Dr Justin Lees

Dr Justin Lees

Senior Lecturer
Medicine & Health
School of Biomedical Sciences

Experience relevant to research -

I was awarded a PhD from the Medical Faculty of UNSW in 2008 – ‘Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Beta Cell Surrogates as a Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes’. During my PhD studies I co-authored a successful Beta-cell Alliance pilot grant from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (2005-2007 - $230,000). I received two ‘Merck, Sharp and Dome - Research Awards’ and two ‘Tow Coastal Association - Research Medals’ for oral presentation skills. I also received the ‘Holmes, Wilkinson and Lowry’ PhD scholarship and my PhD studies resulted in the publication of 11 peer reviewed journal manuscripts.

In 2009, I was appointed to a post-doctoral position in the laboratory of A/Prof. Geraldine O’Neill within the Kids Research Institute at Westmead Children’s Hospital, where I researched cytoskeletal regulation of cell migration and cancer metastasis. In this role, I was the sole CI on a successful Category B Cancer Australia – Cure Cancer project grant (2011). I was also awarded the NSW Government Post-Doctoral Award for research excellence (2011) for oral presentation skills and the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Award (2012).

In 2013, I was appointed to a 2nd post-doctoral position in the laboratory of Dr. Gila Moalem-Taylor at the School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, where I am now focused on neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain research. I was a named associate investigator on a successful Cancer Institute NSW - Translational Program Grant (2015-2020) to support treatment and prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). I have contributed substantially to establishing a sensory neuron/neuroprotectant assessment assay, which attracted several hundred thousand dollars’ worth of contract work from two separate pharmaceutical companies (2018-2019).

 

Experience relevant to teaching -

General aptitude: My persona aligns with teaching and education and I enjoy sharing knowledge and motivating others to learn. I have a broad knowledge of physiology and 15 years of medical research experience, with a publication track record in diverse fields including diabetes, developmental biology, embryology, stem cells, cell migration, cancer biology and neuroscience. I completed the ‘Foundations of University Learning and Teaching - FULT’ course in 2017, which increased my awareness regarding education practices. Concepts such as blended learning, reflective teaching and the delivery of technologically advanced, engaging, and interactive content all resonated with my perception of how education and learning should be conducted.

Teaching experience: I have delivered lectures, facilitated small group learning, been responsible for running practical classes, and undertaken tutor and demonstrator duties in dozens of undergraduate classes. I have a wealth of associated experience in undergraduate training having supervised 10 honours students (9 of whom received a first-class grading), along with supervision of several higher degree research students. Furthermore, I have supervised 6 students undertaking research internship programs as part of their undergraduate coursework (NEUR3211 - Neuroscience Research Seminars). My experience with teaching in both the post-graduate and undergraduate settings has been both successful and rewarding. Additionally, I have substantial experience with peer review and regularly examine honours student theses within the School of Medical Sciences at UNSW.

Teaching/Research Skills Interface: In terms of content delivery, I believe I have outstanding communication skills and knowledge, and this is backed up by the fact that I have won multiple awards for lectures delivered at research related conferences and seminars. I regularly speak in front a wide variety of audience types and find public speaking rewarding. For example, I currently give lectures 2-3 times per year at workshops associated with an ‘In Focus’ – Cancer Institute NSW - Translational Program Grant (audience of consumers, clinicians, allied health workers and researchers ~40) and consistently receive positive feedback. I strive to deliver content which is engaging and accessible. I am highly motivated to contribute more broadly to all aspects of tertiary level education and gain further experience in modern practises of teaching.

