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Dr Hannah Brown

Hannah Brown
Postdoctoral Fellow
Adelaide Medical School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Dr. Hannah Brown is a Robinson Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellow and is under the mentorship of Associate Professor Jeremy Thompson and Professor Sarah Robertson. She gained her PhD from the University of Adelaide and took up international postdoctoral posts in both France (INRA) and the United States (Baylor College of Medicine). Her interests lay in the fields of epigenetics and metabolism, and in particular the changing epigenetic landscape of the early embryo. She is particularly interested in how the embryo responds to physiological and pathological environmental cues, including in vitro culture, hyperglycaemia (diabetes) and inflammation (infection). Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which these cues are translated into an altered epigenetic backdrop is the key question her growing team are addressing. She is passionate about science communication and is currently a SA Young Tall Poppy.

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Dr Hannah Brown

Dr. Hannah Brown is a Robinson Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellow and is under the mentorship of Associate Professor Jeremy Thompson and Professor Sarah Robertson. She gained her PhD from the University of Adelaide and took up international postdoctoral posts in both France (INRA) and the United States (Baylor College of Medicine). Her interests lay in the fields of epigenetics and metabolism, and in particular the changing epigenetic landscape of the early embryo. She is particularly interested in how the embryo responds to physiological and pathological environmental cues, including in vitro culture, hyperglycaemia (diabetes) and inflammation (infection). Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which these cues are translated into an altered epigenetic backdrop is the key question her growing team are addressing. She is passionate about science communication and is currently a SA Young Tall Poppy.

✓ Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD — email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Hannah Brown is an early career researcher establishing herself in the field of reproductive metabolism, oxygen biology and epigenetics following two international postdoctoral posts.  During two international post-doctoral positions, she honed her skills in the fields of metabolism and genetics/genomics and is establishing herself in the Reproductive Epigenetics field since returning to Australia.  Her research focuses on mechanisms by which the pre-implantation embryo alters its internal dialogue in response to environmental changes (diabetes, infection, culture, oxygen), altering the transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes to establish the trajectory of the embryo, and the resultant offspring.  This research provides critical understanding into the mechanisms for the intergenerational transmission of disease (diabetes and obesity), and has direct implications for understanding the stress associated with generating embryos in vitro, as well as for providing the basis for emerging developments to assisted reproductive technologies (in vitro culture, oxygen, haemoglobin). 

Appointments

Date Position Institution name
2012 Postdoctoral Fellow University of Adelaide
2010 - 2012 Postdoctoral Associate Baylor College of Medicine
2009 - 2010 Postdoctoral Associate Postdoctoral Associate, L’Institut National de la Recherché Agronomique (INRA)

Awards and Achievements

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2016 Invitation Global Young Scientist Summit National Research Foundation Singapore —
2015 Award Executive Dean's ECR Research Excellence Award University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences Australia 1000
2015 Award South Australian Young Investigator Award Women's and Children's Hospital — 5000
2015 Award South Australian Young Investigator Award (People’s Choice) Women's and Children's Hospital Australia 1000
2015 Award ECR Collaborative Travel Award Society for Reproductive Biology Australia 1500
2014 Recognition South Australia Young Tall Poppy Australian Institute of Policy and Science Australia —
2012 Award I’m A Scientist! Get me out of here, Australia — Australia 1000

Education

Date Institution name Country Title
2005 - 2009 University of Adelaide, Discipline of Medicine Australia Docor of Philosophy
2004 - 2004 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science, Honours (First Class; 1A)
2001 - 2003 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science)

