Kylie Dunning

Dr Kylie Dunning

Ext-Funded Research Fellow (D)

Robinson Research Institute

Division of Research and Innovation

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Kylie Dunning leads the Reproductive Success team within the Robinson Research Institute, the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, and the School of Biomedicine.

Kylie is a reproductive biologist who aspires to use safe, cutting-edge, light-based technologies (also referred to as photonics) to better understand the biology that underpins successful development of the oocyte (egg) and early embryo. With one-in-six Australian couples struggling to start a family without medical intervention, Kylie is committed turning her laboratory discoveries into impact for these couples, engaging early and often with clinical experts to address the greatest clinical challenges.

With a focus on how oocytes (eggs) and embryos create energy, Kylie pioneered the paradigm-shifting research describing the requirement for lipid metabolism by the oocyte and early embryo.

With a drive to see outcomes for patients, Kylie is now using this knowledge and expertise with cutting-edge imaging and diagnostic technologies, to deliver the next generation of tools for the fertility clinic, and agriculture industry. She is leading the way in the development of safe, non-invasive diagnostic technologies that will change the way fertility specialists and embryologists select the best eggs and embryos, which will ultimately improve the experience for all couples seeking fertility care.

Research Interests

In our team we use safe, cutting-edge, light-based technologies (also referred to as photonics) to better understand the biology that underpins successful development of the oocyte (egg) and early embryo. With one-in-six Australian couples struggling to start a family without medical intervention, we are committed turning our laboratory discoveries into impact for these couples, engaging early and often with clinical experts to address the greatest clinical challenges.

Research Team

We have a culturally and gender diverse team who are supportive and encouraging of each other. Our team consists of three post-doctoral researchers (Dr Megan Lim, Dr Tiffany Tan and Dr Erik Schartner), five post-graduate (Darren Chow, Carl Campugan, Annie Whitty, Tong Li and Ramses Bautista Gonzalez) and two Honours students (Shan Li and Wenyu Li).

Current Projects 

Title: Novel optical assessments of embryo development: can we pick the best embryo?

Project description: Increasingly, people are delaying starting a family until later in life. The expectation of conceiving children is often disrupted by infertility (1 in 6 Australian couples). Such a diagnosis can lead to reduced productivity, financial hardship, relationship breakdown and mental illness. Infertility is typically addressed by in vitro fertilization (IVF). Whilst IVF has seen major advancements, it still faces numerous challenges, most notably low success rates: only 18% of Australian and New Zealand initiated IVF cycles deliver a live birth. One of the reasons for the low success rate is the inability to select the healthiest embryo. In this project you will utilise cutting edge microscopy techniques combined with post-imaging assessments to better understand the pre-implantation embryo development period. You will be comparing normal healthy embryos with poor quality embryos: those which fail to complete the preimplantation period or lead to implantation failure or pregnancy loss. Our research is clinically relevant, and we are passionate about translating outcomes into the human IVF clinic and in agriculture. Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss further. 

Projects available for: Third Year / Honours / HDR
Location: Helen Mayo Building
Research project start: Semester 1 and 2
Special requirements: N/A

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Future Making Fellow University of Adelaide
    2021 - ongoing Director IVF Vet Solutions
    2020 - ongoing Chief Investigator ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
    2020 - 2023 The Hospital Research Foundation Fellow University of Adelaide
    2017 - 2019 ARC Senior Research Associate University of Adelaide
    2012 - 2017 ARC DECRA Fellow University of Adelaide
    2007 - 2011 NHMRC Research Associate University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2002 - 2003 Research Assistant Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2022 Award Rising Star Award Society for the Study of Reproduction United States -
    2020 Award Women's Excellence in Research Award Healthy Development Adelaide Australia -
    2020 Award Robinson Research Institute Directors Award The Robinson Research Institute Australia -
    2020 Award South Australian Tall Poppy of the Year (overall winner) Australian Institute for Policy and Science Australia -
    2019 Award Newcastle Reproduction Emerging Research Leader Award Society for Reproductive Biology Australia -
    2012 Award Most Outstanding Early Career Researcher Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Adelaide - $3000
    2010 Award First Place, Trainee Research Award Society for the Study of Reproduction United States -
    2010 Award First place, Young Investigator Award Women's and Children's Hospital Australia $10,000
    2010 Award Lalor Foundation Merit Award Lalor Foundation, Society for the Study of Reproduction United States -
    2007 Award Robert Seamark Postgraduate Award University of Adelaide Australia -
    2007 Award National Research Initiative (NRI) Merit Award United States Department of Agriculture, CSREES United States -

