Maria Gancheva

Dr Maria Gancheva

NHMRC Grant-Funded Researcher (A)

School of Animal and Veterinary Science

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

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

Maria is an ARC Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance (CEA-StAR) post-doctoral fellow and researcher in Associate Professor Danny Wilson's research laboratory on malaria and toxoplasma biology, at the University of Adelaide (School of Biological Sciences). Working closely with industry partner Neoculi Pty Ltd, she leads the drug development studies for treatment of parasitic diseases relevant to human and livestock health.

Maria’s research is focused on developing therapeutics with novel mechanisms of action against Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii parasites. Malaria, caused by mosquito-transmitted Plasmodium spp. parasites, results in over 200 million cases and over 600,000 deaths each year, with children under the age of five years most at risk. The related food and water-borne zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, estimated to chronically infect more than a third of the world’s population, poses serious health risks during pregnancy and to immunocompromised individuals. It also has a large economic impact on the livestock industry, costing Australia millions of dollars each year. Parasite resistance to anti-malarial drugs is spreading and the limited efficacy of toxoplasma drugs highlight the urgent need to develop new safe and effective drugs.

Maria graduated from The University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) degree, majoring in Biochemistry and Microbiology/Immunology, and an Honours degree in Health Sciences (First Class Honours), followed by a PhD in Medicine, within the Stroke Research Programme. Her PhD research focussed on the neurogenic potential of human dental pulp stem cells; potential candidates for cell-based therapies for treatment of neurological diseases, such as stroke. Her dissertation examined the ability to reprogram human dental pulp stem cells along the neural lineage using specific transcription factors and culture conditions, to enhance their neurogenic capacity, including their ability to replace lost neural cells.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2020 - ongoing Academic Researcher The University of Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2020 Award Florey Postgraduate Research Conference Peter Couche Foundation Prize The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2020 Award Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds Travel Grant Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds Germany -
    2019 Award South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute Annual Scientific Meeting Poster Session PhD Researcher Prize South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute Australia -
    2016 Scholarship Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship Australian Government Australia -
    2014 Scholarship Australian Neurology Research Summer Scholarship The Hospital Research Foundation Australia -
    2014 Achievement Faculty of Sciences Outstanding Academic Achievement Award The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2013 Achievement Faculty of Sciences Outstanding Academic Achievement Award The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2012 Achievement Faculty of Sciences Outstanding Academic Achievement Award The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2012 Award The University of Adelaide Principals’ Scholarship Award The University of Adelaide Australia -

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

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2016 - 2021 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia PhD in Medicine
    2015 - 2015 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours
    2012 - 2014 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science)

  • Research Interests
    Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Brain injury Cell Biology Developmental Biology Medical and Health Sciences Medical Parasitology Microbiology Neurosciences Veterinary Parasitology

2023, The University of Adelaide, School of Biological Sciences, Early and Mid-Career Researchers’ Association, Small Research Grant, $3000



2019, The Hospital Research Foundation, Project Grant, $22,500

2023, The University of Adelaide, Principles and Practices of Research (Advanced) II: academic mentor.

2002, The University of Adelaide, PAEDIATS3000: guest lecturer.

2018, The University of Adelaide, HLTH SC 3010 A Research Placement (Neuroscience): workshop demonstrator/tutor and assessor.

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2025 Co-Supervisor Defining how an abundant malaria merozoite surface protein shelters nearby vaccine candidates from protective antibodies Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Miss Kaitlin Renee Turland
    2025 Co-Supervisor Optimising lead drug delivery and potency for treatment of apicomplexan parasite infection Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Igor Blatov
    2024 Co-Supervisor Characterisation of Cross-Species Function for Malaria Merozoite Proteins 4 and 5 Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Jarryd Blake Tiu
    2024 Co-Supervisor Characterisation of novel drugs with therapeutic potential against the pathogenic parasites that cause malaria and toxoplasmosis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Emma Yuxin Mao

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Neuroscience Research Placement The University of Adelaide HLTH SC 3010 A and B Research Placement (Neuroscience Major) Other - Emily Squires and Miriam Dodd

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2024 - ongoing Secretary School of Biological Sciences Early- to Mid-Career Researchers Association The University of Adelaide Australia
    2018 - 2019 Member Connectome Project Adelaide The University of Adelaide Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2023 - 2023 Member Australian Society for Parasitology Australia
    2019 - 2020 Member Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS) Australia
    2018 - ongoing Member International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) -
    2015 - 2017 Member Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Australia
    2012 - ongoing Member Golden Key International Honour Society Australia

  • Consulting/Advisories
    Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
    2016 - 2016 World Stroke Organisation - - -
  • Position: NHMRC Grant-Funded Researcher (A)
  • Email: maria.gancheva@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Molecular Life Sciences, floor Fourth Floor
  • Room: 440
  • Org Unit: Molecular and Biomedical Science
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