Journals

Year Citation
2018 Robertson, S., Chin, P. -Y., Femia, J., & Brown, H. (2018). Embryotoxic cytokines-Potential roles in embryo loss and fetal programming. Journal of reproductive immunology, 125, 80-88.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2018 Brown, H., Green, E., Tan, T., Gonzalez, M., Rumbold, A., Hull, M., . . . Thompson, J. (2018). Periconception onset diabetes is associated with embryopathy and fetal growth retardation, reproductive tract hyperglycosylation and impaired immune adaptation to pregnancy. Scientific reports, 8(1), 2114-1-2114-13.
DOI Scopus1
2017 Brown, H., Dunning, K., Sutton-McDowall, M., Gilchrist, R., Thompson, J., & Russell, D. (2017). Failure to launch: aberrant cumulus gene expression during oocyte in vitro maturation. Reproduction, 153(3), R109-R120.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC2
2017 Akison, L., Andraweera, P., Bertoldo, M., Brown, H., Cuffe, J., Fullston, T., . . . Schjenken, J. (2017). The current state of reproductive biology research in Australia and New Zealand: core themes from the Society for Reproductive Biology Annual Meeting, 2016. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 29(10), 1883-1889.
DOI
2017 Brown, H., Cruz, M., & Mol, B. (2017). Social media is essential for research engagement: FOR: Facilitating stakeholder engagement is key!. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 124(6), 902.
DOI
2017 Zohora, N., Kandjani, A., Orth, A., Brown, H., Hutchinson, M., & Gibson, B. (2017). Fluorescence brightness and photostability of individual copper (I) oxide nanocubes. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 16905-1-16905-8.
DOI
2016 Thompson, J., Brown, H., & Sutton-McDowall, M. (2016). Measuring embryo metabolism to predict embryo quality. Reproduction Fertility and Development, 28(2), 41-50.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC5
2016 Moran, L., Spencer, L., Russell, D., Hull, M., Robertson, S., Varcoe, T., . . . Rodgers, R. (2016). Research priorities for fertility and conception research as identified by multidisciplinary health care practitioners and researchers. Nutrients, 8(1), 35-1-35-8.
DOI Scopus1
2016 Fernandez, R., Marino, J., Varcoe, T., Davis, S., Moran, L., Rumbold, A., . . . Moore, V. (2016). Fixed or rotating night shift work undertaken by women: implications for fertility and miscarriage. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, 34(2), 74-82.
DOI Scopus8 WoS5 Europe PMC6
2016 Ross, M. D., Dunning, K. R., Ritter, L. A., Thompson, J. G., & Brown, H. M. (2016). Insulin impacts cumulus oocyte complex maturation and early embryo development in vitro. CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, 84, 48.
2016 Russell, D., Gilchrist, R., Brown, H., & Thompson, J. (2016). Bidirectional communication between cumulus cells and the oocyte: old hands and new players?. Theriogenology, 86(1), 62-68.
DOI Scopus19 WoS16 Europe PMC15
2016 Kyle, S., Saha, P., Brown, H., Chan, L., & Justice, M. (2016). MeCP2 co-ordinates liver lipid metabolism with the NCoR1/HDAC3 corepressor complex. Human Molecular Genetics, 25(14), 3029-3041.
DOI Scopus9 WoS7 Europe PMC6
2016 Tan, T., Ritter, L., Whitty, A., Fernandez, R., Moran, L., Robertson, S., . . . Brown, H. (2016). Gray level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM) to assess microstructural and textural changes in pre-implantation embryos. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 83(8), 701-713.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC2
2015 Sutton-McDowall, M., Purdey, M., Brown, H., Abell, A., Mottershead, D., Cetica, P., . . . Thompson, J. (2015). Redox and anti-oxidant state within cattle oocytes following in vitro maturation with bone morphogenetic protein 15 and follicle stimulating hormone. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 82(4), 281-294.
DOI Scopus20 WoS20 Europe PMC12
2015 Russell, D., Brown, H., & Dunning, K. (2015). ADAMTS proteases in fertility. Matrix Biology, 44-46, 54-63.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC6
2015 Dunning, K., Watson, L., Zhang, V., Brown, H., Kaczmarek, A., Robker, R., & Russell, D. (2015). Activation of mouse cumulus-oocyte complex maturation in vitro through EGF-like activity of versican. Biology of Reproduction, 92(5), 116-1-116-10.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC3
2015 Thompson, J., Brown, H., Kind, K., & Russell, D. (2015). The ovarian antral follicle: living on the edge of hypoxia or not?. Biology of Reproduction, 92(6), 153-1-153-6.
DOI Scopus15 WoS14 Europe PMC11
2015 Brown, H., Anastasi, M., Frank, L., Kind, K., Richani, D., Robker, R., . . . Thompson, J. (2015). Hemoglobin: a gas transport molecule that is hormonally regulated in the ovarian follicle in mice and humans. Biology of reproduction, 92(1), 26-1-26-10.
