Amanda Highet

Dr Amanda Highet

Senior Research Compliance Officer

Research Services

Division of Research and Innovation


As a researcher in the Placental Development Laboratory my work focuses on identifying the key regulators of trophoblast cell function and early placental development. 

During normal pregnancy there is extensive structural remodelling of high-resistance spiral arteries of the uterus into low-resistance, high-capacity vessels to permit adequate blood flow to the placenta.  A subpopulation of placental trophoblast cells, the extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVT), invade these maternal blood vessels where they replace the endothelial lining and degrade most of the musculo-elastic tissue in the vessel walls. The spiral arteries are plugged by invading endovascular EVTs to restrict blood flow and sustain a low oxygen environment of 1-2% oxygen, until the plugs are removed and maternal blood fills the intevillous space. I am investigating how the maintanance of the low oxygen environment promotes trophoblast invasion and differentiation early in the first trimester, and how the placenta responds to the oxidative stress associated with the onset of maternal blood flow. 

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2021 - ongoing Senior Research Compliance Officer The University of Adelaide
    2016 - 2022 Research Compliance Officer (Gene Technology) The University of Adelaide
    2011 - 2016 NHMRC Australian Biomedical Training Fellow University of Adelaide
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2007 - 2009 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    2002 - 2006 University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine

2011-2017 (part time from 2014) NHMRC Australian Biomedical Training Fellowship $290,032. Project title: Essential stages in the early development of the placenta and their role in preeclampsia

2016 Robinson Research Institute Travel Grant $550. To present at the Society for Reproductive Biology Conference, August 2016, Gold Coast, Australia

2015 Llewellin and Margaret Davey Travel/Skills Competency Award $2230. To present at the International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA) conference, September 2015, Brisbane, Australia

2012 Robinson Institute/School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health Travel Grant $750. To present at Society for Reproductive Biology Conference                                  

2011 Research Centre for Reproductive Health Travel Grant $500. To present at ANZPRA Satellite Meeting and the Society for Reproductive Biology Conference, and to attend the World Congress for Reproductive Biology, Cairns Australia

2007-2009 Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (UK) project funding $150,000. The role of novel toxins in the sudden infant death syndrome

2007-2009 Australian Postgraduate Award PhD Scholarship $20,427 pa. Bacterial Toxins and Genetic Variations in the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

2006 MS McLeod Departmental Research Fund $10,000. Bacterial toxins in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Research Project in Reproductive Health Tutorial- Presenting research results –figures, tables and text

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2013 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Hypoxia Induced HIF-1/HIF-2 Activity alters Trophoblast Transcriptional Regulation across Gestation Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Full Time Mrs Sultana Mahabbat-e Khoda
  • Position: Senior Research Compliance Officer
  • Phone: 83136105
  • Email: amanda.highet@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Rundle Mall Plaza, floor 3
  • Org Unit: Research Services

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