Bench Side Story

PAEDIATRIC HAEMORRHAGE AND AIRWAY PROCEDURES With Associate Professor Shane George, Paediatric Emergency physician & Paediatric intensive care physician, Gold Coast University Hospital @GC_Health @qldhealth Queensland, Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Southport, Queensland, Australia | March 2026 Dr Shane George is a paediatric critical care physician working in paediatric emergency medicine and paediatric intensive care at Gold Coast University Hospital. He is the clinical lead for children’s critical care research for Gold Coast Health, and is a Senior Lecturer at The University of Queensland @UQ_News and Griffith University @Griffith_Uni . Associate Professor George is also an active clinician researcher on topics that span both emergency medicine and PICU practice including safety in emergency intubation, sepsis, haemostatic resuscitation in children and respiratory support therapies. He is a member of the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International collaborative (PREDICT) and the ANZICS Paediatric Study Group, collaborating on numerous multicentre projects. Associate Professor George’s research has been funded by Australia’s Emergency Medicine Foundation @emfresearch , Australian Government NHMRC @nhmrc and MRFF, the US based Thrasher Research Foundation. Source: Supplied and Gold Coast Health website SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact/

PARAMEDICINE WORKFORCE ACROSS AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND With Associate Professor Liz Thyer Associate Professor in Paramedicine Western Sydney University @westernsydneyu , Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia | March 2026 Liz Thyer is an Associate Professor in the Western Sydney University Paramedicine program and is passionate about innovations and excellence in health sciences teaching and learning. She was an advanced life support paramedic with Ambulance Victoria for 11 years including roles as a clinical instructor and peer support officer. She has previously worked at Victoria University with the Paramedic programs and at Deakin University in Learning Futures. She is an active member of the Australasian College of Paramedicine @ACParamedicine and is the inaugural chair of the ACP Professional Standards Committee and Education Committee. Her PhD was in physical anthropology, highlighting a continuing passion for anatomical studies, but her more recent research and HDR supervision focuses on the fields of health education, mental health, and paramedicine workforce issues. She is the chief investigator of the Australasian Paramedicine Workforce Survey, a three-year study providing the most comprehensive data exploring trends affecting the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand paramedicine workforce. Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact

TRIALS IN TREATING STIs, VACCINES AND LIPID LOWERING MEDICATIONS Dr Pi Lip Seet, Principal Investigator Paratus Clinical @ParatusClinical , Brisbane & Surgical Registrar Brisbane, Queensland, Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Brisbane | March 2026 Dr Pi Lip Seet graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, after completing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Newcastle. He has undertaken broad hospital-based training across Queensland and the ACT, with clinical experience in Emergency Medicine, General and Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Intensive Care and Coronary Care. Since joining Paratus Clinical Research in 2022, Dr Seet has served as both Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator across Phase I–IV industry-sponsored clinical trials. His research experience spans vaccines, immunology, cardiovascular and endocrine disease, respiratory medicine, gastroenterology, pain management, sleep medicine and adult psychiatry. He has been involved in multiple vaccine development programs, including RSV, influenza, COVID-19, herpes zoster and pneumococcal studies. Dr Seet maintains current Good Clinical Practice certification and advanced life support training. With a strong foundation in acute and procedural medicine, he is committed to delivering high-quality, ethical clinical research, ensuring participant safety while supporting the advancement of innovative therapeutic and vaccine programs. Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact/