DOI Scopus10 WoS8 Europe PMC4
2015 Kind, K., Tam, K., Banwell, K., Gauld, A., Russell, D., Macpherson, A., . . . Thompson, J. (2015). Oxygen-regulated gene expression in murine cumulus cells. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 27(2), 407-418.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2014 Sen, P., Dharmadhikari, A., Majewski, T., Mohammad, M., Kalin, T., Zabielska, J., . . . Stankiewicz, P. (2014). Comparative analyses of lung transcriptomes in patients with alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins and in foxf1 heterozygous knockout mice. PLoS One, 9(4), e94390-1-e94390-10.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC6
2014 Brown, H., Fabre Nys, C., Cognié, J., & Scaramuzzi, R. (2014). Short oestrous cycles in sheep during anoestrus involve defects in progesterone biosynthesis and luteal neovascularisation. Reproduction, 147(3), 357-367.
DOI Scopus8 Europe PMC5
2014 Frank, L., Sutton-McDowall, M., Brown, H., Russell, D., Gilchrist, R., & Thompson, J. (2014). Hyperglycaemic conditions perturb mouse oocyte in vitro developmental competence via beta-O-linked glycosylation of Heat shock protein 90. Human Reproduction, 29(6), 1292-1303.
DOI Scopus11 WoS9 Europe PMC8
2014 Scaramuzzi, R. J., Oujagir, L., Menassol, J. B., Freret, S., Piezel, A., Brown, H. M., . . . Fabre Nys, C. (2014). The pattern of LH secretion and the ovarian response to the ‘ram effect’ in the anoestrous ewe is influenced by body condition but not by short-term nutritional supplementation. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 26(8), 1154-1165.
DOI
2014 Brown, H., & Russell, D. (2014). Blood and lymphatic vasculature in the ovary: development, function and disease. Human Reproduction Update, 20(1), 29-39.
DOI Scopus14 WoS15 Europe PMC10
2013 Buchovecky, C., Turley, S., Brown, H., Kyle, S., McDonald, J., Liu, B., . . . Justice, M. (2013). A suppressor screen in Mecp2 mutant mice implicates cholesterol metabolism in Rett syndrome. Nature Genetics, 45(9), 1013-1022.
DOI Scopus76 Europe PMC60
2013 Care, A., Diener, K., Jasper, M., Brown, H., Ingman, W., & Robertson, S. (2013). Macrophages regulate corpus luteum development during embryo implantation in mice. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 123(8), 3472-3487.
DOI Scopus52 WoS45 Europe PMC36
2012 Dunning, K., Watson, L., Sharkey, D., Brown, H., Norman, R., Thompson, J., . . . Russell, D. (2012). Molecular filtration properties of the mouse expanded cumulus matrix: controlled supply of metabolites and extracellular signals to cumulus cells and the oocyte. Biology of Reproduction, 87(4), 1-10.
DOI Scopus12 WoS13 Europe PMC10
2011 Johnson, L., Fabre Nys, C., Chanvallon, A., François, D., Fassier, T., Menassol, J. B., . . . Scaramuzzi, R. J. (2011). The effect of short-term nutritional supplementation and body condition on the pituitary and ovarian responses of anoestrous ewes to the “ram effect”. Journal of Veterinary Science & Technology, S2(001), 1-10.
DOI
2010 Everaert, N., Willemsen, H., Hulikova, A., Brown, H., Decuypere, E., Swietach, P., & Bruggeman, V. (2010). The importance of carbonic anhydrase II in red blood cells during exposure of chicken embryos to CO2. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 172(3), 154-161.
DOI
2010 Brown, H., Robker, R., & Russell, D. (2010). Development and hormonal regulation of the ovarian lymphatic vasculature. Endocrinology, 151(11), 5446-5455.
DOI Scopus23 WoS22 Europe PMC19
2010 Brown, H., Dunning, K., Robker, R., Boerboom, D., Pritchard, M., Lane, M., & Russell, D. (2010). ADAMTS1 cleavage of versican mediates essential structural remodeling of the ovarian follicle and cumulus-oocyte matrix during ovulation in mice. Biology of Reproduction, 83(4), 549-557.
DOI Scopus67 WoS61 Europe PMC52
2010 Scaramuzzi, R., Brown, H., & Dupont, J. (2010). Nutritional and Metabolic Mechanisms in the Ovary and Their Role in Mediating the Effects of Diet on Folliculogenesis: A Perspective. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 45, 32-41.
DOI
2007 Dunning, K., Lane, M., Brown, H., Yeo, C., Robker, R., & Russell, D. (2007). Altered composition of the cumulus-oocyte complex matrix during in vitro maturation of oocytes. Human Reproduction, 22(11), 2842-2850.
DOI Scopus45 WoS42 Europe PMC32
2006 Brown, H., Dunning, K., Robker, R., Pritchard, M., & Russell, D. (2006). Requirement for ADAMTS-1 in extracellular matrix remodeling during ovarian folliculogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Developmental Biology, 300(2), 699-709.
DOI Scopus60 WoS59 Europe PMC44
2005 Brown, H., Pritchard, M., & Russell, D. (2005). Early ovarian follicle dysgenesis in a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs type 1 (ADAMTS-1) null mice. Reproduction Fertility and Development, 17(9), 87.
DOI

