that tumours/viruses “turn-off”. If successful, this treatment may help make hard-to-treat cancers, such as triple negative breast cancer, or viral infections, such as HIV, more visible to the immune system for elimination.
Supervisors
Dr Silvana Gaudieri, Dr Pilar Blancafort and Dr Yu Suk Choi
Contact
[email protected]
Keywords: Immunology | Genetics | Virology | Cancer Biology | Epigenome engineering
Sebastian Amos
Research Profile
Sebastian is a PhD candidate and a Hackett Postgraduate Research Scholar in the School of Human Sciences at the University of Western Australia. Sebastian’s PhD focuses on the changes in cell behaviour and function that allow cancer cells to spread to different organs.
Metastasis, whereby cells from a primary tumour spread to other tissues, is the primary cause of cancer-related death. Metastasising cancer cells face many chemical and mechanical challenges that would ordinarily halt or kill invading cells. Yet, metastatic cancer cells survive and can even become more aggressive following exposure to these hostile conditions. This may owe to changes in the way they move through, interact with, and respond to their microenvironment, but this remains poorly understood. Sebastian has a particular interest in how changes to cancer cell adhesion and mechanical conditioning may enhance and protect metastasis. Understanding these mechanisms may highlight new therapeutic targets in the fight against cancer. Adopting a transdisciplinary approach, Sebastian is collaborating with biomedical engineering (BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research), bioengineering (Confinement Mechanobiology Lab, Mechanbiological Institute, National University of Singapore) and molecular and biochemistry (Park Lab, Yonsei University) groups to study the mechanobiology of metastatic cancers.
Supervisors
Dr Yu Suk Choi and Associate Professor Brendan Kennedy
Contact
[email protected]
Keywords: Cancer mechanobiology | metastasis | microfluidics | hydrogels | cellular adhesion
Samuel Bolland
Research Profile
My project aims to validate and explore the potential for rTMS as a method of treatment for treatment resistant depression using computer simulation, MRI analyses and biochemical assays. Specifically I firstly aim to obtain in-depth information on brain changes induced by LI-rTMS and its potential for treatment of TRD by conducting MRI analyses on animal models. Secondly, I will quantify the effect LI-rTMS has on depression through biochemical assays and modelling influenced molecular pathways. Thirdly, I will investigate the short and long term stimulatory effects and neuroplasticity induced by rTMS electrical fields in the brain using FEM and single cell computer simulations separately and in combination in a global brain model. Finally, I also aim to develop new LI-rTMS device components based on the modelling outcomes.
Supervisors
Associate Professor Jennifer Rodger, Associate Professor Barry Doyle, Dr Alex Tang and Dr Martin Spencer
Contact
[email protected]
Keywords: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation | Neuroplasticity | medtech | neuroscience
Mar Janna Dahl
Mar Janna Dahl is a PhD student in the Preclinical Intensive Care Research Unit at UWA. She is working with a group of international clinical neonatologists, basic scientists, bioengineers, biomaterial scientists, biomedical engineers to better understand fetal breathing during lung development and to test several novel refinements to the currently available fetal treatment for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). CDH is the failure of the diaphragm to properly close during fetal development allowing the abdominal contents to enter the chest cavity. The result is the underdevelopment of the lungs. CDH is significant birth defect with a prevalence of 1-3 cases per 5000 live births and survival rates or 52-71% in developed countries. Babies that survive face significant long-term health problems including lung, gastro-intestinal, and neurodevelopment delays.
Natasha Dale
Research Profile
Natasha Dale is a PhD candidate at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and UWA Centre for Medical Research. Natasha’s PhD focuses on elucidating how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transduce intracellular signals and traffic through the cell upon agonist binding, with a particular focus on the orexin receptor system. Better understanding of these processes can assist in the design of new drugs with improved efficacy and specificity. To achieve this, cutting-edge Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) techniques are being developed and implemented.
Alongside her research, Natasha has actively engaged with industry, completing a 4-month APR internship with biopharmaceutical company Dimerix in 2019-2020, as well as completing the Perth Biodesign for Medtech course in 2020-2021.
