Faculty of Health 6

Doctor of Philosophy

Ahuja, Taniya Suresh

Thesis Title

Uncovering Non-Canonical Epigenetic Mechanisms in the Context of the PI3K Pathway in Breast Cancer and ACE2 in COVID-19

Supervisors

• Adjunct Professor Sudha Rao (Principal Supervisor)
• Professor Erik Thompson (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Michelle Melino (External Supervisor)
• Dr Rajiv Khanna (External Supervisor)
• Dr Wen Juan Tu (External Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor David Waugh (External Supervisor)

Citation

Kinases, receptors, and epigenetic enzymes have roles beyond their traditional functions, influencing metabolism, cell migration, and gene regulation. This thesis explores non-canonical functions of PI3K and ACE2 in breast cancer and COVID-19 respectively. It shows that dual inhibition of the PI3K-mTOR pathway suppresses cancer stem-like cells, reduces metastatic potential, and enhances tumour immune visibility. In parallel, the research reveals a novel nuclear role of ACE2, where specific epigenetic modifications on ACE2 limit SARS-CoV-2 persistence in immune cells and confer protection. These findings uncover new molecular vulnerabilities and therapeutic strategies for treating breast cancer and viral infections.

Ayala Pintos, Camila

Thesis Title

Characterisation of the Mucosal-Associated Microbiome in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Supervisors

• Professor Gene Tyson (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Simon McIlroy (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Joan Engelberts (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Peter Sternes (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Julie Davies (External Supervisor)

Citation

Australia has one of the highest incidence rates of IBD in the world. Despite available treatments, there is no effective therapy for long-term remission. Growing evidence supports that dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is a key factor in the progression of IBD. However, the underlying mechanisms driving the observed microbial disparities between IBD patients and healthy controls remain poorly understood. To address this problem, this project implemented multiple strategies to analyse biopsy and faecal samples in the context of health and disease.

Hajighasemi, Saeideh

Thesis Title

Effects of Subtropical and Temperate Grass Pollen on Innate Inflammatory Responses in Airway Epithelium of Patients with Allergic Respiratory Disease

Supervisors

• Professor Janet Davies (Principal Supervisor)
• Professor Kirsten Spann (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

People with hay fever and asthma often react strongly to grass pollen, and thunderstorm asthma highlights how severe these reactions can be; yet how pollen interacts with the airway lining remains poorly understood. This project developed a system to make pollen aerosols that mimics natural breathing, and examined how temperate and subtropical grass pollens affect airway cells from teenagers with allergies. The findings demonstrated that pollen type and airway barriers shape the epithelial inflammatory responses. Understanding the effects of subtropical grass pollens, which are increasing with climate change, is vital for predicting future allergy risks and guiding new treatment strategies.

Jackson, Alex

Thesis Title

Design of a Humanised, Dual Domain, Antifibrinolytic and Anti-Inflammatory Protease Inhibitor

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Natalie Pecheniuk (Principal Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Jonathan Harris (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis presents the development of a novel inhibitor to prevent excessive blood loss during invasive surgery. Engineered from the human protein Bikunin and inspired by the benchmark drug Aprotinin, the inhibitor showed strong clinical promise by effectively blocking the key enzyme responsible for blood clot degradation. This was achieved through the completion of a variety of computer simulations and laboratory experimentation. The results generated from this thesis highlighted the novel Bikunin inhibitor’s strong potential for further clinical study.

Joyce, Georgina

Thesis Title

Metabolic Diversity of Candidatus 'Methanoperedenaceae': An Archaeal Family Mediating Anaerobic Methane Oxidation in Diverse Terrestrial Environments

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Simon McIlroy (Principal Supervisor)
• Professor Gene Tyson (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Yosephine Gumulya (External Supervisor)

Citation

This research focused on members of the archaeal family Methanoperedenaceae, a group of anaerobic methanotrophs (ANME) found worldwide that play a key role in reducing methane emissions from natural environments. By combining  multi-omics, microbial enrichment, and synthetic biology approaches, the study revealed remarkable metabolic flexibility and uncovered novel respiratory strategies. These findings show that Methanoperedenaceae likely connect methane oxidation to multiple biogeochemical cycles, expanding our understanding of their ecological importance. The work also provides new insights into the evolution of this microbial lineage and highlights its significance in global carbon cycling and climate change.

Lee, Dana

Thesis Title

Neuroinflammation and Brain Immune Cell Dysfunction in Toxoplasma gondii infections

Supervisors

• Dr Samantha Dando (Principal Supervisor)
• Adjunct Associate Professor Anthony White (Associate Supervisor)
• Adjunct Associate Professor Anthony White (External Supervisor)
• Professor Kenneth Beagley (Mentoring Supervisor)

Citation

This project explores how long-term infection with a common parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, affects the neuroinflammatory responses and immune cell dysfunction in the brain. In mice, the infection caused persistent low-level neuroinflammation and pathologies within the retina. Although the retina is often considered a window into the brain, the retinal changes did not necessarily reflect the level of brain inflammation. Using human brain immune cells, it was found that carrying Alzheimer’s disease risk genes displayed diminished immune responses with higher intracellular parasite levels. Overall, these findings suggest that chronic infections may exacerbate brain inflammation and potentially contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.

