Associate Professor Celine Valery
- PhD in Pharmacy, University of Paris-Saclay, France
- Chemical Engineer, Ecole Centrale de Marseille, France
- Master of Science in Physical Chemistry, University of Aix-Marseille III, France
Initially educated as a Chemical Engineer, I completed a PhD in Pharmacy (University of Paris-Saclay, France) on an academia-industry collaboration to launch a new medication against brain tumours. Since then, I have worked as both an industry and academic researcher with positions held in France, Spain and New Zealand before moving to Australia in 2014. My travels led me to collaborate with a diverse range of inspiring mentors and taught me that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere, if curiosity is encouraged.
I aim to advance pharmaceutical nanoscience and pharmacy education for the greater good, through creating and passing on knowledge for better cures. My research spans from fundamental topics through to translation into new pharmaceutical products. Especially, I have contributed to the discovery and development of new “nano-drugs” against various diseases, including new antibiotics and new anticancer treatments.
My research is supported by both industry and national funding. I publish research articles in high-impact scientific journals across diverse specialised fields including supramolecular chemistry, biophysics, pharmacology and nanoscience. I am also the author of two TED-Ed videos aimed at helping the general public understand how medicines work. I am also co-inventor of three patents reporting new medications.
I am a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion and positive leadership. I particularly enjoy working in the lab with my team and teaching student scientists from all around the world.I am also an amateur ballerina who practices pirouettes from time to time!
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
Public education. I collaborated with TED-ed as lesson writer for two online educational videos on pharmacology that total millions of views each:
- 'How does your body process medicine?' (2017)
- “What happens when you mix drugs?” (2019)
Women in Science. I am an advocate for diversity and inclusion in science, especially for women in science. As a member of the Homeward Bound Projects, I will travel to Antarctica in January 2025 with another 100 women scientists to raise awareness on the need for diversity in leadership and climate change actions.
My Research Supervision
I currently supervise research projects in the following areas:
- peptide drug discovery, including novel antibiotics and anticancer small molecules,
- protein aggregation in industry pharmaceutical formulations,
- peptide-based or -templated biomaterials, including hydrogels and aerogels.
My Teaching
I am responsible for the teaching of pharmaceutics in the pharmaceutical medecine and pharmacy program.