I am a metabolic researcher who heads the Cellular Bioenergetics Laboratory at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI). I completed a PhD in comparative physiology and biochemistry at the University of Wollongong. With the support of competitive fellowships I undertook postdoctoral studies in the area of mitochondrial metabolism and insulin resistance at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and subsequently established a lab focussed on mitochondrial bioenergetics at UNSW Sydney. I established my laboratory at VCCRI in 2022.

Research Focus

Every cell requires a constant supply of nutrients to provide the energy and ‘building blocks’ needed for cellular function and maintenance. Disruption of the fundamental processes involved in nutrient metabolism has a major impact on the fidelity and survival of cells and can ultimately precipitate disease. The goal of the Cellular Bioenergetics Laboratory is to understand how metabolic dysfunction at the whole-body, cellular and molecular level contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic disease and cancer, and to leverage this knowledge to identify and test potential new strategies to treat these conditions.

Education

BSc (Hons Class 1), University of Wollongong (1999)

PhD, University of Wollongong (2004)

Professional Experience

Lecturer, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Wollongong, Australia (2004)

Visiting Research Fellow, AstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal, Sweden (2006)

Visiting Research Fellow, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, USA (2007)

Research Officer/Senior Research Officer/Group Leader, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia (2005-2012)

ARC Future Fellow/Associate Professor, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney (2013-2018)

Professor and Director of Research, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney (2019-2021)

Faculty and Head Cellular Bioenergetics Laboratory, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (2022-)

Conjoint Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Health UNSW Sydney (2022-)

Honours and Awards

University Medal, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Science, University of Wollongong (2000)

Australian Postgraduate Award (2000-2003)

NHMRC Peter Doherty Postdoctoral Fellowship (2005-2007)

Scientific Travel Grant USA, Australian Academy of Science (2007)

NHMRC Career Development Award (2008-2011)

ARC Future Fellowship (2012-2016)

Dean’s Rising Star Award, UNSW Medicine (2013)

School of Medical Sciences Century Club - recognising 100 career publications (2015)

School of Medical Sciences Researcher of the year (2018)

UNSW Faculty of Medicine Researcher of the year (2018)

School of Medical Sciences HDR Supervisor of the year (2019)

Professional Activities

Associate Editor for Frontiers in Endocrinology Obesity Section

Editorial Board for American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism

Editorial Board for Biology

Member of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Panel for the Mito Foundation

Vice President of the Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society