Matin, Farhana

Thesis Title

The Biomarker and Therapeutic Potential of MicroRNAs in Prostate Cancer

Supervisors

• Professor Jyotsna Batra (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Varinder Jeet (Associate Supervisor)
• Distinguished Professor Judith Clements (External Supervisor)

Citation

Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths in men worldwide. The current method of prostate cancer diagnosis, the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test, might lead to over-diagnosis and over-treatment. Therefore, identification of alternative biomarkers capable of early detection and distinguishing between indolent and aggressive disease, and therapeutic targeting of such biomarkers might enable individualised therapeutic management of patients. MicroRNAs, a class of small RNA species regulating gene expression, offer a viable option as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets due to their altered expression in cancers. This thesis explored the biomarker and therapeutic potential of microRNAs in prostate cancer.

Sharar, Nowshin

Thesis Title

Identification of Capsular Polysaccharides Biosynthesis Genes Outside the K Locus in Acinetobacter baumannii Genomes

Supervisors

• Dr Samantha Dando (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Johanna Kenyon (Associate Supervisor)
• Ruth Hall (External Supervisor)

Citation

Bacterial surface polysaccharide is an important therapeutic target for the critical priority pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii. This study investigated surface polysaccharide-producing genes in multidrug-resistant A. baumannii clinical strains. Using a whole-genome approach, three novel enzymes that influenced their polysaccharide structures were identified in viral genetic material in the studied strains. These genes were widely distributed across various clinical and environmental species and shown to modify the bacterial surface layer without affecting growth. The findings in this study facilitate the improvement of bacterial polysaccharide detection tools and enhance our understanding of how phages influence bacterial surface polysaccharides.

Vandermeide, John

Thesis Title

Examining G9a as a Target in Breast Cancer Metastasis and Treatment Resistance

Supervisors

• Adjunct Professor Sudha Rao (Principal Supervisor)
• Professor Erik Thompson (Associate Supervisor)
• Riccardo Dolcetti
• Dr Roberta Mazzieri (External Supervisor)
• Dr Michelle Melino (External Supervisor)
• Dr Wen Juan Tu (External Supervisor)

Citation

This project was a step forward in expanding the role of epigenetic inhibitors in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). It examined the unexplored role of G9a’s isoforms in cancer and showed the development of a novel inhibitor that was able to block G9a’s activity in TNBC. This has shown the potential of new therapeutic avenues that could be applied in breast cancer and highlighted critical drivers behind G9a’s role in cancer progression.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Biomedical Science

• SEBASTIAN, Christy Maria

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Anatomical Sciences)

• BEHLULI, Anesa
• DEMPSEY, Alina May-Lee
• DUPRIEZ, Madelyn
• EVANS, Hayley Ann
• GRAHAM, Alexandra Jess
• HAYWARD, Malakylin Justice James Connors
• JOHNSON, Emma Cate Alexandra
• LILLICRAP, Sophie Grace
• LUKIN, William Featherstone
• MCGUINNESS, Amy Jennifer
• ROSE, Ella
• RUSSELL, Leah June
• SAKELLARIS, Daniel Ryan
• TAN, Harvard

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Cell and Molecular Biotechnology)

• CHEUNG, Kaitlin Pui Han
• HILL, Katherine Sarah
• HOUSLEY, Gabriela Gimeno
• JOSEPH, Jada Erin
• LAWSON, Matthew
• MATSA, Scarlett Rain
• MEDCALF, Finch
• OWENS, Rebecca Heather
• PHAN, Thi Mai Tram
• VERVETJES, Luc Alexander
• WOODALL, Riley Craig

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Human Biochemistry)

• NGUYEN, Khang Thanh

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Human Physiology)

• ABDULKAREEM, Nadeen Ahmed
• CLARK, Kiku
• DRAPER, Ruby Grace
• FORD, Joshua Charles
• HOGAN, Luke David
• JANSEN, Sophia Camilla
• JOHNSON, Hayden Raynor
• LEE, Jessie
• MINGOA, Mirielle Aislinn Santos
• MUAN SANG, Huai
• MYERS, Alannah
• TYNAN, James
• YAKANDAWALA LIYANAARACHCHILAGE, Dimathi Rochana Yakandawala
• YOUNG, Eva Charlotte Mary

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Infection and Immunity)