THERAPY TO PREVENT HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA IN PEOPLE WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS Professor John Olynyk, Liver Specialist, Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals South Metropolitan Health Service, Western Australia & Associate Director, Clinical Engagement, Curtin Medical Research Institute @CurtinMRI , Curtin University @CurtinUni , Western Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Perth, Western Australia | February 2026 Professor John Olynyk is a Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist with over 30 years' experience, primarily at The Fiona Stanley & Fremantle Hospital Group. He planned the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Service for the Fiona Stanley Hospital and was Head Department from 2010 until 2020. Professor John Olynyk was appointed as Associate Dean and Head of the Medical Discipline at Curtin University in 2023 until 2025 and is now Associate Director, Clinical Engagement, Curtin Medical Research Institute, Curtin University. Professor John Olynyk has a long and productive history of research in the field of haemochromatosis, liver disease and iron metabolism. He has sustained 27 years of continuous funding from the NHMRC and published over 270 peer reviewed publications with nearly 20,000 citations. He is patron of Haemochromatosis Australia and currently serves on the Royal Australasian College of Physicians overseas trained physicians assessment panel. He has been a member of multiple national and international professional organisations. He was a keynote speaker at the UK Liver Cancer Meeting at Cambridge University in 2024. Currently he is leading a multicentre, international NHMRC-funded clinical trial examining whether aspirin therapy can prevent hepatocellular carcinoma in people with cirrhosis. Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com/contact

IDENTIFICATION & CHARACTERISATION OF MOLECULAR DRIVERS OF THERAPEUTIC RESISTANCE Professor Pieter Eichhorn Group Leader, Curtin Medical Research Institute @CurtinMRI & Dean of Research Infrastructure & Professor at Curtin University @CurtinUni , Western Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Perth, Western Australia | February 2026 Professor Pieter Eichhorn is an internationally experienced cancer biologist and research leader whose career has been defined by high-impact contributions at the interface of functional genomics, translational oncology, and research infrastructure strategy. He completed his PhD at the @UniofNewcastle , contributing to the cloning of the gene associated with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, before undertaking postdoctoral training at the Netherlands Cancer Institute in the laboratory of René Bernards. There, he performed pioneering functional genetic screens that identified key regulators of oncogenesis and therapy resistance, including critical roles for the PI3K signalling pathway in resistance to targeted breast cancer therapies. He subsequently worked Dr. Jose Baselga at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology @VHIO and Harvard Medical School @harvardmed contributing to studies on signalling networks, resistance mechanisms, and ubiquitin pathway regulation in cancer. A major career highlight has been the identification and characterisation of molecular drivers of therapeutic resistance, including work on PI3K pathway biology and ubiquitin-regulated oncogenic signalling, published in high-impact journals and informing biomarker-driven therapeutic strategies. At Curtin University, he has established and led a multidisciplinary translational research program focused on deubiquitinases, epithelial plasticity, and non-coding RNA biology in breast and melanoma. In parallel, he has provided strategic leadership as Dean of Research Infrastructure, overseeing major national and institutional infrastructure investments, NCRIS-aligned initiatives, and large-scale collaborative platforms that enhance research capability and clinical translation. COLLABORATIONS National University of Singapore @NUSingapore , Walter and Eliza Hall Institute @WEHI_research , @Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre @PeterMacCC , Vall d’Hebron, Helmholtz Munich, University of Manchester, FUNDING World Cancer Research Fund, Cancer Council WA @CancerCouncilWA, Australia Center for RNA Therapy in Cancer Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com/contact

