The Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI) wishes all of our CHIRI-associated PhD, Masters and Honours students, and members of the wider CHIRI community who are graduating this week, our warmest congratulations on their achievement.

As a university-based institute, CHIRI is fortunate to have access to an amazing cohort of talented students from multiple disciplines, who contribute so much to our research.

With our institute’s focus on researching new preventions and treatments for age-associated diseases, we are taking this opportunity to profile a few of this week’s PhD graduates.

The graduation ceremony for students from Curtin’s School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Medical Sciences will be celebrated on Tuesday 11 February, and the schools of Public Health and Molecular and Life Sciences on Thursday, 13 February.

Thanks to all CHIRI students for their commitment and contribution to CHIRI’s mission. We wish them every success – wherever their post-graduation research journey takes them.

Tonight’s PhD graduates include:

Aleksandra Adamska will graduate with a commendation after completing her PhD under the supervision of CHIRI researchers Professor Marco Falasca, Professor Philip Newsholme, Dr Alice Domenichini and Adjunct Professor Vincenzo de Laurenzi, University of Chieti in Italy. Focused mainly on pancreatic cancer research, Aleksandra’s PhD project investigated ABC transporters and G protein-coupled receptors as potential drug targets in cancer. The aim of her research was to investigate novel therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer that could be explored in a clinical setting. Aleksandra, who describes her PhD experience as “tough but valuable and unforgettable, has already embarked on the next phase of her career, working in a pharmaceutical company as a Research and Development Specialist.

Also graduating with her PhD is Gaewyn Ellison, whose PhD project on the influence of cholesterol in beta cell (β-cell ) function was supervised by CHIRI’s Associate Professor Cyril Mamotte, Professor Philip Newsholme and Dr Ross Graham. Strong evidence that statin medication, commonly prescribed for cardiovascular disease, is linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes raises questions about the role of cholesterol in insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell function, which Gae and her colleagues are keen to answer. Their research found that experimentally induced changes in cellular cholesterol content reduced insulin secretion in β-cell models and provided insights into the mechanisms behind these adverse effects. Gae, who describes her PhD experience as “collegial, stimulating, challenging and rewarding”, now has her sights set on finding an equally stimulating research or academic role as the next step in her career.

Omar Elaskalani has been studying pancreatic cancer under the supervision of CHIRI’s researchers Dr Pat Metharom and Professor Marco Falasca. The focus of his PhD project is studying the mechanisms and therapeutic implications of the cross-talk that occurs between tiny blood cells called platelets and cancer in the disease. The research showed that platelets can contribute to pancreatic cancer growth and resistance to treatment. It is hoped that learning more about the disease will lead to desperately needed new treatments for this highly lethal disease. Omar, who describes his PhD experience as “challenging and exciting” is now working with his supervisor Pat in a haematology research institute as a postdoctoral research fellow.