Natasha has also taken on multiple leadership roles as Chair of the Perkins Student Committee (2021), ASCEPT Drug Discovery Student Representative (2017-2021) and a founding member of the QEII Research Student Network (2020-2021).
Supervisors
Professor Kevin Pfleger, Dr Liz Johnstone
Contact
[email protected]
Keywords: GPCR pharmacology | BRET assay techniques | CNS receptor pharmacology
Behzad Shiroud Heidari
Research Profile
Behzad is a passionate Polymer Engineer with a vision to create functional polymers and biomaterials for different applications. His expertise spans knowledge in the formulation and design of bio/polymer composites to improve their properties for different usages, especially for biomedical applications. Before starting PhD study in Australia, Behzad worked with medical-grade polymers both in industry and university for several years. Behzad started his PhD journey in the University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research by winning the Industrial Transformation Training Centre (ITTC) PhD Scholarship and Science Industry PhD Fellowship in 2018. His PhD project, which is involved in an industrial partnership with Orthocell, is focused on developing different biodegradable materials for tendon and ligament tissue engineering. He is trying to fabricate and functionalise the scaffolds based on the specific properties of the native tissues.
Supervisors
Associate Professor Barry Doyle, Professor Minghao Zheng and Dr Elena De-Juan Pardo
Contact
[email protected]
Keywords: Bio/Nanocomposites | 3D printing | Tendon Tissue Engineering | Biodegradation | Polymer processing
Chris James
Chris James is a PhD candidate in the School of Molecular Science at the University of Western Australia. Chris has a background in pharmacology and biochemistry and completed his Master of Biotechnology in 2017 where his thesis focused on biomarkers of immune cell activation in the blood. Advancing from his master’s work, Chris’ PhD focuses on developing a technique to measure oxidative stress and inflammation from one drop of blood. A key component of his research to design a straightforward, high throughput methodology as well as a novel blood collection device that facilitates “on-field “sample collection. The resulting technique aims to be suitable for routine use in a wide variety of industries such as clinical drug trials, high performance sports and animal agriculture.
Chris has a keen interest in commercialising scientific research and has been selected to participate in several commercialisation programs, including the highly competitive CSIRO On Accelerate. Chris was also a finalist in the 2018 MedTech’s Got Talent program, Australia’s largest MedTech start-up competition.
Leanne Jiang
Research Profile
Leanne Jiang is a PhD candidate based at the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science. She is currently undergoing a collaborative research project at the AIBN, at the University of Queensland for the duration of 2021.
Leanne’s PhD focuses on understanding the genetic and cellular mechanisms of mitochondria in motor neuron disease (MND), and subsequently developing a personalised therapeutic for a patient with MND. It is established that mitochondrial dysfunction may be a leading mechanism of cell death in MND patients. Leanne will grow patient skin cells and differentiate them to induced pluripotent stem cells, and then direct them into motor neurons as a model for each patient and the disease. She will use these motor neurons to investigate the dynamic relationships of mitochondria and understand their implication in motor neuron death. These cell models will then be used as a tool to identify the efficacy of a novel antisense oligonucleotide therapeutic to amend a genetic mutation causing MND.
Awards and Achievements: 2020 ANS 3MT First Prize, 2020 Ken and Julie Michael Convocation Travel Award, 2020 UWA Excellence in Teaching, 2020 Perron Institute 3MT First Prize, 2018 ANS Travel Award, 2018 NRP Travel Award. Collaborations: Ngo Group (Brisbane, Australia), ALSUntangled (International Review Group), MND Palliative Care Review (Australia); Founding member and scientific advisor for TEDxUWA.
Supervisors
A/Prof. Jennifer Rodger, Prof. Anthony Akkari, E/Prof. Alan Harvey, C/Prof. Merrilee Needham and Dr. Shyuan Ngo
Contact
[email protected]
Keywords: Motor neuron disease | mitochondria | iPSC | genetics | antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics
Samuel Maher
Research Profile
Samuel Maher is a PhD candidate in the School of Human Sciences at the University of Western Australia based at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.
Stem cell therapy is an emerging branch of regenerative medicine that is concerned with the usage of stem cell populations to replace or repair damaged cells to restore normal tissue function. However, using current techniques, the majority of delivered stem cells will migrate away from the local site within a matter of hours and the remaining population has a very low survival rate leaving around 0.05% of the original population to assist in tissue repair.