LIVER CANCER & PATIENT-DERIVED TUMOUR ORGANOIDS Dr Benjamin Dwyer, Senior Research Fellow & Director, Western Australian Organioid Innovation Hub, Curtin Medical Research Institute @CurtinMRI , Curtin University @CurtinUni , Western Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Perth, Western Australia | February 2026 Dr Benjamin Dwyer is a translational cancer researcher driven by a clear purpose: to ensure discoveries made in the laboratory genuinely improve outcomes for patients. Based at Curtin University, he established and now leads the organoid platform within the Liver Cancer Collaborative and directs the WA Organoid Innovation Hub, working at the intersection of biology, medicine and biotechnology to accelerate new treatments for liver cancer. After completing his PhD in Perth, Dr Dwyer joined the world-leading liver research group of Prof Stuart Forbes at the University of Edinburgh @EdinburghUni , where he contributed to research spanning fundamental biology, clinical trials and commercial translation. He helped define how cholangiocarcinoma crosstalk with macrophages establishes a protective environment. In parallel, he was closely involved in the development of macrophage cell therapy for cirrhosis as part of the management team of the MATCH trials, and established novel, GMP-compatible methods to engineer and cryopreserve therapeutic macrophages, foundational methods for the commercial development of macrophage therapy. He was part of the founding team of a biotechnology spinout created to translate this work, and the therapeutic strategy built on those early methods is now progressing through Phase 1 clinical testing. Seeing principles he helped establish move from bench to bedside has been a defining milestone in his career. Today, as part of the Liver Cancer Collaborative his research focuses on building patient-derived “mini tumours” for drug development that better predict treatment response, narrowing the gap between laboratory models and real patient outcomes. COLLABORATIONS WITH: Perkins Cancer Biobank, Australian Centre for RNA Therapeutics in Cancer, UWA @uwanews, WA Data Science Innovation Hub, Murdoch University @MurdochUni , Epichem @epichem, Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia @Cholangio1 , WEHI National Drug Discovery Centre @WEHI_research, Inventia Life Sciences @InventiaLifeSci , University of Edinburgh @EdinburghUni, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) @SNBTSblood, University of Calgary @UCalgary FUNDING FROM: Department of Health WA FHRI Fund @health_wa, Cancer Research Trust, Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) @GESAorg, Ian Potter Foundation @IanPotterFdn , AMMF- The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity @CharityAMMF Source: Supplied and adapted SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com/contact/

DEVELOPING UPPER LIMB MOTOR BIOMARKERS OF DEMENTIA Kaylee Rudd, Junior Research Fellow, Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre @WickingDementia, University of Tasmania @UTAS_ , Hobart, Tasmania RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia | February 2026 Kaylee is currently a research fellow with the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. She has recently submitted her PhD thesis, reporting the findings of her research on developing upper limb motor biomarkers of dementia. She has postgrad degrees in physiotherapy and experience working in the community and aged care across Tasmania for several years, where she worked with people with dementia. Her experience underlined the importance of detecting cognitive impairment early and prompted her to join the Wicking to research dementia in 2021. Her research aims to better understand how movement is associated with cognition and to identify potential hand motor tests to help detect those at risk of developing cognitive impairment early. One of the main highlights of her research experience has been close and regular collaboration with participants and team members of the ISLAND Clinic and the Tasmanian ISLAND Project. Currently she coordinates the TapTalk project, a multi-level RHHRF funded project, which aims to develop a non-invasive screening test to detect risk of Alzheimer's disease pathology. Kaylee also contributes to national and international research projects. Examples are her work with the multisite Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) study investigating the impact of blood-based biomarkers knowledge on clinician’s diagnostic confidence, and her ongoing collaboration with the AI-assisted motor biomarkers team in the University of Leeds, UK. Collaborations and funding from - Wicking Dementia research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania - Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmanian Health Service - Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation (RHHRF) Source: Supplied and adapted SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com/contact/

METABOLIC PHENOTYPING, LIPIDOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS IN DEMENTIA Dr Luke Whiley Curtin Medical Research Institute @CurtinMRI , Western Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Perth, Western Australia | February 2026 Dr Luke Whiley is a dementia researcher whose work focuses on understanding how the body’s metabolism, particularly the biology of fats known as lipids, influences our health throughout ageing. His research explores how the body responds to illness, lifestyle, and environmental stress at a chemical level, and how these responses shape longterm disease risk. Using advanced blood-based measurement technologies, Dr Whiley studies thousands of small molecules at once to build a snapshot of a person’s metabolic health. By combining these measurements with data science approaches, his work identifies biological pathways that become disrupted in disease, providing insight into why some people are more vulnerable to conditions such as dementia. A major focus of Dr Whiley’s research is Alzheimer’s disease, where he investigates how genetic risk, particularly variations in genes involved in lipid transport,  may affect metabolism across the body and lead to disease. This work highlights the importance of lipids in brain health, helping shift dementia research beyond proteins alone to include broader metabolic processes. He also studies related questions in Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and COVID19, where metabolic disruption plays a key role in recovery and longterm outcomes. Alongside discovery research, Dr Whiley develops methods that allow detailed metabolic testing using much smaller samples, making future screening and monitoring more accessible. His overarching goal is to improve understanding, earlier detection, and prevention of neurodegenerative disease, while keeping people with lived experience at the centre of dementia research. Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact/

CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY & CONCUSSION With Professor Melinda (Lindy) Fitzgerald, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Professor of Neurotrauma, Curtin University @CurtinUni , Western Australia John Curtin Distinguished Professor & CEO Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia @ConnectivityTBI RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Perth, Western Australia | February 2026 Professor Melinda Fitzgerald is Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research at Curtin University, John Curtin Distinguished Professor and CEO of Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia @ConnectivityTBI She has published over 135 papers; recent highlights include Lancet Neurology, J Neuroscience, Nature Nano, ACS Nano, Biomaterials. Currently held grants/Projects total $10.1 million; CIA for $5.2 million of these; $18.5 million total research and equipment funding, $9.9 million as CIA; continuous category 1 grant funding as CIA since 2009. Prof Fitzgerald was Ministerially appointed and re-appointed as Chair and Co-Chair of the Expert Working Group of the Federal Government MRFF Mission for TBI, 2019 and 2024 ($50m over 10 years). Prof Fitzgerald is a Member of the Executive Committee for International TBI Research (InTBIR2) and Co-Chair of the InTBIR2 Working Group on Observational and Comparative Effectiveness Studies. She has supervised more than 35 Honours students or equivalent, 20 PhD students (14 completions), and 12 post-doctoral researchers (5 currently); of whom 3 are Group Leaders and 15 are developing independent scientific and research careers. As CEO of Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia, Prof Fitzgerald has led dissemination of best practice knowledge to the community. Connectivity’s work on raising awareness of traumatic brain injury has been viewed more than 6.93 million times, including 255,000 individual users of the website and more than 641,000 views on YouTube, accessing research-informed, best practice evidence-based information about concussion and more severe traumatic brain injury, including 110,000 views of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prevention campaign. Provision of concussion online short courses, currently more than 20,000 completions. Source: Supplied Arranged by: Curtin Medical Research Institute @CurtinMRI SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact

LEUKAEMIA MICROENVIRONMENT & HIGH RISK CHILDHOOD LEUKAEMIA With Associate Professor Laurence Cheung Curtin University @CurtinUni & Research Lead, Curtin Medical Research Institute @CurtinMRI, Western Australia & Research Lead, The Kids Research Institute @TheKids_AU , Western Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Perth, Western Australia | February 2026 Associate Professor Laurence Cheung is an exemplary pharmacist-scientist whose research is focused on improving outcomes in children with high-risk leukaemia. He obtained his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree with First Class Honours from the Curtin University in 2000 and have been a registered pharmacist since 2001. In 2014, he completed the PhD studies at The Kids Research Institute Australia (The Kids) in the area of haematopoiesis and paediatric leukaemia. He is now an Associate Professor at the Curtin Medical School as well as Curtin Medical Research Institute, and a Co-head of the Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory at The Kids. He has attracted over $8.7 million in research funding, including 16 awards as CIA (over $6.1 million). Assoc Prof Cheung was named the 2019 Cancer Council of WA Early Career Cancer Researcher of the Year and received the STEM Early Career Research Award at Curtin University in 2019. Assoc Prof Cheung enjoys nurturing and motivating the next generation scientists and HDR students and he believes that the true success is about influencing others to achieve their own greatness. He has supervised two PhD and one Masters students to completion, and is currently supervising 4 PhD students as a Primary Supervisor. In 2023, Assoc Prof Cheung received the Faulty of Health Sciences Teaching Excellence Individual Award for Honours, Postgraduate, or HDR supervision at Curtin University. Source: Supplied and adapted SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact

