Dr Melanie McDowall

• Biography/ Background

  ARC Senior Research Associate
  Early Development Group
  ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
  Robinson Research Institute
  School of Medicine
  Institute for Photonic and Advanced Sensing (IPAS)

   

  

  Follow @DrMelMcD

  Google Scholar

• Qualifications

  2016 - ongoing: Masters in Business Administration
  The University of Adelaide 

  2001-Conferred August 2005: Doctor of Philosophy (Health Science) 
  Research Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide
  Title: The Rational Development of Improved In Vitro Maturation of Bovine Oocytes
  Link to Thesis 

  2000: Bachelor of Science (Honours)
  Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Adelaide

  1998-1999: Bachelor of Science 
  The University of Adelaide

• Awards & Achievements

  2016 Australian eChallenge Medical Innovations: Winner (Life Whisperer), The University of Adelaide

  2016 Australian eChallenge Research Commericalisation: Winner (Life Whisper), The University of Adelaide

  2016 CSIRO On Prime Pre-Accelerator Training Program

  2016 Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Scholarship: The University of Adelaide

  2016 Best Transdisciplinary Publication: Winner, Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing

  2015 Best International Abstract (Australia and New Zealand): Winner, Society for the Study of Reproduction

  2015 Best Transdisplinary Publication Award: Winner, ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics.

  2015 Best Publication: Senior, corresponding author (with Siew Wong as primary author), Reproduction, Fertility and Development journal

  2014 Meat and Livestock Australia New Scientist Award: Winner, Society for Reproductive Biology Annual Conference

  2012 Newcastle Reproduction Early Career Research Emerging Leader Award: Finalist, Society for Reproductive Biology Annual Conference

  2011 Australian Society for Medical Research SA Conference: Winner, Best Oral Presentation (Early Career)

  2006-2007 Young Tall Poppy Science Award: This award recognises the contribution of early career scientists to their field of research and communicating science to the general public (www.tallpoppies.net.au). Part of the award involved visiting high schools to discuss life as a scientist (Tall Poppies Reaching Kids).

  2002 North West Adelaide Health Services Research Day: Finalist, Higher Degrees: Basic Science, Senior Students

  2001 Society for Reproductive Biology Annual Conference (Gold Coast QLD): Finalist, Junior Scientist Award and Travel scholarship recipient

  2000 North West Adelaide Health Services Research Day: Winner, Basic Science, Honours students

   

• Research Interests

  Oocyte maturation
  In vitro embryo production
  Peri-conceptional environment
  Maternal health
  Glucose and hexose metabolism
  Microscopy

• Publications

  Please note: I have published under "Sutton", "McDowall" and "Sutton-McDowall". 

  A complete list of my publications and citations is available on my research profile page and Google Scholar

• Professional Associations

  2001-2004, 2009-present: Society for Reproductive Biology (PR secretary for council)
  2002-2004, 2009-present: International Embryo Transfer Society
  2016-present: International Congress on Animal Reproduction (committee member)
  2014-present: Australian Science Communicators
  2011: Australian Society for Medical Research
  2009: Australian Institute of Policy and Science
  2004-2008: Sheep Genomics
  2005-2008: Australasian Hair and Wool Research Society
  2005-2009: Society for Investigative Dermatology (USA)

   

• Community Engagement

  2016: Blog post and expert commentary for the “I Quit Sugar” website
  2016: Expert commentary for ABC News
  2016: The University of Adelaide, Barr Smith Library appeal, featured researcher
  2016: The University of Adelaide television advertisement
  2014-2016: Science Meets Parliament and associated laboratory visits by federal members of parliament, including being followed by RiAus in 2016 (direct link to video)
  2013, 2015: Invited to participate in the "Dairy Moving Forward" Reproduction Steering Group (Dairy Australia)
  2015: Interviewed for “The Sound of Science” (Radio Adelaide) with Dr Sabrina Heng, talking about women and mums in science and transdisciplinary research (December)
  2015: Featured in a "Fertility Friday" podcast and blog (Late February)
  2015: Featured in the Robinson Research Institute annual report
  2014: Featured in "Science Stories" blog from the Robinson Research Institute
  2012-present: Contributor to "The Conversation" website
  2013-2014: Spokes person for the "Fertility is ageist" campaign for the "Your Fertility" coalition (direct link to video), including the creation of a video explaining fertility in plain English
  2014: Attended numerous media and science communication training workshops, including Science Meets Parliament, Science in Public and Questacon
  2013: Expert commentator for "New Scientist"
  2006-2008: Website administrator for the Wool sub-program of Sheep Genomics
  2006-2008: Tall Poppies Reaching Kids
  2005-2007: Regulator contributor to the "Can You Believe It" column (The Advertiser newspaper)

  My research has been discussed on numerous media platforms such as radio, website and print media. I'm currently the publicity secretary for the Society for Reproductive Biology and activities have included official tweeter for the society (@ReproductionSRB) and attending "Science Meets Parliament" in 2014-2016. 

  I also tweet via my personal account @DrMelMcD

  I am on the website committee for the Centre for Nanoscale BioPhotonics and will be involved in science communication and public outreach.

• Files

  • McDowall CV - McDowall_CV_(web_version).doc [98.5K] (application/msword)

• Media Expertise

  Categories	Fertility & Reproduction
  Expertise	Assisted reproduction; in vitro embryo production; metabolism; glucose

Entry last updated: Sunday, 17 Jan 2021

To link to this page, please use the following URL:  https://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/melanie.mcdowall