Researchers

Professor Nicholson is a Clarivate Highly Cited Scholar who has published more than 800 peer-reviewed papers on molecular aspects of systems medicine with multiple international prizes and honorary chairs in 12 Universities and is an elected Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences.

Professor Holmes is a distinguished computational biologist, a Clarivate Highly Cited Scholar, ARC Laureate Fellow and Professor of Phenomics. Professor Holmes’ current work is progressing research on maternal and infant health, liver and gastrointestinal disease and metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and dementia.

Professor Ryan is one of Australia’s leading Parasitologists, with interests in enteric parasites, such as Cryptosporidium and blood born parasites such as Trypanosomes. Her work has been used as the basis for informing public health policy decisions and as such, she works closely with public bodies across Australia.

Professor Wilton, Foundation Professor of Molecular Therapy at Murdoch University, has the dual roles of Director of Murdoch's Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics and Director of the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science. In 1991, he embarked on a research journey that would culminate in the development of life-changing drugs for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, alongside research partner Professor Sue Fletcher.

Associate Professor Hamid Sohrabi has spent the last 15 years of his career investigating healthy ageing. As a psychologist and a clinical neuroscientist, he has extensive expertise in coordinating large multi-disciplinary teams and leading roles in national and international studies. Dr Sohrabi’s current research is focused on preclinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and preventive interventions to promote healthy ageing in older adults.

Professor Gardiner has 25 years of computational modelling experience. His expertise is modelling cell-tissue interactions and inter- and intra-cellular communication networks. This requires multidisciplinary expertise beyond biomedical science, and includes material science, mechanics and transport processes (from chemical and mechanical engineering), control systems and applied mathematics.

Dr Watson is a molecular biologist with a longstanding research interest in the Hepatitis C virus, with a focus on molecular immunology and antivirals. Dr Watson leads a team of postdoctoral scientists, postgraduate laboratory staff, computer scientists and hardware specialists dedicated to genomics research that improves clinical outcomes for patients with immunological and infectious disease ailments.

Dr Chopra leads research and development for Murdoch’s Genomics Core Research Facility and has established a world class, state-of-the-art accredited laboratory specialising in molecular genomics. She has an extensive track record in driving the development of novel, leading-edge techniques and analysis tools utilised by academic and industry collaborators throughout the world.

Professor Fletcher is a molecular biologist and Senior Principal Research Fellow who has been integral in pioneering therapeutic antisense oligomer development in partnership with Professor Steve Wilton. Together their group created the first two FDA approved therapeutic treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Professor Fletcher’s research interest area has expanded into inherited blindness and neurodegenerative disease. She is a passionate and involved patient and community advocate, as well as a dedicated volunteer for support organisations.

Dr Veedu has a dual appointment as Head of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Research within CMMIT and the Perron Institute. Dr Veedu received his PhD from the University of Queensland after completing his MSc degree from Griffith University. He has over 14 years experience in basic and translational research in the field of oligonucleotide therapeutic development, and published over 90 articles in reputed journals. His research is focused on developing novel oligonucleotide-based drugs and diagnostics for tackling rare inherited and acquired diseases including solid cancers and Psoriasis.

Professor Akkari is a pharmacogeneticist and neuromuscular geneticist with 28 years research experience in Australia and the US. He leads his dually based research group at CMMIT and the Perron Institute in developing new strategic approaches to identifying genetic mechanisms and mutations in neurological diseases, with the aim of developing new and personalised treatments for motor neurone disease.

Joining CMMIT and the Perron Institute from Estonia in 2018, Professor Kõks’ research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. He also researches into, and has vast experience in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoporosis and osteosarcoma. Professor Kõks is a highly published researcher and is an active member of several international research consortia.

Dr Learmonth is an accredited physiotherapist and the Academic Chair for Sport and Exercise Science at Murdoch, specialising in physical activity research in neurological conditions. Her research agenda has examined feasibility and efficacy-based interventions for enhancing adherence to physical activity in MS, influences of exercise on symptom management, outcome measurement in MS, and clinical exercise promotion in MS.

Clinical Professor Kermode is a Consultant Neurologist and Head of the Demyelinating Diseases Research at CMMIT and the Perron Institute. Highly awarded and published, Allan’s broad training incorporates not only clinical neurology, clinical immunology, electrophysiology and neuroradiology, but also several years of virology, cellular immunology and molecular biology bench work.

Clinical Professor Baker is a Consultant Haematologist and Head of the Blood Disorder Research group at CCSM and Chairman of the Perth Blood Institute. Highly awarded and published, Professor Baker is a passionate proponent of bench to bedside translational research for the past 30 years. He leads several international and domestic clinical trials and clinical research in blood disorders including thrombosis, leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and haemophilia.

Dr Tiao is a molecular and cellular biologist and biochemist with 15 years research experience in Switzerland and Australia. Dr Tiao is the laboratory and scientific lead for the Blood Disorder research group at CCSM and senior molecular biologist at the Perth Blood Institute. His research focuses on identifying high-value nucleic acid biomarkers in rare and difficult to drug disorders in a thrombosis and haemostasis setting. In addition, he is also the clinical trials manager for biobank samples.

Professor Needham is a Consultant Neurologist seeing neuromuscular and myositis patients at Fiona Stanley Hospital, the Perron Institute and IIID at Murdoch University. Professor Needham also leads the dually based Myositis Research Group at CMMIT and the Perron Institute. She is passionate and well versed in all things Inclusion Body Myositis, having a fantastic rapport with her patients and colleagues.

Dr Rea is a Senior Research Fellow and mid-career researcher with 10 years postdoctoral experience. Her research is focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying dementia and neurodegeneration. Dr Rea uses innovative analytical techniques to demonstrate changes to key biochemical, cellular and structural components of neurons in response to genetic risk factors.

Dr Brown’s research is primarily focused on understanding the role of lifestyle in maintaining a healthy ageing brain and preventing cognitive decline and dementia. Her previous work has identified a role of physical activity in reducing toxic brain proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease, enhancing cognitive function, and maintaining brain volume.

Dr Peiffer’s research is focused on understanding the role of exercise in maintaining a healthy brain in older adulthood. He also supervises a number of Honours, Masters and PhD students who are undertaking research in areas ranging from intervals training in elite athletes to the influence of exercise on chronic disease.

Dr Loo is the Premier’s Early to Mid-Career Fellow. A qualified pharmacist and emerging research leader, she is spearheading research in personalised nutrition to deliver a new knowledge of dietary influence on human metabolism and the microbiome.