NOVEL THERAPY FOR PANCREATIC CANCERS, TARGETING MOLECULAR FOUNDATION Dr Michael KC Lee, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre @PeterMacCC , Melbourne, Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Melbourne, Australia | February 2026 Dr Michael Lee is an experienced medical oncologist, sub-specialising in gastrointestinal cancers and neuroendocrine tumours at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre @PeterMacCC. He plays a key role in molecular tumour boards at VCCC Alliance (Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre) @VCCCAlliance and MPCCC (Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium), ensuring the accurate and effective use of precision medicine in cancer care across the state. His care philosophy, embodied in his practice name, "Can-Therapy," promotes a CAN-do approach to CANcer care: empowering patients to thrive beyond cancer through cutting-edge research and personalised, values-driven care. Beyond the clinic, he leads research as a clinician scientist, developing therapeutic strategies that target RNA processing - the molecular blueprint cancer hijacks to fuel its growth and resistance - by altering its sequence is like changing words in a sentence to redefine cancer's trajectory. Supported by Pancare Foundation @PancareAus, the Paul Dear Post Doctoral Fellowship and his industry collaboration, his work aims to revolutionise outcomes for patients with this aggressive cancer by targeting its molecular foundation. He is a recognised expert in pancreatic cancer care, combining research insights with exceptional patient care, while also providing comprehensive treatment for all cancer types. Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com/contact/

GENETICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS OF GLAUCOMA & MYOPIA Professor David Mackey AO, Professor of Ophthalmology The Lions Eye Institute @LionsEyeInstAus, University of Western Australia @uwanews RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Perth, Western Australia | February 2026 Professor David Mackey, AO is a clinician, scientist and academic. He is Professor of Ophthalmology at UWA and was the Lions Eye Institute’s Managing Director from 2009 until 2018. A University of Tasmania @UTAS_ medical graduate, Professor Mackey completed his ophthalmology training at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne @EyeandEarHosp. After an MD thesis on Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy at the University of Melbourne, he completed fellowships in the US and UK in genetic eye diseases. A renowned international researcher on the genetics of eye disease, Professor Mackey leads the Lions Eye Institute’s Genetics and Epidemiology research group, which pursues multiple projects aimed at understanding how genes and environment interact to influence an individual’s risk of eye disease. Professor Mackey collaborates with researchers worldwide. He is a lead investigator in the International Glaucoma Genetics Consortium (IGCC) and the Consortium for Refractive Error and Myopia (CREAM). In the 1990s he coordinated an international consortium across eight countries to establish the frequency of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) mutations. In Australia, he initiated the Glaucoma Inheritance Study in Tasmania – creating one of the largest glaucoma biobanks in the world and contributing to the discovery of more than a dozen genes associated with Mendelian genetic eye disease. The Twins Eye Study in Tasmania and Brisbane, the Norfolk Island Eye Study, the eye component of the WA Pregnancy (Raine) Cohort, Busselton Healthy Aging Study are his other major projects. Professor Mackey’s original research over more than 30 years into the genetics of glaucoma and in the fields of optic atrophy and congenital cataract has received constant professional accolades, attracted ongoing research funding and led to his publication of more than 400 peer-reviewed papers. In 2019, he was made an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for “distinguished service to medicine, and to medical education, in the field of ophthalmology, as a clinician-scientist and academic”. Source: Lions Eye Institute website SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact/

PAEDIATRIC OBESITY PREVENTION, NUTRITION AND DIETETICS With Dr Robyn Littlewood, Chief Executive, Health and Wellbeing Queensland @hw_queensland & Adjunct Professor, University of Queensland @UQ_News , Queensland University of Technology @QUT & Griffith University @Griffith_Uni, Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Brisbane, Australia | December 2025 Dr Robyn Littlewood is the CEO of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, the state’s prevention agency committed to fostering a healthier and more equitable Queensland. With over 25 years of experience in clinical care, research and education, Dr Littlewood has made significant contributions to paediatric healthcare. Dr Littlewood is a published author with over 100 publications and has recently released her first book on health and wellbeing for Queensland. She has trained hundreds of students over two decades of frontline service. Leveraging a systems-based and collaborative approach, Dr Littlewood continues to drive research and data outcomes in the area of health and wellbeing. Dr Littlewood leads a dedicated team focused on making healthy happen for all Queenslanders, with a particular focus on improving health outcomes for our next generation. Dr Littlewood holds a raft of formal qualifications including a Bachelor of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics, a Master of Medical Science, a Masters of Business Administration and a PhD. Dr Littlewood has also completed a number of postgraduate qualifications in executive leadership and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  Dr Littlewood holds Adjunct Professor appointments from UQ, QUT and Griffith universities, has been awarded Fellow of Dietitians Australia @dietitiansaus , the Barbara Chester Award and QUT Health Alumni of the year in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the dietetics profession. Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact