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2008 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy
    2002 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Honours)
    2001 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science

  • Research Interests
    Animal developmental and reproductive biology Cell Metabolism Fertility Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine Reproduction Reproductive Biology Reproductive medicine

2018 Vevo 3100 ultrasound biomicroscope for the Adelaide Biomed city precinct. Ian Potter Foundation Research Grant. Gatford K, Care A, Di Bartolo B, Robertson S, Roberts C, Thompson J, Robker R, Russell D, Hull M, Diener K, Schjenken J, Zhang B, Dunning K, Reynolds P, Bursill C, Tan J, Nicholls S, Verjans J, O'Hare Doig R, Bonder C, Moore E, Howarth G, Ricciardelli C, Lokman N, Mashtoub S, Corbett M ($ 360,000)

2017 Robinson Research Institute Engaging Opportunities Grant The story telling and science of pregnancy loss. CIA H. Brown CIB K Dunning CIC C Roberts ($18,000)

2017 SRB Early Career Researcher Collaborative Research Award ($1500)

2017Robinson Research Institute Career Development Fellowship. CIA: K. Dunning, ($60,000)

2015 Robinson Research Institute Innovation Seed Funding Program. CIA: H. Brown, CIB: M. Nottle, CIC: K. Dunning, CID: K. Gatford. Preventing and Alleviating Infertility: Enabling the best start in life ($25,000)

2012-2017 Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA). Biomimetic systems for species preservation and fertility restoration ($375,000). CI K. Dunning Grant ID: DE120100304

2012  Channel 7 Children’s Foundation Research Grant [state-wide], CIA: L. Wu, CIB: K. Dunning, CIC: R. Robker, CID: R. Norman.”The impact of lipotoxicity in the ovaries and oocytes of obese women on embryo health” ($48,000)

2011  WCH Foundation Research Project Grant, CIA K. Dunning CIB R. Robker, CIC L. Hull “Modulating Lipid Metabolism to Improve the Growth of Follicles and Oocytes in vitro” ($50,000)

2011 Channel 7 Children’s Foundation Research Grant [state-wide], CIA: K. Dunning CIB: R Robker, Grant ID 11410, $35,000

2009 The Robinson Institute Early Career Research Grant, University of Adelaide ($10,000)

2022                             Lecturer, Investigative Cell Biology (ANAT SC 3104)

2022                             Lecturer,  Principles of Human Health and Disease (HLTH SC 1005)

2014-2017                    Lecturer, Research Projects in Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide

2015                             Lecturer, Human Reproductive Health III, University of Adelaide

2010-2015                    Lecturer, Honours Program, School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health; University of Adelaide

2006-2007                    Tutor, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students, University of Adelaide

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Principal Supervisor Does cryopreservation induce aneuploidy in embryos? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Tong Li
    2022 Co-Supervisor Advanced Methods of Beam Shaping and Their Implementation in Multiphoton Microscopy Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Ramses Eduardo Bautista Gonzalez
    2020 Co-Supervisor Improving in vitro maturation of oocytes by bringing research together: can we get synergy? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Annie Louise Whitty
    2020 Principal Supervisor Utilising light and sound in Assisted Reproductive Technologies Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mr Carl Adrian Campugan
    2019 Principal Supervisor Chromosomal Abnormalities in the Female Gamete: Detection, Implications and Environmental Susceptibility Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Darren Jin Xiang Chow
    2017 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
    2018 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Towards Automation of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Suliman Hassan Suliman Yagoub
    2017 - 2020 Co-Supervisor The Role of Haemoglobin in Healthy Oocyte Development Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Megan Lim
    2017 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Optical imaging detects metabolic signatures associated with oocyte and embryo quality Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Cheow Yuen Tan

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2024 - ongoing Co-Chair Program Organising Committee Society for Reproductive Biology Australia
    2022 - 2025 Chair MS McLeod Research Fund Women's & Children's Hospital Research Foundation Australia
    2019 - 2022 Member Society for Reproductive Biology Committee Society for Reproductive Biology Australia
    2018 - ongoing Co-Chair Local Organising Committee Society for Reproductive Biology Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2023 - ongoing Member SPIE. The international society for optics and photonics Australia
    2007 - ongoing Member Society for the Study of Reproduction United States
    2005 - ongoing Member Society for Reproductive Biology Australia

  • Editorial Boards
    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2018 - ongoing Board Member Scientific Reports Nature Portfolio United Kingdom
  • Position: Ext-Funded Research Fellow (D)
  • Phone: 83131013
  • Email: kylie.dunning@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Helen Mayo South, floor 2
  • Org Unit: Medical Sciences
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