Katja Hummitzsch

Dr Katja Hummitzsch

NHMRC Postdoctoral Research Officer

South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Dr. Katja Hummitzsch is a Senior Research Associate in the Ovarian Developmental Group of Prof. Raymond Rodgers. Her current work focuses on novel aspects of ovarian development [characterisation of a fetal precursor cell (GREL cell), the role of stroma in the development of the ovarian surface epithelium], and the fetal origins of polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as the relationship between steroidogenesis, oxidative stress and antioxidants in bovine granulosa cells. 

Her research findings have led to a new model of how the mammalian ovary develops and to the identification of a novel ovarian precursor cell for granulosa and surface epithelial cells, called Gonadal Ridge Epithelial-like (GREL) cell. YouTube video showing the formation of the ovary as a comic:

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Research Coordinator University of Adelaide
    2009 - ongoing Senior Research Associate The University of Adelaide
    2001 - 2002 Part-time Tutor for First Year Biochemistry Degree Leipzig University of Applied Sciences

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2021 Fellowship Career Development Fellowship Robinson Research Institute Australia $100,000
    2021 Award Seed Grant And Project Support CRE WHiRL Australia $13,250
    2021 Award Building On Ideas Robinson Research Institute Australia $5,000
    2013 Award Cook Medical Travel Award - - $5,000
    2006 Award 4th Prize at the Biotechnology Symposium - Germany -

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    German Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2005 - 2009 University of Leipzig Germany Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry
    2000 - 2005 University of Leipzig Germany German Diploma Biochemistry

  • Certifications
    Date Title Institution name Country
    2000 Medical Technical Laboratory Assistant Medical School, Chemnitz Germany

  • Research Interests
    Animal Cell and Molecular Biology Animal Developmental Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Biochemistry and Cell Biology Cancer Biology and Clinical Oncology
Grants and Funding
2020

Robinson Research Institute Career Development Fellowship

CRE WHiRL Seed Grant and Project Support

Robinson Research Institute Building On Ideas Grant

$100,000

$13,250

$5,000
2013 Cook Medical Travel Award $5,000
2012

Robinson Institute Travel Grant

SRB Early Career Researcher Registration Subsidy

$900

$200
2011 Research Centre for Reproductive Health Travel Grant $500

 

Teaching
2016

3007MSC Histology for Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science [accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) and the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)], Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland; Lecture "Female Reproductive Tract" and Laboratory Demonstrating "H&E staining and tissue section evaluation"
2014 Research Project in Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Lecture "Presenting research results – figures, tables & text"

 

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2020 Co-Supervisor Meiotic Drive and Chromosome Segregation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Feng Tang

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Steroidogenesis, Reactive Oxygen Species and Female Reproduction Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Feng Tang
    2019 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Genetic and Fetal Origins of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Rafiatu Azumah
    2017 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Studies of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Candidate Genes and the Developing Fetal Ovary Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Menghe Liu
    2014 - 2019 Co-Supervisor The Development of Bovine Fetal Ovary and Its Relationship with Reproductive Disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Monica Dwi Hartanti

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2014 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Fibrillin 3 and its regulation during fetal ovarian development The University of Adelaide - Honours - Nicole Anne Bastian

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2019 - 2019 Member Organising Committee for New Frontiers for a Healthy Start to Life Conference Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2021 - ongoing Member Healthy Development Adelaide Australia
    2020 - ongoing Member Reproductive Health Australia Australia
    2018 - ongoing Member Faculty of 1000 United Kingdom
    2014 - 2015 Member International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease -
    2012 - ongoing Member Society of Reproductive Biology -
    2009 - 2010 Member Australian Society for Medical Research -

  • Editorial Boards
    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2015 - ongoing Editor Frontiers in Endocrinology Frontiers Switzerland

  • Offices Held
    Date Office Name Institution Country
    2021 - 2021 Postgraduate Coordinator (AHMS Precinct) The University of Adelaide Australia

  • Review, Assessment, Editorial and Advice
    Date Title Type Institution Country
    2019 - ongoing Human Reproduction Peer Review N/A -
    2019 - ongoing International Journal of Molecular Sciences Peer Review N/A -
    2018 - ongoing Animal Reproductive Science Peer Review N/A -
    2017 - 2017 Research Project Reviewer for Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences Thesis Review Griffith University -
    2017 - ongoing Theriogenology Peer Review N/A -
    2017 - ongoing Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces Peer Review N/A -
    2017 - ongoing Reproductive Health Peer Review N/A -
    2017 - ongoing Frontiers in Endocrinology, Section Genomic Endocrinology Peer Review N/A -
    2016 - ongoing American Journal of Physiology – Cell Physiology Peer Review N/A -
    2016 - ongoing Endocrinology Peer Review N/A -
    2015 - ongoing Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry Peer Review N/A -
    2015 - ongoing Cell & Tissue Research Peer Review N/A -
    2014 - ongoing BMC Developmental Biology Peer Review N/A -
    2014 - 2014 Review of submitted abstracts for 9th International Ruminant Reproduction Symposium, Japan Conference Review N/A -
    2014 - ongoing Honours Thesis Reviewer for Paediatrics and Reproductive Health Thesis Review The University of Adelaide -
    2014 - ongoing Molecular Human Reproduction Peer Review N/A -
    2012 - ongoing Reproduction, Fertility and Development Peer Review N/A -
    2010 - ongoing Reproduction Peer Review N/A -
    2010 - ongoing Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Peer Review N/A -
  • Position: NHMRC Postdoctoral Research Officer
  • Phone: 83133371
  • Email: katja.hummitzsch@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences, floor 5
  • Org Unit: Women's and Children's Health
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