My PhD will investigate the role that mechanobiology and the microenvironment play in stem cell fate. Through the combinatory use of advanced bioprinting and biomaterials, I aim to develop a more representative microenvironment in which we can draw conclusions about stem cell behaviour across a broad spectrum of physiological conditions. Ultimately, I will be designing a biomimetic scaffold that promotes heterogenous cell population growth whilst limiting their migration away from the target site. By doing so, I aim to generate highly translatable platforms that will eventually provide safe and efficacious stem cell therapy options for patients.
Supervisors
Dr Yu Suk Choi and Dr Elena Juan-Pardo
Contact
[email protected]
Keywords: Stem cell delivery | regenerative medicine | stem cells | heterogeneity
Ebrahim Vahabli
Research Profile
Endovascular aortic repair has emerged to alleviate the perioperative morbidity and mortality rate associated with open surgical repair (OSR). Since the first successful abdominal aneurysm exclusion in 1991, this treatment has evolved in terms of procedural policies, devices and has been further utilised practically for other types of aortic disorders. In this non-invasive procedure, a stent-graft is placed transluminally through a catheter to exclude the disease by shielding the diseased artery and, thus, prevents the arterial wall's rupture.
To prevent stent-graft perioperative complications, close monitoring of the device over many years is required, particularly as complications can arise in 25-40% of patients who require additional interventions or conversion to OSR.
We are developing a novel stent-graft that utilises advanced manufacturing technology, intending to create a biomimetic prototype capable of addressing the current device complications. We also are making a specific type of smart material for this purpose. Our ultimate goal is to open a new path for the next generation of sent-grafts.
Supervisors
Professor Barry Doyle, Dr Elena Juan Pardo and Professor Shirley Jansen
Contact
[email protected]
Keywords: Endovascular aortic repair | Stent-graft | 4d printing | Smart material | Topology optimisation
Danielle Vahala
Research Profile
Investigating cellular mechanisms involved in cancer metastasis and whether this is a matrix-driven response. Integrins play a vital role in focal adhesion formation and transduce mechanical input to the nucleus to alter downstream cellular processes. Cancer cells, through all stages of metastasis, experience vastly different microenvironments and subsequently display differing degrees of adhesion. The aim of my research is to investigate the mechanisms by which integrin-ligand interactions are regulating cancer cell adhesion and thus determine whether this is a driver for metastasis.
Supervisor
Dr Yu Suk Choi, Associate Professor Brendan Kennedy
Contact
[email protected]
Keywords: Cancer | Mechanobiology
Michael Vernon
Research Profile
The current solution for valvular heart disease (VHD) requires replacing the valve with either bioprosthetic or mechanical valves. Despite being the gold standard approach, these solutions are far from ideal presenting with many complications such as a finite durability, lifelong anti-coagulation therapy, and most importantly a lacking ability to grow with the patient.
My project will be harnessing the capability of in-situ tissue engineering (TE), where scaffolds are implanted cell-free into the body allowing the human body to carry out endogenous tissue growth and regeneration. This technique has been promising so far and has the potential to address all of the above problems. In addition to this, recent advances in additive manufacturing technology have given rise to melt electro-writing (MEW), a technique capable of fabricating polymer scaffolds with unmatched precision, lending itself strongly to the field of TE.
This project proposes to create novel biomimetic TEHVs that replicate the structure and function of native heart valves. To achieve this goal, a combination of the promising aforementioned techniques of in-situ TE, MEW as well as advanced hydrogels will be utilised to create a next generation TEHV. This design will subsequently be optimised through a multi-disciplinary approach of in-vitro and in-silico validation, with the aim of ultimately outperforming the current state of the art.
Supervisors
Dr Elena De Juan Pardo, Assoc Prof Barry Doyle, Prof Petra Mela, Prof Girish Dwivedi, Dr Shirley Jansen
Contact
[email protected]
Keywords: Tissue Engineering | Melt Electro-Writing | Heart Valves | 3D printing | Computational Fluid Dynamics