Researcher biography

Overview

Sarah works within a large and vibrant research team known as the ‘Calcium Signalling in Cancer Research Laboratory’ that consists of postdoctoral scientists, PhD students and honours students. Sarah’s research focuses on identifying and validating new targets for drug development in cancer, particularly breast cancer. Students and postdoctoral scientists in her lab use techniques including molecular biology (real time RT-PCR, cloning, subcloning), cell culture, protein work and bioassays (absorbance and fluorescence).

Sarah offers a unique supervision experience and was awarded a UQ Excellence in Supervision award in 2007 for her contribution to PhD training. Her research group meets regularly and each year has a research retreat. Sarah’s past students have gone on to careers in academia, research, government, business and commercialisation.

Sarah’s students are encouraged to attend national and international conferences to present their work. Her previous students have furthered her team’s collaborative links with leading international researchers by completing part of their candidature overseas.

The Calcium Signaling in Cancer Research Laboratory publishes in key international journals including Nature Reviews Cancer and the Journal of Biological Chemistry. The laboratory is funded by bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Queensland Cancer Council and the Australian Research Council.

Current students and postdoctoral scientists have degrees from areas including Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology and Pharmacology.

Qualifications

  • Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors
  • Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership, The University of Queensland
  • PhD (Science), The University of Sydney
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours1), The University of Sydney