Having been trained as a Biochemist and establishing a strong desire to work in the area of protein dysfunction and disease pathogenesis I was fortunate to obtain a research position in the Lysosomal Diseases Research Unit at the Women’s in Children’s Hospital. I became involved in research to understand the molecular mechanisms of lysosomal disease pathogenesis and developed diagnostic assays. During this time, I became particularly interested in the neurological dysfunction associated with these diseases, in particular Sanfilippo Syndrome, and commenced a research program looking at the role of altered neurotransmission and disease progression, having been awarded an NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Research Fellowship. At the completion of my fellowship I obtained a research-teaching academic position at the University of South Australia.
Serendipity and discussions with Professor Sandra Orgeig have evoked a new research program investigating the molecular mechanisms that may impact respiratory dysfunction in Sanfilippo Syndrome but may also contribute to other lysosomal diseases; underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to both neurological and respiratory dysfunction. This includes a continuing collaboration with Associate Kim Hemsley (Flinders University) and co supervision of PhD students. During my research career thus far, I have had the privilege to attend and present our research findings at several international MPS and related disease conferences and interacted with many amazing patients and their families, clinicians and scientists. This truly reinforces to me why I continue to do what I do.
As a senior scientist in the Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease research group I am also been involved in projects focussed on the endosome-lysosome system and cancer pathogenesis.