Conference Papers

Year Citation
2015 Brown, H., Tan, T., & Thompson, J. (2015). Metaboloepigenetics: providing alternative hypotheses for regulation of gene expression in the early embryo. In Animal Reproduction Vol. 12 (pp. 437-443). Brazil: Brazilian College of Animal Reproduction.
WoS2
2008 Russell, D., Brown, H., Alvino, E., & Robker, R. (2008). Involvement of blood and lymphatic angiogenesis in folliculogenesis and ovulation. In BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION Vol. 78 (pp. 79). Kona, HI: SOC STUDY REPRODUCTION.
DOI
2006 Russell, D. L., Brown, H. M., Dunning, K. R., Pritchard, M. A., & Robker, R. L. (2006). Ovarian folliculogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are dependent on ECM remodelling by the protease ADAMTS-1.. In BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION (pp. 109). Univ Nebraska Med Ctr, Omaha, NE: SOC STUDY REPRODUCTION.

Conference Items

Year Citation
2014 Brown, H., Frank, L., & Thompson, J. (2014). Hyperglycaemia: A new player in oocyte epigenetics. Poster session presented at the meeting of ANIMAL REPRODUCTION SCIENCE. Quebec, CANADA: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV.
DOI
Date Project/ No. Investigators Funding Body Amount
2016 How periconception hyperglycaemia disturbs early life events Brown HM and Thompson JG Robinson Research Institute Investment for Success 17,000
2015 Inflammatory cytokines as causal agents in peri-conception programming of offspring health Robertson SA, Thompson JG and Brown HM NHMRC Project Grant 585,000
2015 A multi-faceted approach to understanding the consequences of diabetes in early pregnancy Brown HM, Breen J, Nottle M, Dunning KR, Gatford KA Robinson Research Institute Innovation Seed Funding 25,000
2015 Do psychosocial attributes and lifestyle behaviors moderate associations of job-related stress and cardiometabolic risk factors among residents of South Australian farming communities Dollman J, Smith A, Parfitt G, Fennell K, Dorian J, van Kessel G, Wheeler S, Turnbull D, Brown H, McDougall C Sansom Institute, UNISA 10,000
2015 Concurrent validity and feasibility of ecological momentary assessment for characterising stress and depression among South Australian farmers Dollman J, Smith A, Parfitt G, Wheeler S, Turnbull D, Brown H, McDougall C Sansom Institute, UNISA 9,000
2014 Investigating new mechanisms regulating transcription in the pre-implantation embryo Buckberry S, Searle I, Bent S, Thompson JG Robinson Research Institute Innovation Seed Funding 25,000
2014 Novel mechanisms regulating placental dysfunction in pre-eclampsia Andraweera P, Brown HM, Roberts C, Buckberry S Robinson Research Institute Innovation Seed Funding 25,000
2014 Novel mechanisms regulating intergenerational transmission of diabetes Brown HM and Thompson JG Robinson Research Institute Investment for Success 30,000
2014   Brown HM Robinson Research Institute Career Development Award 50,000
2011 Evaluating metabolic and endocrine abnormalities in Rett Syndrome: Neurology meets systems physiology Brown HM and Justice MJ Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) 15,000
Date Role Course
2014 - current  Lecturer

Research Project in Reproduction III (Health Sciences)
2014 - current  Lecturer

School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health Hons (Health Sciences)
2011 - 2012 Lecturer Genetics; 1st and 2nd Year Medical Course, BCM, USA

 

Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2018 Co-Supervisor Engaging Young Consumers in Research Relating to their Reproductive Health Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Sophie Kedzior
2017 Co-Supervisor Examining the Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicines to Manage Pregestational and Gestational Diabetes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Cheow Yuen Tan
2016 Co-Supervisor Functional Role of Haemoglobin in the Pre-Implantation Embryo Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Megan Lim
2016 Co-Supervisor Long non-coding RNAS mediate hormone action and oocyte maturation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Doan Thao Dinh
2016 Co-Supervisor Non-reproductive uses of Zonae Pellucida Master of Philosophy (Medical Science) Master Full Time Avishkar Saini

Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2015 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Novel Functions of Natriuretic Peptides in Mammalian Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Ryan David Rose

Committee Memberships

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2016 - ongoing Chair School of Medicine Early/Mid-Career Researcher Committee University of Adelaide Australia
2016 - ongoing Member School of Medicine Research Committee University of Adelaide Australia
2015 - ongoing Chair Epigenetics Consortium of South Australia (EpiCSA) Inc — Australia
2015 - ongoing Member Society for Reproductive Biology — Australia
2014 - ongoing Member Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Honours Committee University of Adelaide Australia
2014 - ongoing Representative Society for the Study of Reproduction — United States
2014 - ongoing Member NHMRC — Australia
2014 - ongoing Member New Frontiers in Reproduction Conference — —
2013 - 2015 Member School of Pediatrics & Reproductive Health Research Committee University of Adelaide Australia
2013 - ongoing Representative School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health University of Adelaide Australia
2013 - ongoing Member Young Investigator Award Women's & children's Hospital Australia
Position
Postdoctoral Fellow
Phone
83138183
Email
hannah.brown@adelaide.edu.au
Fax
8313 4099
Campus
North Terrace
Building
Helen Mayo South Building, floor 2
Room Number
2 22
Org Unit
Paediatrics and Reproductive Health

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