Meet our New Senior Research Assistant, Laura Currey
Senior Research Assistant Laura Currey joined CCRG earlier this year, bringing her expertise in biomedical science to the STARLab team. Laura plays a key role in bridging the gap between fundamental science and the research translation to improve outcomes for critically ill patients.
Laura grew up in North Queensland, then moved to Brisbane for university, completing a Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) at Griffith University and PhD on Developmental Neuroscience at The University of Queensland, where her researched focused on understanding how genetic factors influence the development of the brain, and what happens when one of its key developmental regulators is missing.
“I studied a protein complex called PRC2, which helps control which genes are switched on or off. I discovered that PRC2 is crucial for maintaining the proper identity of cortical neurons – without it, they lose their normal expression patterns and activate genes they shouldn’t. These findings help us understand how disrupted gene regulation can contribute to developmental disorders.”
With a strong foundation in genomics, cellular and molecular biology, Laura brings a diverse skill set to the CCRG’s science translation team.
“As an emerging researcher, CCRG offers me the perfect environment to combine my knowledge and passion for fundamental science with practical experience in transcriptomics, bioinformatics, histology, confocal microscopy and advanced imaging.
At CCRG, Laura contributes to several of our major research programs, including pulsatile ECMO, heart transplant (HTx), and mitochondrial transplant (MTx). Her work provides invaluable insights that support the rapid advancement of these medical fields, driving improvements in technology, understanding, and ultimately, patient outcomes.
“Here I’m able to grow from and to contribute to the team’s work in translating research into real clinical impact. That’s something that inspires us all,” said Laura.
“Ultimately, I want my work to have an impact on improving patient outcomes. CCRG is the perfect place to combine my love of biology with research that has real-world applications.
Away from the lab, Laura is an avid hiker and wildlife photographer, and she has a passion for cultivating an ever-growing collection of houseplants.