• ABGHARI, Mohanna
• CRACKNELL, Caleb
• DE BRUYN, Scarlett Milan
• FOURMILE, Alyssa Isobell
• HARRIES, Kieran Stewart
• LAVITA, Ivy Dianne Olivar
• LAWRY, Imogen Elizabeth
• O'LEARY, Tea Helena
• O'NEILL, Breanna Victoria
• QI, Kevin Anderson

Bachelor of Biomedical Science – with Distinction

• HURREY, Isabella Mae

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Anatomical Sciences) – with Distinction

• ELLIS, Olivia May
• HER, Yaeseo
• HUNT, Rachel Pamela
• JARDINE, Danielle Tara
• LARSEN, Daniel Jude
• MCLACHLAN, Jordan Antonia
• NEWLANDS, Aedan James
• PITCAIRN, Caitlyn Lauren
• SIMPSON, Ann Elise
• SOLARI, Rachel Margaret Connor
• SQUIRES, Gracie Jane
• WATT, Danielle

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Cell and Molecular Biotechnology) – with Distinction

• BATTY, Joshua John
• BERTOLACCI, Rosina
• BHAGAT, Ayra
• GUGER, Amanda
• JAPNEET KAUR,
• LESSELLS, Alessandra Kathleen
• MACLEAN, Zarah Jade
• MCKAY, Isabelle Margaret
• PARTRIDGE, Madeline Grace
• POLLETT, Oak Florence
• RAWLINSON, Maya Indigo
• WAMSLEY, Jay Oliver

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Human Biochemistry) – with Distinction

• FORBES, Rebecca
• HARDMAN, Ethan Anthony
• WANG, Ruth

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Human Physiology) – with Distinction

• ALIZADA, Rahila
• ATHERTON, Sam
• BERGE, Adam Supakorn
• CASTIGLIONE, Roman David
• EAGLESTONE, Ashleigh Frances
• FERRETT, Charlotte Sarah
• FOSTER, Mitchell
• HAMMOND, Belinda Annette
• HUTTON, Tia Waimarama
• HYNDES, Kaleb James
• LAWSEN, Chelsie
• MCCARTHY, Kiara Ellen
• MCKENNARIEY, Aidan Phillip
• MOSS, Jordan Alexandra
• MUHIIRE, Gad
• SANDHU, Navroop
• SANTUCCI, Lauren Lloys
• SCROOBY, Joshua
• SHAHIDAH,
• WAHEDAH,

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Infection and Immunity) – with Distinction

• DAVEY, Eleanor Louise
• MALONE, Lucy Louise
• QUIGG, Nicole Therese
• WITTMANN, Charlotte Paige

Bachelor of Vision Science

• ATKINSON, Robert Bruce
• BASRA, Harman Singh
• CHIA, Blanche Phuy Ngee
• CHIU, Tzu-Hua
• GOH, Ryan Matthew Heng Wei
• KEWAL, Shakti Krishan
• KHENG, Chloe Teresa
• KHOO, Nicholas Chin Hoe
• KHOR, Xin Yi
• KNIGHTS, Stephen Michael
• KWAH, Wen Jun Andy
• LIM, Zi Xing Rachel
• MOSAYEBI DEHKORDI, Zahra
• NANDAGOPAL, Varsha
• NGUYEN, Tung Quoc
• PHAM, Nhat Le Minh
• RICKETTS, Tanushk Thomas
• SIRIAMNAT, Tanyatorn
• SOO, Lisa-Marie See-Kay
• TRAN, Ngoc My
• WEE, Gloria
• WONG, Naomi Hui Ying
• YUN, Hyesung

Bachelor of Vision Science – with Distinction

• BREW, Nathan Malcolm
• CHEANG, Mathew
• CHEN, Coco
• CHHETRI, Manish
• CHIEM, Kelvin
• CHIU, Chor Yin Ariel
• CHOU, San-Ti
• CHUONG, Michelle
• CODERO, Dorothy John Echavia
• DORAN, Skye Lee
• FORSTER, Jana Mary
• FRANKLIN, Phoebe Alicia
• HIKKADUWA WIDANARALLAGE, Senanthi Savidula
• HIROVANAA, Mai Tran
• HO, Mia
• JAP, Jayden Johnathon
• KIM, Jiwoo
• KYLE, Seth Robert
• LEADBETTER, Kirra Louise
• LEE, Claudia Youjin
• LEE, Daniel Sangbeom
• LEE, Hyewon
• LEE, Juheon
• LIN, Ming Chen
• LIU, Chak Lam
• MCARDLE, Ella Beth
• NGUYEN, Jessica
• NGUYEN, Wilson
• NIKOLIC, Teodora
• PARSONS, Daniel
• PATEL, Arya Mukeshbhai
• PHAM NGUYEN, Jo-Ann Marie
• PHAN, Jenny Lan Truc
• PILLAY, Dashreya
• STEWART, Clare Rhiannon
• SU, Lien-Hsin
• SU, Samuel Hwai-En
• SWINDALE, Isabelle Chloe
• TAN, Anthony Songchhay
• TRAN, Quang Anthony
• TRAN, Tommy
• TRUONG, Huan Pham
• TSAI, Shawn Shang-En
• VO, Christopher Vinh-Phuoc Thanh
• VU, Tri Duc
• WOODFORD, Stella Marine

