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Research Students

Josh Stern

Recruitment of human telomerase to telomeres

My PhD at Children’s Medical Research Institute aims to understand how cancer cells achieve immortality. The chromosome ends, or telomeres, of normal cells shorten with age. This eventually causes cells to stop dividing. In cancer cells this does not happen. Most of the time this is because the telomerase enzyme repeatedly extends the telomeres. My goal is to work out what key factors recruit telomerase to the telomeres allowing it to extend the chromosomes.

Tristan Sharp

Doctor of Philosophy - biomechanical and physiological demands of front row forwards during the scrum

"My PhD is centred on rugby union scrummaging. More specifically the research is examining the biomechanical and physiological demands of front row forwards during the scrum. The reason behind only focusing on the front row guys is because they are the only ones during the scrum that are interlocked and can be influenced by the opposition. In addition, it is these guys who transmit the forces created by both their own team and the opposition. If these players understand their technique more and how it influences others, then it’s intended that the game will be a lot faster and more appealing to the rugby audience."

Sanket Joshi

Dynamin II as a potential anti-cancer drug target

My PhD project is to determine if the cellular protein dynamin II (dynII) is a potential anti-cancer drug target. DynII is implicated in the last step of the cell division process, called cytokinesis. Cell division is tightly regulated so that cells only divide when necessary and any damaged cells are killed. Cancer develops when this control is lost. We hope to stop the proliferation of cancer cells by targeting dynamin. This may result in stabilization or regression of a tumour. My research is conducted at the Children’s Medical Research Institute, part of the Westmead Research Hub.

Natalie D'Abrew

Impact of breast and gynaecological cancer in terms of the male partner's experience

I'm looking at the experience of male partners whose female partner is diagnosed with breast or gynaecological cancer. My research focuses on the impact of this disease in relation to body image and sexuality from the male partner's perspective. The aim is to improve knowledge of how male partners cope and to explore possible interventions for the male partner during this time.

Claire Deakin

Gene therapy for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1)

While two clinical trials of SCID-X1 gene therapy have shown success, some infants developed leukaemia as a result of the integrating virus used for gene delivery, a risk previously estimated as insignificant. My PhD project at the Children’s Medical Research Institute is focussed on developing an alternative, safer gene delivery system. My project also includes an ethics component to investigate risk and uncertainty in clinical gene therapy, which allows me to draw on my undergraduate training in science and law.

Ichsani Wheeler

The auditability of soil carbon at the farm scale

My research topic aims to devise an efficient method for analysing soil carbon and provide a scheme for measuring and monitoring of soil carbon storage at the farm scale. A refined auditing system can be developed by using a design-based approach on existing data combined with annual soil sampling of different soil types and production systems. This will enable the participation of agriculture in the carbon economy as a supplier of carbon credits and contribute to the function of cap-and-trade systems, and also provide support for improved land management by adding value to ecosystem services.

Kat Leaver

Neuroprotection and Parkinson's Disease

Currently the most effective treatments available to treat PD only alleviate the symptoms. There is a need to develop neuroprotective drugs which slow or stop the progression of the disease. Early intervention may help slow the onset of debilitating symptoms. I'm doing a cotutelle PhD, and so will be completing a year of research in Tours, France. I have the opportunity to travel to present at conferences.

Nathan Saul

Epidemiology of Cryptococcus gatti, a fatal pathogen of people and animals

I've investigated the case of a koala in New South Wales that presented with an unusually aggressive pathogen. I traced back the infecting strain to a koala park in Western Australia. By investigating the pathogen and the environmental associations, we can devise better prevention and treatment strategies.

Susie Wood

Combustion of mine ventilation air methane using porous burners

I'm working on a project to develop greenhouse gas mitigation technologies for underground coal mines and landfills. At the moment, mine ventilation air containing methane is just released into the air. We're developing an advanced combustion system capable of burning diluted fuels like methane, so that we can make use of a fuel that would otherwise be wasted.

Carolyn Blomley

The fungal endophytes of Theobroma cacao.

My project aims to investigate the ecology of fungal endophytes on cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in Australia and Papua New Guinea and to test the hypothesis that commonly isolated endophytes can protect their host plant from disease. I am testing whether endophyte mediated protection occurs more broadly and can be used to control disease caused by Phytophthora palmivora in PNG. To do this I have undertaken endophyte surveys in three regions of PNG and in Northern Australia. Commonly isolated endophyte species are then screened in the laboratory for the ability to reduce the growth of the pathogen before conducting seedling trials.

Adrienne Ryan

The ecological impact of dust emitted from Cowal Gold Mine (CGM).

I aim to determine the likely provenance of an aeolian component in the topsoil surrounding Cowal Gold Mine (CGM); and to assess the current and future ecological impact of these aeolian materials. Findings from this work may potentially benefit the ecosystem surrounding CGM, and those ecosystems adjoining mines elsewhere in regional Australia. Ideally this work will contribute towards the generation of appropriate EIL’s for soil in rural and ecologically sensitive areas.

Samual Player

Reconstructing the Angkorian Channel Network

I am working on an ancient water management system at Angkor, Cambodia. In the 1950's it was proposed that mismanagement of the water resource supplied by irrigation channels resulting in reduction in the required rice production. My research is essentially trying to demonstrate whether this hypothesis holds any water. Using the sediment distribution and cross-sectional dimensions of the channels in hydrological models I am solving an archeological problem, plus providing a benchmark to compare contemporary concepts of 'sustainability'.

Jessica Redding

Medical Imaging

"Although I was learning a specific field of medical imaging, the course involved common classes for all disciplines, which allowed me to broaden my knowledge of each modality. The classes were also much smaller than what I was used to, so there was more interaction between students and staff. Throughout the course we undertook four blocks of clinical placements which helped reinforce the theory we were being taught in class. The clinical placements are great because they have the potential to lead to a Professional Development Year position at the end of the course."

Vidya Perera

Ethnic differences in CYP1A2 activity

My project aims to look at ethnic differences in CYP1A2 enzyme activity between people of Indian and European origin. CYP1A2 is responsible for the metabolism of numerous antipsychotic and antidepressant medications whilst also being involved in the metabolic conversion of carcinogenic compounds. The project will look at all aspects of ethnicty including genetics, environment and culture in order to pinpoint the factors responsible for drug response variability.

Primary Supervisor: Professor Andrew McLachlan
Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Annette Gross

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Lin Yuan

Participation by Miao Older People in the new Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (RCMS) in Sichuan Province, P.R. China

My area of research is in rural healthcare services and rural health policy in P.R. China. My PhD study will explore the barriers to, and opportunities for, enhancing the participation of older Miao people in the local development and implementation of the new RCMS. A principal objective in the process will be to analyze how the needs of older Miao people are identified and addressed by the scheme. The study will contribute to the effective development and implementation of health policy and services designed to enhance the health outcomes of marginalized, ethnic minorities in rural China.

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