Karissa Barthelson

Karissa Barthelson

School of Biological Sciences

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology


All types of neurodegenerative diseases share common molecular mechanisms responsible for disease etiology and progression. I am interested in understanding these shared mechanisms, as targeting the common problems could lead to new therapeutics to benefit more individuals who live with these diseases. 

To understand the shared molecular mechanisms, our research group utilises the small freshwater fish, the zebrafish, as a model organism. We introduce mutations into zebrafish which are equivalent to those which cause neurodegenerative diseases in humans (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Sanfilippo syndrome childhood dementia), and analyse their brains with very high molecular detail. 

 

  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2021 Award The Harold Woolhouse Prize The University of Adelaide Australia $1000
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2017 - 2021 University of Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy
    2016 - 2016 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Hons)
    2010 - 2015 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science
  • Postgraduate Training

    Date Title Institution Country
    2021 - 2022 Postdoctoral Research Officer University of Adelaide Australia

Genetics III

  • Guest lecturer. 2018-2019, 2021.
  • Practical Demonstrator. 2018-2021

Scientific Basis of Medicine II

  • Tutor. 2021
  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Co-Supervisor Creation & phenotypic characterisation of a novel zebrafish model of Zellweger syndrome, an untreatable peroxisomal disorder resulting in childhood dementia. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Lakshay Rattan
    2024 Co-Supervisor Molecular Genetic and Omics Analyses in Neurodegenerative Disease Research Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Xinya Wang
    2024 Co-Supervisor Investigating the role of dihydroceramide desaturase in the brain using zebrafish Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Anqi Wang
    2024 Co-Supervisor Investigating early molecular Drivers of neurodegeneration by modelling Parkinson's disease in Zebrafish Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Angel Grace Allen
    2022 Co-Supervisor Investigating Alzheimer's disease and MPS III mutant gene using Zebrafish and Drosophila genetic models Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Kaijing Xu

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