Megan Lim

Research Interests

Animal Reproduction Biological Sciences Cell Biology Cell Metabolism Gene and Molecular Therapy Gene Expression Medical and Health Sciences Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine Reproduction Reproductive Biology

Ms Megan Lim

ARC Grant-Funded Researcher A

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

College of Health

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

I am a postdoctoral researcher working at the interface of reproductive biology and advanced optical imaging. Since 2021, I have held a joint postdoctoral appointment with the Reproductive Success Group, led by A/Prof Kylie Dunning, and the Centre of Light for Life, led by Prof Kishan Dholakia. My work bridges reproductive health and biophotonics, contributing to the development of innovative imaging approaches for understanding and improving fertility outcomes.
 
In addition to my research, I hold a joint role as Centre Coordinator for the Centre of Light for Life, where I play a strategic leadership role in engagement and outreach. In this capacity, I manage the Centre operations and adminstrative responsibilities. Through my role, I have helped drive national and international collaborations and coordinated major scientific symposia and workshops to strengthen interdisciplinary research networks.
 
My research focuses on developing non-invasive optical methods to assess oocyte and embryo health, addressing key challenges in reproductive medicine. I integrate tools and concepts from biophotonics, mechanical engineering, and cell biology to advance both fundamental understanding and translational applications in assisted reproduction. My doctoral research investigated the role of haemoglobin in healthy oocyte development, and I continue to have a strong interest in the molecular mechanisms underlying reproductive physiology, including oxygen-regulated and HIF-mediated gene expression, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide signalling.

My research is primarily in the field of Reproductive Biology, with an emphasis on improving oocyte and embryo health and developing novel, non-invasive techniques for assessing their quality. As part of the Reproductive Success team under A/Prof Kylie Dunning, my work has a strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating diverse physics-based techniques to address key challenges in reproductive science. To this end, I have contributed to the development of novel optical modalities for assessments of reproductive health, such as optical tweezers to measure the mechanical properties of the cell matrix surrounding growing oocytes (Campugan et al., 2025), and an events-based camera for tracking sperm motilty (Monteiro et al., 2025). These studies highlight the synergy between the two disciplines and demonstrate my continued involvement in cross-disciplinary innovation. 

Date Position Institution name
2021 - ongoing Postdoctoral Researcher University of Adelaide
2020 - 2020 Research Academic University of Adelaide
2020 - 2020 Research Academic University of Adelaide

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2019 Award Best presentation in the field of reproduction, pregnancy or child health Robinson Research Institute Australia -

Language Competency
Chinese (Mandarin) Can read, write, speak and understand spoken
English Can peer review

Date Institution name Country Title
2016 - 2020 University of Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy
2015 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)
2014 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Sciences)

