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Genomics in Health Team
Group Leader
Associate Professor Sonia Shah
National Heart Foundation Future Leader FellowNational Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow, Senior Principal Research Fellow –Group LeaderInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Researcher biography:My group's research uses large-scale genomic data to address knowledge gaps in disease, with a particular focus on cardiovascular disease.
Research programme
1. Cardiovascular disease research using big-data and genomics: with the goal of improving prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. By focusing on underrepresented groups, including women, my research aims to also address inequity in cardiovascular outcomes. I am the lead of the South Asian Genes and Health in Australia (SAGHA) study, which aims to increase representation of Australian South Asians in cardiovascular and genomics research. See saghaus.org for further details.
2. Drug genomics: I'm interested in using genomic approaches to predict drug effects, including identification of drug repurposing opportunities as well as identifying unknown adverse effects of medication.
3. Liver transplant research: In this collaboration with the QLD Liver Transplant Unit, we are using genomics to understand the effect of normo-thermic perfusion (a new organ storage method) on liver function, with the long-term goal of improving our ability to predict transplant outcomes.
Career summary: I was awarded my PhD from University College London (UK) in cardiovascular genetics. I began my post-doctoral fellowship under the mentorship of Prof Peter Visscher at the Queensland Brain Institute in 2013. Between 2016-2018, I was the lead analyst for the International Heart Failure Genetics Consortium (HERMES). In 2018, I was awarded an NHMRC Early Career Researcher Fellowship to investigate the relationship between cardiovascular and brain-related disorders using large-scale genetic and genomic data, under the mentorship of Prof Naomi Wray. I currently hold a National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship.
Recognition:
2024 Australian Academy of Science Ruth Stephens Gani Medal for outstanding contribution to genetics research
2023 1 of 5 global finalists for the Nature Inspiring Women in Science (Scientific Achievement Award)
2023 Lifesciences QLD Rose-Anne Kelso Award
2023: Named in Australia's Top 25 Women in Science by Newscorp
2022 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Award
2022 UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award
2021/2022 Australian Superstar of STEM,
2020 Genetic Society of Australasia Early Career Award
2020 Women in Technology Rising Star Science Award
Researchers
Dr Clara Jiang
Postdoctoral Research FellowInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Researcher biography:Clara Jiang is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland. Clara’s research focuses on using genomic and transcriptomic analysis to investigate the genetic basis of cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders, with a particular focus on female health, as well as using statistical genomic approaches to explore possible opportunities for drug repurposing. Clara graduated from the University of Queensland with Bachelor of Advanced Science (First Class Honours) in 2017, and was awarded the University Medal. Clara was awarded her PhD at the University of Queensland in 2021, where she utilised bioinformatic approaches and molecular experiments to decipher the genetic aetiology of breast cancer, specifically the regulatory role of transposons or ‘jumping genes’ in modulating the transcriptional landscape in the cancer state. Clara is also a UQ Wellness ambassador and an advocate for promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in academia.
Students
Dr Solal Chauquet
Postdoctoral Research FellowInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Researcher biography:Solal Chauquet is an early career postdoctoral fellow focused on using genetic and genomics to investigate liver transplantation and liver diseases. He finished a master of Neuroscience at the Université de Bordeaux, a Master in Bioinformatics from the University of Queensland and recently his PhD genomics where he developed a specialized proficiency in the analysis of liver omics data.
Ms Zoe Hunter
PhD studentInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Mr Utpala Nanda Chowdhury
Researcher profile is public:0Supervisor:- IMB researchers are using genetic clues to find new treatments and quicker diagnoses for endometriosis
Francois Group
Group Leader
Dr Mathias Francois
Group Leader, Genomics of Development and Disease DivisionResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Body:Highlights
After finishing his undergraduate degree at the Toulouse III University, Mat Francois undertook a PhD in Paris, studying the role of nuclear receptors in the control of inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, finishing in 2004.
In 2005 he moved to Australia as a postdoctoral scientist in Peter Koopman’s laboratory, and began researching the role of SOX transcription factors in the control of lymphatic vessel development. His research led to the discovery of a molecular switch (SOX18) responsible for triggering the development of the lymphatic vascular system in the embryo. This finding helped him to launch his independent career. He was awarded the ASMR Queensland Premier’s award in 2009 and a UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award in 2011.
Late in 2011 Mat set up his own lab at IMB to focus on the molecular hierarchy that governs endothelial cell differentiation during embryogenesis, and later received a career development award to elucidate the role of SOX protein in the modulation of the lymphatic and blood vascular growth that controls both embryonic development and tumour metastasis.
Mat’s research at IMB is now based on the combination of developmental biology and the use of pathophysiological models (e.g. cancer metastasis and lymphoedema) in combination with a drug discovery pipeline to identify novel therapeutic approaches to block cancer metastasis via the pharmacological manipulation of transcription factor activity.
Connect
Researchers
Miss Emmanuelle Frampton
Principal Research Technician/Scientist/EngineerInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Body:Emmanuelle is a research assistant working in the Francois lab at UQ's Institute for Molecular Bioscience.
Students
Miss Keyi Jiang
Higher degree by research (PhD) studentInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Miss Alex Mccann
Higher degree by research (PhD) studentInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Body:Alex is an Honours student in the Francois lab at UQ's Institute for Molecular Bioscience.
Ms Siew Zhuan Tan
Higher degree by research (PhD) studentInstitute for Molecular BioscienceResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:- Name: Dr Judy Halliday
IMB: 2000 Biological Chemistry Group Leader (Glycobiology)
Now: Chief Operating Officer, Office of the South Australian Chief Entrepreneur - Neuropeptides are protein-like signalling molecules that regulate many important physiological processes and behaviours
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