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Anatomical Sciences)/Bachelor of Business (International Business)

• AUNG, Erin Nay Myo

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Cell and Molecular Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Business (International Business)

• DRURY, Lachlan Robert Norman

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Cell and Molecular Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Business (Management)

• KOYIPURAM JOHN, Sharon

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Cell and Molecular Biotechnology) – with Distinction/Bachelor of Business (Economics) – with Distinction

• MARTIN, Carl Robin

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Human Biochemistry) – with Distinction/Bachelor of Business (Behavioural Economics) – with Distinction

• TOOLEY, Chaqana Rose

Bachelor of Biomedical Science – with Distinction/Bachelor of Business (International Business) – with Distinction

• BISHOP, Imogen

Bachelor of Biomedical Science – with Distinction/Bachelor of Business (Management) – with Distinction

• NICOL, Danielle Daphne
• VAN WELZEN-FULBROOK, Jazmin Caia

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Anatomical Sciences) – with Distinction/Bachelor of Mathematics (Operations Research) – with Distinction

• SEABY, Michaela Ashlee

Bachelor of Biomedical Science – with Distinction/Bachelor of Mathematics (Operations Research) – with Distinction

• HOANG, Minh Tuan

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) – Second Class Honours – Division A

• ENRAGHT-MOONY, Bailey

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) – First Class Honours

• BOYES, Archer John
• HANSEN, Benjamin Mark
• JENNINGS, Nathan William
• KLINGE, Samantha Rae
• MORO, Emily Ann
• PYLE, Lauren
• ROTHWELL, Olivia Joyce
• RUDOWSKI, Jordyn
• STUCKEY, Hannah Maree
• TO, Vi Ha
• WILKINS, Tyler Morgan

QUT Medal recipients

The QUT Medal is an award made in recognition of academic excellence. To qualify for consideration for the award, a student must have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence throughout the entire bachelor degree program and have passed all subjects at a uniformly high standard.

In 2025, the QUT Medals are awarded to:

• Amanda Guger
• Daniel Jude Larsen
• Mitchell Foster
• Rachel Pamela Hunt
• Sam Atherton

Postgraduate

Master of Optometry

• AGGARWAL, Urvi
• DANG, Thi Hang Nga
• KIM, Jaehee
• KIM, Sun Joo
• LEE, Jeremy Marcus
• LEE, So Yeon
• MOHAMMED, Tarza Aziz
• MOORE, Matilda Mary
• PHAM, Huy
• PIYARATNE, Seneli Dinara
• PROTTOY, Prodipto

Master of Optometry – with Distinction

• ALMOND, Olivia Rose
• BARNES, Georgia Louise
• CHANG, Tsai-Jou
• COWAN, Chloe Margaret
• ENGLER, Skye Maree
• FUN, Shanisse Hsin Ee
• GUESMI, Qutayba
• HARRIS, Baxter James
• HEALD, William Seamus
• HOANG, Thi Thao Nguyen
• HOFFMANN, Grace Madelyn
• HOLDEN, Joseph Thomas
• HSU, Angelina
• HUI, Ho Ching
• HUXTABLE, Meagan Elizabeth
• KAVUR, Madeleine Hope
• KIM, Hiro Konagaya
• KITSON, Rebecca
• KOH, Fang Ting
• LE, Khanh Thy Thi
• LEE, Anna Yeji
• LIN, Christine Ruei An
• MASSA, Ebony Adele
• MING, Jayden Zi Bin
• NAJEEB, Farah Bassam Najeeb
• NG, Valerie
• NGUYEN, Catherine Tran Bao
• NGUYEN, Oanh Loan
• NGUYEN, Thien Ngan
• NGUYEN-TRAN, Huan-Dinh
• OH, Ji-Seok
• PELL, James Edward
• SOLWA, Farah
• STANKOVIC, Valentina
• SU, Jennifer Ying Xun
• THEVASAGAYAM, Chanaah Anne
• THOMPSON, Erika Danielle Suenaga
• TRUONG, Thang Van
• VEGA, Caseyjen Angelique Banados
• VERSCHAEREN, Louise
• VU, Nguyen Bao Ngoc
• WANG, Alicia Wei-Yun
• XIAO, Julie Hing Lan
• ZHANG, Jingjing
• ZHANG, Xiaowei

Master of Philosophy

• NAPIER, Sophie Jade
• TOLLAND, Jessica Eva