ANTIMICROBIAL TECHNOLOGIES & DRUG DELIVERY PLATFORMS With Associate Professor Aaron Elbourne RMIT University @RMIT , Melbourne, Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Melbourne, Australia | January 2026 Dr Aaron Elbourne is an ARC DECRA Fellow, Jack Brockhoff ECR Fellow, and Associate Professor within the School of Science at STEM Hub. A leader in nanomaterials, soft matter science, and interface research, Aaron’s work addresses critical challenges in health and the environment. Since becoming an independent researcher, Aaron has held continuous funding from prestigious funders, including the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) @nhmrc . His research is characterised by its interdisciplinary approach, combining chemistry, materials science, and engineering. His pioneering contributions to colloid therapeutics and soft matter science have driven advancements in diagnostic tools, antimicrobial technologies, and therapeutic delivery systems. His expertise in studying nanomaterial interactions with synthetic and biological membranes has been instrumental in translating scientific discoveries into impactful applications. Aaron is a dedicated mentor to early-career researchers (ECRs) and students, having supervised and trained numerous postgraduate and doctoral candidates. He has played a key role in securing funding for student training initiatives, including joint PhD scholarships and National Industry PhD programs, which emphasise collaboration between academia and industry. With a strong focus on translational research, Aaron’s work bridges the gap between fundamental science and practical applications. His leadership in creating innovative technologies, fostering academic-industry partnerships, and empowering future researchers underscores his commitment to advancing science and creating a meaningful impact. Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact

35 years of kids’ health research THE KIDS RESEARCH INSTITUTE AUSTRALIA With Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, Paediatrician & Executive Director The Kids Research Institute Australia @TheKids_AU RESEARCH IMPACT Filmed in Perth, Western Australia | January 2026 The Kids Research Institute Australia is one of the largest and most successful medical research institutes in Australia. The Institute has created a blueprint that brings together community, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funders, who share our vision to improve the health and wellbeing of children through excellence in research. The Institute is headed by leading paediatrician and infectious diseases expert Professor Jonathan Carapetis, with Founding Director Professor Fiona Stanley now Patron. The Kids is independent and not-for-profit. The majority of funding comes from our success in winning national and international competitive research grants.  They also receive significant philanthropic support from corporate Australia and the community. In November 2025, The Kids Research Institute Australia celebrated 35 years of bold ideas, groundbreaking research, and the people who find answers to the big questions about better health outcomes for children and families. Since his appointment in 2012, Professor Carapetis has guided The Kids through a period of significant scientific achievement, organisational growth, and increased impact — all anchored to the Institute’s vision of ensuring happy, healthy kids. During his tenure, Professor Carapetis oversaw major advancements in child health research, including discoveries that have influenced policy and practice, such as the recent adoption of RSV vaccinations. He led the Institute through key milestones including the transition to new headquarters at Perth Children’s Hospital, the development of the Research Reimagined strategic plan, and the creation of a new, fresh brand. Under Professor Carapetis’ leadership, The Kids strengthened its position as a national leader in child health research, building collaborations across Australia and internationally, supporting researchers and WA families through the COVID-19 pandemic, and driving a culture that has evolved traditional models of research, to accelerate and amplify impact, for children and their families. Also announced in November 2025, was the news that Professor Carapetis will step down as Executive Director in July 2026, after 14 years of distinguished leadership. Source: Adapted using The Kids Research Institute Australia news stories SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com