Year Citation
2025 Campugan, C., Perrella, C., Lim, M., Tan, T. C. Y., Schartner, E., Arita, Y., . . . Dunning, K. (2025). Microrheology of the cumulus-oocyte matrix using optical tweezers. Journal of Physics: Photonics, 7(2), 10 pages.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2025 Peterkovic, Z., Upadhya, A., Perrella, C., Bajraktarevic, A., Bautista Gonzalez, R. E., Lim, M., . . . Dholakia, K. (2025). Optimizing image capture for low-light widefield quantitative fluorescence microscopy. APL Photonics, 10(3), 031102-1-031102-28.
DOI Scopus3 WoS6
2025 Monteiro, G. B., Lim, M., Tan, T. C. Y., Upadhya, A., Liang, Z., Agnew, B., . . . Dholakia, K. (2025). A Neuromorphic Camera for Tracking Passive and Active Matter with Lower Data Throughput. Laser and Photonics Reviews, 19(19), e00106-1-e00106-10.
DOI
2024 Chow, D. J. X., Tan, T. C. Y., Upadhya, A., Lim, M., Dholakia, K., & Dunning, K. R. (2024). Viewing early life without labels: optical approaches for imaging the early embryo†. Biology of Reproduction, 110(6), 1157-1174.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC4
2022 Campugan, C. A., Lim, M., Chow, D. J. X., Tan, T. C. Y., Li, T., Saini, A. A., . . . Dunning, K. R. (2022). The effect of discrete wavelengths of visible light on the developing murine embryo. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 39(8), 1825-1837.
DOI Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC10
2022 Yagoub, S. H., Lim, M., Tan, T. C. Y., Chow, D. J. X., Dholakia, K., Gibson, B. C., . . . Dunning, K. R. (2022). Vitrification within a nanoliter volume: oocyte and embryo cryopreservation within a 3D photopolymerized device. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 39(9), 1997-2014.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC4
2022 Yagoub, S. H., Lim, M., Tan, T. C. Y., Chow, D. J. X., Dholakia, K., Gibson, B. C., . . . Dunning, K. R. (2022). Correction to: Vitrification within a nanoliter volume: oocyte and embryo cryopreservation within a 3D photopolymerized device.. J Assist Reprod Genet, 39(10), 2435.
DOI
2021 Lim, M., Thompson, J. G., & Dunning, K. R. (2021). HYPOXIA AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: hypoxia and ovarian function: follicle development, ovulation, oocyte maturation. Reproduction, 161(1), F33-F40.
DOI Scopus64 WoS62 Europe PMC51
2021 Lim, M., Brown, H. M., Rose, R. D., Thompson, J. G., & Dunning, K. R. (2021). Dysregulation of bisphosphoglycerate mutase during in vitro maturation of oocytes. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 38(6), 1363-1372.
DOI Scopus9 WoS10 Europe PMC8
2019 Lim, M., Brown, H. M., Kind, K. L., Breen, J., Anastasi, M. R., Ritter, L. J., . . . Dunning, K. R. (2019). Haemoglobin expression in in vivo murine preimplantation embryos suggests a role in oxygen-regulated gene expression. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 31(4), 724-734.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC6
2019 Lim, M., Brown, H. M., Kind, K. L., Thompson, J. G., & Dunning, K. R. (2019). Hemoglobin: potential roles in the oocyte and early embryo. Biology of Reproduction, 101(2), 262-270.
DOI Scopus15 WoS11 Europe PMC6

2025 Robinson Research Institute Step Funding

2021 Professor Donald Brook Cheek Fund Recipient

2019 Travel Awards for International Conference

  • Adelaide Medical School Research Travel Award
  • Robinson Research Institute Travel Grant
  • Centre for Nanoscale and Biophotonics Adelaide Node Travel Support 

2016 Adelaide Graduate Centre Post-Graduate Research Scholarship

2024-

PhD Co-supervisor, Shan Li, (current) PhD student

Honours Co-supervisor, Georgina Hui-Ling Varley, (current) Honours student 

Honours Co-supervisor, Wenyu Li, Honours student completion (received 1st Class)

Lecturer, Reproduction and Clinical Embryology, Assisted Reproductive Technologies Research Integrated Learning 12-week intensive embryology course (HLTH SC 3016)

 

2023

Honours Co-supervisor, Shan Li, Honours student completion (received 1st Class)

Mentor, School of Biological Sciences: Principles and Practise in Science Course (PPR2)

 

2021

  • National Youth Science Forum Outreach Program

Laboratory Practical Demonstrator – Provided introductory laboratory demonstration of basic embryology for 60 Year 12 students.

  • Year 12 Work Experience

Supervisor – Coordinated hands-on laboratory experiments for Year 12 student.

 

2020               

  • Centre for Nanoscale and Biophotonics Teaching Skills Training Program

Lecturer – Presented in a mock lecture series to a panel of experienced teaching staff from different Australian universities.

  • Year 10 Work Experience

Supervisor – Coordinated hands-on laboratory experiments for Year 10 student.

 

2019 

  • Aquinas College Senior Mentoring Program

Senior Mentor – Mentored 3rd year Molecular Biosciences student over four meetings.

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2024 Co-Supervisor Investigate the impact of discrete wavelengths of light on preimplantation embryo development. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Shan Li
2024 Co-Supervisor Investigate the impact of discrete wavelengths of light on preimplantation embryo development. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Shan Li

Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
2023 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Investigating the role of IVF procedures and genetics on embryo metabolism University of Adelaide - Honours - Wenyu Li
2023 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Investigating the impact of discrete wavelengths of light on mouse pre-implantation embryo development University of Adelaide - Honours - Shan Li

Date Role Membership Country
2019 - ongoing Member Society for the Study of Reproductive Biology Australia
2019 - ongoing Member Society for Reproductive Biology Australia

Date Topic Presented at Institution Country
2019 - 2019 Understanding the Role of Hemoglobin in Oocyte Maturation - Society for the Study of Reproduction Conference 2019 United States

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