From the beginning of my PhD, my research interests have been focused on delineating the cellular signalling pathways that regulate protein synthesis, in particular mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin), a master protein that controls cell growth, which is of key importance in human diseases such as cancer. My very recent discovery concerns the oversupply of nutrients, in particular amino acids, results in the build-up of faulty proteins within cells and shortens lifespan. This study highlights the detrimental effects of over-nutrition and the importance of a healthier, low-protein diet, and has attracted attention from several media outlets in both Australia and in Brazil, where part of the study was undertaken.

I have so far authored 53 peer-reviewed publications, including 24 first/last author papers in top-ranking journals such as Nature Cell Biology, Current Biology, Diabetologia, Cellular & Molecular Life Sciences, International Journal of Cancer, among others. My articles have thus far been cited 1983 times (11/04/2022, Google Scholar, h-index: 24). I hold four patents, authored four book chapters and have given eight presentations at international conferences.

Stemming from those studies, my recent research interests have evolved towards studying the role of protein synthesis, transcription and epigenomics in prostate cancer progression. I have recently been awarded a seed funding by the SA state’s prestigious South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) to advance the research in this topic.