TRANSFORMING SURGICAL WAITLIST INTO A ‘PREPARATION LIST’ With Dr Andrew Marks, Staff Specialist Anaesthetist & Director of Perioperative Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital @NthSydHealth , Sydney, Australia Dr Kanika Chaudhri, Anaesthetic Senior Resident Medical Officer, Royal North Shore Hospital @NthSydHealth , Sydney, Australia CASE STUDY Filmed in Sydney, Australia | January 2026 The DIAMONDS initiative aims to transform the surgical waitlist into a “preparation list,” enabling healthcare professionals to optimise patient care in the months leading up to elective surgery starting at pre-admission phase. Patients are will be able to complete pre-admission forms online, receive timely updates, and access educational resources to ensure thorough preparation. This will allow staff to spend more time with patients. The DIAMONDS pathway, which stands for ‘Digital Pathway of Improved Assessment, Management and Optimisation of Patients for Planned Surgery’ has commenced at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, Australia. patient care by streamlining assessments and addressing the challenges of the existing paper-based system. “Staff benefit by having centralised patient information and automated routine tasks, allowing them to focus on providing high-quality care, which ultimately leads to a smoother, more efficient process for everyone involved”, says Dr Kanika Chaudhri. “Patients benefit from user-friendly tools that enable them to complete pre-admission forms online and access educational resources, enhancing their care experience,” she said. DIAMONDS is led by the New South Wales, Northern Sydney Local Health District, with collaboration partners Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI) and the George Institute for Global Health. Source: Adapted from NSLHD news and events SEE OTHER CASE STUDIES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com

SYSTEMS GENETICS TO DETERMINE RISK OF DEVELOPING DIABETES COMPLICATIONS Emeritus Professor Grant Morahan, Professor of Diabetes Research, University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research @uwanews (affiliated with the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research @PerkinsComms), Perth, Australia & Honorary Professor, Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne @UniMelb , Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Perth, Australia | December 2025 Professor Morahan invented the term “Systems Genetics” for the science field that examines how genetic variants can affect whole networks of genes and whole systems; there are now several laboratories and institutes of systems genetics around the world. He also developed the next-generation genetic resource, The Gene Mine, the most powerful of its type in the world, used globally in rapid mapping and identification of genes. Collaborators nationally and internationally have tested The Gene Mine for traits and diseases in which they specialise. As a member of the Steering Committee of the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium, he worked to design the global study recruiting and characterising T1D genetics, which resulted in identification of over 40 T1D risk genes. The culmination of this program, for which Prof Morahan was PI of the Asia-Pacific Network, was published in Nature Genetics (41:703-707) and has been cited 1579 times. Currently, he is a member of the Steering Committee of the Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) Study, the only study in the world investigating T1D families to follow at-risk babies from pregnancy through childhood. Completing recruitment in 2020, the study already has 40 publications. His latest discovery involves next-generation algorithms that are able to predict whether a person will be genetically high/low risk of developing a number of complex genetic diseases. Professor Morahan is working toward commercialising these genetic tests so they can benefit the public and the healthcare system. During his career, Prof Morahan has supervised 23 postgraduate students and mentored nine postdoctoral positions. Since 2003, Prof Morahan has applied for and received close to $20 million in research funds, both nationally and internationally. He has 299 academic publications, 17,0744 citations and has an h-index of 60. Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact/

