Research Focus

My laboratory is in the School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences (BABS) at UNSW. Our research focuses on understanding the unique metabolism of cancer cells and how we can exploit this phenotype to selectively kill cancer cells using novel small molecules developed in my lab. We are also investigating how metabolic diseases like obesity promote cancer development and whether we can target obesity to improve patient response to cancer therapies.

Teaching

I am an Associate Fellow of Advance Higher Education (AFHEA) and convene the second-year course BIOC2181 (Fundamentals of Biochemistry). I also give lectures in BABS3151 (topic: Cancer Genetics), BIOC3271/3671 (topics: Molecular Approaches to Cancer Cell Biology, Human Cytoskeleton and Disease), BIOC3261 (topic: Cancer Metabolism), and BABS2011 (topic: Natural Products in Cancer Therapy). I lead the cancer themed lectures and practicals for first and second year students in the Faculty of Medicine & Health (MFAC1525: Ageing and Endings). I supervise PhD, Masters, honours, and undergraduate students in the Schools of BABS, Chemistry, and Biomedical Sciences. 

Engagement with community

Mr Jeff Cuff, a cancer research advocate, has been an active member of my laboratory since 2017 which led to co-authorship on our publication (Byrne et al, 2020 Redox Biology). My research highlighting the links between the endometrial microbiome and cancer was featured in the book ‘Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began’ by NHS midwife and best-selling author, Lead Hazard.

Engagement with Industry

As a previous participant in the MTP Connect Bridge Program (2020) and prior recipient of a Bridge Industry Fellowship (2021), I now serve as the UNSW representative on the Bridge Program steering committee. The Bridge Program is a national drug commercialisation training program for early and mid-career researchers.

Contribution to Profession

I review fellowship applications (Hope Funds for Cancer Research), NHMRC grants, HDR student theses, and manuscripts for Nature Communications, Science Advances, Cancer Research, Molecular Cancer Research, Gynecologic Oncology, Genes & Diseases, Cellular & Molecular Life Sciences, BMC, Cancers, and AJP Endocrinology & Metabolism.