RESEARCHER PROFILE
Professor Kristofer Thurecht, Deputy Director of Research & Senior
Group leader, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology,
University of Queensland, Australia
Finding better ways of treating cancer, aside from finding a cure, aim to provide a better quality of life for those who suffer from it.
Professor Thurecht’s work focuses on nanomedicine and spans across the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the Centre for Advanced Imaging, at the University of Queensland in Australia.
Professor Thurecht undertook his PhD at the University of Queensland and decided he wanted to go to the University of Nottingham in the UK, where his mentors pushed him into the new field of nanomedicine. On returning to Australia he brought his ideas on nanomedicine back to the University of Queensland, where he works today.
His research focuses on understanding how nanomedicines behave in biological environments using high-end imaging infrastructure, with a focus on radiopharmaceutical research to establish next generation drugs for diseases like cancer.
Nanomedicine research, particularly in the field of cancer treatment, has the potential to revolutionise traditional medicine and improve the quality of life for those suffering from the disease. Radiopharmaceuticals and molecular imaging are revolutionising cancer treatment by providing targeted therapies and precise drug delivery, showing potential for groundbreaking advancements in the field.
Radiopharmaceuticals utilise radiation as a potent therapy for treating diseases, particularly cancer. As Professor Thurecht states, the development of radiopharmaceutical for cancer treatment is a promising and innovative field in nanomedicine.
Outside of research Professor Thurecht enjoys fishing and boating with family on weekends.
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Vision impairment in children and the impact on children and their families
Dr Sue Silveira holds a conjoint academic position with Macquarie University and is the Course Director for their Master of Disability Studies, which is administered and delivered by NextSense Institute in affiliation with the University. She teaches in the areas of vision impairment and disability, and aims to share her knowledge while learning from others, especially people who are blind or have low vision and their families.
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CASE STUDY Link between levels of extracellular vesicles in the blood and tissue damage caused by diseases
A landmark study led by WEHI and La Trobe University has found a potential new diagnostic marker that could be used to better detect the level of tissue damage in our bodies.
This study revealed, for the first time, a link between levels of EVs in the blood and tissue damage caused by diseases such as leukaemia.
Researchers hope to leverage the critical new insight to develop a blood test to monitor cancer patients with tissue damage, which could, in future, enhance treatment strategies for blood cancers and other diseases.
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Optimising Rural Musculoskeletal Health
Adnan Asger Ali is a Director of Accelerate Physiotherapy and PhD candidate at The University of Sydney, where he is researching implementation strategies for musculoskeletal care pathways in rural Australia as part of the PACE-RURAL project.
A passionate advocate for physiotherapy, Adnan serves as Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s National Musculoskeletal Committee and sits on the Capital Health Network’s Clinical Council. His commitment to clinical excellence was recognised when he received Physiotherapist of the Year at the 2023 Allied Health Awards.
