Jennifer Saville

Jennifer Saville

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

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


Jennifer Saville is a scientific lead for SA Pathology's National Referral Laboratory for lysosomal and related disorders (https://www.wch.sa.gov.au/professionals/screening-and-testing/national-referral-laboratory). Jennifer specialises in biochemical assessment of substrate accumulation in these rare diseases. In particular, Jennifer has extensive experience in mass spectrometry which she not only utilises within the diagnostic laboratory but to answer important research questions behind the mechanisms of rare diseases. Jennifer has a particular interest in the brain and the events leading to neurodegeneration, looking for mechanisms which could be targeted by therapy.
Jennifer works under the auspices of Professor Maria Fuller, who is a leading expert in lysosomal storage and related disorders, and has enjoyed mentoring a number of placement, masters, honours and PhD students.

Working in rare diseases highlights the need for accurate and timely diagnosis to enable patients their best chance at receiving treatment. To address this, I am passionate about improving the diagnostic algorithm for lysosomal storage and related disorders. To date, I have lead the implementation of six new diagnostic tests which have improved the speed and accuracy of diagnosis. There is a lot more work to do in this space.

My other research passion is lipids in disease, in particular the role of lipids in neurodegeneration. While there is much work showing that lipids are altered, little research shows how this occurs and what impact lipid changes have on neurological decline.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2021 - ongoing Affiliate lecturer University of Adelaide
    2021 - ongoing Substrate Scientific Lead SA Pathology (at the Women's and Children's Hospital)
    2015 - 2020 Grant funded Scientist SA Pathology (at the Women's and Children's Hospital)
    2013 - 2015 Research Officer Women's and Children's Health Research Institute
    2012 - 2013 Mass Spectrometry Facility Manager University of Wollongong
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    University of Wollongong Australia PhD
    University of Wollongong Australia B. Biotech (Hons)
  • Research Interests

  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2022 - ongoing Representative Australian and New Zealand Societry for Mass Spectrometry Australia
    2007 - ongoing Member Australian and New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry Australia

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