Courtney Cross

Courtney Cross

Research Coordinator

Health and Medical Sciences Faculty Office

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Courtney is a Veronika Sacco Clinical Cancer researcher fellow working in the Supportive Oncology Research Group, within the School of Biomedicine and based at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). She was awarded a PhD in Medicine from the University of Adelaide in May 2023. Through her PhD, and in the years following, she has directed a program of research dedicated to understanding the pathophysiology of “chemobrain” (i.e. cognitive side effects of chemotherapy), identifying a novel mechanism by which the gut microbiota and its metabolites contribute to cognitive side effects.

I am a research-only postdoctoral research fellow working in the Supportive Oncology Research Group at SAHMRI. I was awarded a PhD in Medicine from the University of Adelaide in May 2023. Through my PhD, and in the 1.5 years following, I have directed a program of research dedicated to understanding the pathophysiology of “chemobrain” (i.e. cognitive side effects of chemotherapy), identifying a novel mechanism by which the gut microbiota and its metabolites contribute to cognitive side effects. To support my ongong research, I was recently awarded the Veronika Sacco Clinical Cancer Research Fellowship. 

Research Program: My current research program centres around translating my preclinical findings from the bench to the bedside, to develop predictive and preventative strategies for cancer treatment side effects, in particular chemobrain. Through my PhD, I generated first-of-its-kind data, identifying a novel mechanism by which the gut microbiota and its metabolites contribute to chemobrain. Specifically, I established that: i) the unique composition of the gut microbiota prior to chemotherapy can be used to predict the development of chemobrain, and ii) dietary fibre holds significant therapeutic potential in mitigating chemobrain. These novel findings have since formed the basis of two successful funding bids, ($126K from BioPlatforms Australia (Co-CI) and $50K from Tour De Cure (CIA), respectively), which support my current research program, centred around translating these findings, from the bench to the bedside, to reduce the psychosocial burden imposed by chemobrain and deliver truly meaningful benefits to the lives of people affected by breast cancer. Accordingly, I now oversee two separate clinical studies centred around: i) investigating how a highly accessible fibre supplement can alleviate chemobrain in women with breast cancer; and ii) identifying biomarkers, found in pre-treatment blood, stool or saliva, capable of predicting the development of chemobrain. 

 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2018 - 2019 Research Technician Flinders University

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2019 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD in Medicine
    2017 - 2017 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)
    2013 - 2016 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences

I have secured more then $700,000 in research funding as CIA or Co-CI ($450K through a competitive fellowship, $176K Cat3 and $650K in last 1.5 years), an impressive feat relative to opportunity (<1.5yrs post-PhD). This has included the competitive Veronkia Sacco Clinical Cancer Research Fellowship, $126K from BioPlatforms Australia (2024, Co-CI) and $50K from Tour De Cure (2023, CIA), to support my current research program.

Tutor

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology 1A
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology 1B
  • Principles of Human Health and Disease

Practical Demonstrator

  • Principles of Applied Clinical Anatomy
  • Human Biology 1A

Online Tutor

  • Foundations of Human Biology, University of South Australia

 

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2025 Co-Supervisor Investigating the effect of fibre supplementation on improving chemotherapy toxicity outcomes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Linh Hang To
    2023 Co-Supervisor Neuropsychological complications of chemotherapy and the involvement of the endocannabinoid system. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Olivia Marie Bellas

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2017 - 2017 Co-Supervisor High-fat diet effect on motoneurone survival University of Adelaide Bachelor of Health Science (Honours Honours Full Time Ms. Katherine Tweedie
  • Position: Research Coordinator
  • Email: courtney.cross@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Helen Mayo South
  • Org Unit: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
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External Profiles