PANCREATIC AND LUNG CANCERS DRIVEN BY MUTATIONS IN THE CANCER GENE KRAS Dr Mara Zeissig @marazeissig , Group Head, T Cell Immunotherapy Laboratory, Tumour Inflammation and Immunotherapy Program, SAiGENCI – South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute @SAiGENCI , Australia RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Adelaide, Australia | December 2025 Dr Mara Zeissig is a recently appointed Lab Head within the Tumour Inflammation and Immunotherapy Program at the South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI). Her research focuses on studying immune evasion mechanisms in lung and pancreatic cancers to identify novel ways to increase response to immunotherapy. Her expertise is in genetically engineered mouse models of lung cancer, CRISPR-Cas9 screening technologies and T cell based immunotherapies (e.g Checkpoint inhibitors). Dr Zeissig obtained her PhD at the University of Adelaide in 2020 with Prof Andrew Zannettino, where her research focused on the role of chemokine receptor CCR1 in the dissemination of the hematological malignancy multiple myeloma. She then undertook postdoctoral studies at Monash University with Prof Tony Tiganis, focusing on the role of protein tyrosine phosphotases PTPN2 and PTP1B on anti-tumour immunity in melanoma, breast, colon and liver cancers. In 2022 she joined the lab of Prof Kate Sutherland at WEHI. Here she conducted sophisticated CRISPR-Cas9 in vitro and in vivo screening to identify genetic determinants that influence response to KRAS inhibitors, and to identify novel immunotherapy targets in KRAS-mutant lung cancer. Her research has been published in high-impact journals including Science Advances (2022) and Cancer Discovery (2022). Dr Zeissig has been the recipient of numerous career awards and grants, including a Victorian Cancer Agency ECR Fellowship (2023-2026) and a Cure Cancer Research Grant (2023). Immunotherapies such as CAR T cell therapy or Immune checkpoint inhibitors all harness the ability of cytotoxic T cells to recognise and kill tumour cells. However, approx. 80% of solid cancer patients do not respond to immunotherapy. This is due to both tumour intrinsic and extrinsic evasion mechanisms, the most crucial of these being 1) the immunosuppressive microenvironment that leads to T cell exhaustion and 2) loss of antigen and/or checkpoint ligand expression on tumour cells rendering the tumour unrecognisable by T cells. Importantly, there may be additional, undiscovered immune evasion mechanisms that could be exploited for immunotherapy. Dr Zeissig’s lab is focused on understanding how cancers evade the immune system to identify new ways to enhance response to immunotherapy. In particular, her team work on lung and pancreatic cancers driven by mutations in the cancer gene KRAS. They utilise a range of tools including genetically engineered preclinical models of cancer, analysis of immune cell subsets, single-cell profiling and molecular biology techniques. They also harness large-scale genetic screening using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to find previously unknown targets and mechanisms that regulate response to immunotherapy. Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact/

BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACHES TO OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE, BODY IMAGE AND EATING DISORDERS Dr Nicola Acevedo @NicAcevedo , Neuroscientist and Research Fellow, Swinburne University of Technology @StudySwinburne , Melbourne, Australia & Consultant, Neurotech Insights, Melbourne, Australia & Director, BioAutism, Melbourne, Australia & Vice-President Australasian Brain Stimulation Society @abs_society RESEARCHER PROFILE Filmed in Melbourne, Australia | December 2025 Dr Nicola Acevedo @NicAcevedo is a Neuroscientist and Research Fellow with extensive expertise in developing novel therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric disorders, contributing to more than ten clinical trials. She specialises in brain stimulation and psychedelic treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions, with a strong commitment to advancing personalised, evidence-based neurobiological therapies for severe psychiatric illness. Her approach integrates biopsychosocial and person-centred principles to improve treatment access and mental health outcomes. Nicola completed her PhD on deep brain stimulation for treatment-refractory OCD- described as a “tour de force”- producing eight first-author peer-reviewed publications and multiple international collaborations and papers. She now leads research in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for OCD, body dysmorphic disorder, and anorexia nervosa. Her work has been presented at leading international forums including Oxford and Harvard University, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Congress. Alongside her research, Nicola holds leadership positions across brain stimulation, OCD, and ethics committees, serves on a peer review board, and is Director of the charity BioAutism Ltd. She also provides mentorship and supervision, with a commitment to supporting junior researchers. Her contributions have been recognised with the Early Career Researcher (ECR) Excellence Award from Biological Psychiatry Australia. As an ECR, Nicola is driven by the potential to innovate and make an impact in national mental health services. Source: Supplied SEE OTHER RESEARCHER PROFILES Bench Side Story @BenchSideStory benchsidestory.com Get your own interviews and research published on Bench Side Story benchsidestory.com/contact