Chelsea Graham
Higher Degree by Research Candidate
School of Animal and Veterinary Science
Faculty of Sciences
My PhD research is an interdisciplinary project between the University of Adelaide’s School of Medicine and School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (SAVS). The basis of my research is to utilise dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) techniques employed in human neuro-regenerative research and apply them to the endangered Tasmanian devil.
Wild populations of the Tasmanian devil are currently endangered as a result of an aggressive and transmissible cancer of Schwann cell origin known as; Devil Facial Tumour (DFT). Schwann cells are the primary glial cell of the peripheral nervous system, these cells provide insulation and support to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system.
In order to better understand this Schwann cell derived tumour a population of healthy Schwann cells is required for comparative studies with DFT cells. In human research DPSCs have demonstrated an affinity for Schwann cell differentiation, my research explores this affinity in Tasmanian devil DPSCs (tdDPSCs). Producing tdDPSC-derived Schwann cells will enable further investigation into DFT biology, there is also the potential for diagnostic assay development as well as identifying possible therapeutic targets.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2017 - 2017 Practical Demonstrator - Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology III The University of Adelaide 2013 Supervisor Norwood Place Newsagency 2010 - 2014 Sales Assistant Munno Para Newsagency -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2016 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD 2012 - 2013 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Hons) -
Postgraduate Training
Date Title Institution Country 2014 - 2016 Volunteer laboratory assistant The University of Adelaide Australia -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2018 Graham, C., Kremer, K., Koblar, S., Hamilton-Bruce, M., & Pyecroft, S. (2018). Dental pulp stem cells - exploration in a novel animal model: the Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 14(4), 500-509.
2018 Speight, K., Hicks, P., Graham, C., Boardman, W., Breed, W., Manthorpe, E., . . . Woolford, L. (2018). Necropsy findings of koalas from the Mount Lofty Ranges population in South Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal, 96(5), 188-192.
Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC12014 Graham, C., Woolford, L., Johnson, L., & Speight, K. (2014). Age-dependent changes in gross and histological morphology of the thyroid gland in South Australian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Australian Journal of Zoology, 62(5), 360-365.
Nature Foundation SA Grant, 2012
Sir Mark Mitchell Research Foundation Grant, 2016
Hans-Jürgen and Marianne Ohff Research Grant, 2019
Guest Lecturer – Animal Biotechnology III
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus
Practical Demonstrator – Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology III
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus
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External Profiles
