Associate Professor BIOTECHNOLOGY
CHAIR, SCIENCE EQUITY AND DIVERSITY
ABOUT ME
I am an Associate Professor in Biotechnology at the University of Technology Sydney. I am a passionate teacher, researcher and the Chair of Science Equity and Diversity Committee. I am a strong advocate for women in STEM, which stems from my personal experiences and having being involved with Athena SWAN initiatives for the past 10 years, both in the UK and now in Australia. The research program I lead, aims to develop better monitoring strategies and treatments for cardiovascular disease in women during and post-pregnancy. Hence, my research is also aligned to my passion for gender equality hence it is focused on women's health spanning from cardiovascular pregnancy complications, diabetes, cardiovascular disease to women's cancer. The underlying themes of my research program are angiogenesis, vascular development and stem cell signaling.
EDUCATION
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Women's health
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Pregnancy, diabetes, cardiovascular health, breast and ovarian cancer
2014 - 2016
Queen's University Belfast, United Kingdom
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and Teaching
Placental and vascular in vitro platforms
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Developing innovative 3D bioprinted and microfluidics, organoid and multicellular platforms for elucidating mechanisms and development of new treatments for preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
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The role in placental development
Mechanisms of therapeutic effect in preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease
Extracellular vesicles
2D and 3D co-culture placental models
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2006 - 2007
University College London, United Kingdom
Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice
2009 - 2010
Queen's University Belfast, United Kingdom
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy
2010 - 2014
Queen's University Belfast, United Kingdom
PhD in Molecular Biology
Novel cardiovascular and heart disease mechanisms and treatments
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Mechanisms and biomarkers for prediction, diagnosis and treatment in the presence and absence of diabetes
Digital health for high-risk pregnancies
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Mobile-phone based connected digital platform for real-time monitoring of pregnant women
2001 - 2005
King's College London, United Kingdom
Master in Pharmacy
Preeclampsia
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Mechanisms and biomarkers for prediction, diagnosis and treatment, 3D in vitro organoid and spheroid models