Location
Wallace Wurth Building Level 3, Rm 354
  • Book Chapters | 2021
    Park S; Renn CL; Lees JG; Dorsey SG; Cavaletti G; Carozzi VA, 2021, 'Electrophysiological Assessments in Peripheral Nerves and Spinal Cord in Rodent Models of Chemotherapy-Induced Painful Peripheral Neuropathy', in Experimental Neurotoxicology Methods, pp. 133 - 161, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1637-6_7
    Book Chapters | 2021
    Park S; Renn CL; Lees JG; Dorsey SG; Cavaletti G; Carozzi VA, 2021, 'Electrophysiological Assessments in Peripheral Nerves and Spinal Cord in Rodent Models of Chemotherapy-Induced Painful Peripheral Neuropathy', in Neuromethods, Springer US, pp. 133 - 161, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1637-6_7
    Book Chapters | 2019
    Keating BA; Lees JG; Moalem-Taylor G, 2019, 'The Roles of Regulatory T Cells in Central Nervous System Autoimmunity', in Mitoma H; Manto M (ed.), NEUROIMMUNE DISEASES: FROM CELLS TO THE LIVING BRAIN, SPRINGER INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING AG, pp. 167 - 193, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19515-1_6
    Book Chapters | 2015
    Lees JG; Fivelman B; Duffy SS; Makker PGS; Perera CJ; Moalem-Taylor G, 2015, 'Cytokines in neuropathic pain and associated depression', in , pp. 51 - 66, http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000435932
    Book Chapters | 2012
    Tuch BE; Gao SY; Wong JCY; Lees JG, 2012, 'Maturation of the human fetal pancreas: A lesson for embryonic stem cell differentiation as a therapy for diabetes', in Human Fetal Tissue Transplantation, pp. 285 - 293, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4171-6_22
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Park M; Richardson A; Delic N; Nguyen K; Biazik J; Zhang R; Sprogyte L; Nureen L; Lees J; Fajardo A; Kunicki U; Watson SL; Males J; Girolamo ND, 2023, 'A Bioengineering-Regenerative Medicine Approach for Ocular Surface Reconstruction Using a Functionalized Native Cornea-Derived Bio-Scaffold', Advanced Functional Materials, 33, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202304856
    Journal articles | 2022
    Hooshmand K; Goldstein D; Timmins HC; Li T; Harrison M; Friedlander ML; Lewis CR; Lees JG; Moalem-Taylor G; Guennewig B; Park SB; Kwok JB, 2022, 'Polygenic risk of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy: a genome-wide association study', Journal of Translational Medicine, 20, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12967-022-03754-4
    Journal articles | 2022
    Livni L; Keating BA; Fiore NT; Lees JG; Goldstein D; Moalem-Taylor G, 2022, 'Effects of combined chemotherapy and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 treatment on peripheral neuropathy and neuroinflammation in mice', Pain, 163, pp. 110 - 124, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002384
    Journal articles | 2021
    Lees JG; Abdulla M; Barkl-Luke ME; Livni L; Keating BA; Hayes J; Fiore NT; Park SB; Moalem-Taylor G; Goldstein D, 2021, 'Effect of exercise on neuromuscular toxicity in oxaliplatin-treated mice', Muscle and Nerve, 64, pp. 225 - 234, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mus.27329
    Journal articles | 2021
    Makker PGS; Keating BA; Lees JG; Burke D; Howells J; Moalem-Taylor G, 2021, 'Electrophysiological investigation of motor axonal excitability in a mouse model of nerve constriction injury', Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, 26, pp. 99 - 112, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jns.12430
    Journal articles | 2020
    Lees JG; White D; Keating BA; Barkl-Luke ME; Makker PGS; Goldstein D; Moalem-Taylor G, 2020, 'Oxaliplatin-induced haematological toxicity and splenomegaly in mice', PLoS ONE, 15, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238164
    Journal articles | 2020
    Makker PGS; White D; Lees JG; Parmar J; Goldstein D; Park SB; Howells J; Moalem-Taylor G, 2020, 'Acute changes in nerve excitability following oxaliplatin treatment in mice', Journal of Neurophysiology, 124, pp. 232 - 244, http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/jn.00260.2020
    Journal articles | 2019
    Duffy SS; Keating BA; Perera CJ; Lees JG; Tonkin RS; Makker PGS; Carrive P; Butovsky O; Moalem-Taylor G, 2019, 'Regulatory T cells and their derived cytokine, interleukin-35, reduce pain in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis', Journal of Neuroscience, 39, pp. 2326 - 2346, http://dx.doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1815-18.2019
    Journal articles | 2019
    Livni L; Lees JG; Barkl-Luke ME; Goldstein D; Moalem-Taylor G, 2019, 'Dorsal root ganglion explants derived from chemotherapy-treated mice have reduced neurite outgrowth in culture', Neuroscience Letters, 694, pp. 14 - 19, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2018.11.016
    Journal articles | 2018
    Duffy SS; Lees JG; Perera CJ; Moalem-Taylor G, 2018, 'Managing neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis: Pharmacological interventions', Medicinal Chemistry, 14, pp. 106 - 119, http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573406413666170906122508
    Journal articles | 2018
    Feather CE; Lees JG; Makker PGS; Goldstein D; Kwok JB; Moalem-Taylor G; Polly P, 2018, 'Oxaliplatin induces muscle loss and muscle-specific molecular changes in Mice', Muscle and Nerve, 57, pp. 650 - 658, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mus.25966
    Journal articles | 2018
    Howells J; Makker PGS; Lees JG; Matamala JM; Park SB; Kiernan MC; Burke D; Moalem-Taylor G, 2018, '11. Studying human neurophysiology using the mouse tail!', Clinical Neurophysiology, 129, pp. e5 - e5, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2017.12.024
    Journal articles | 2018
    Makker PGS; Matamala JM; Park SB; Lees JG; Kiernan MC; Burke D; Moalem-Taylor G; Howells J, 2018, 'A unified model of the excitability of mouse sensory and motor axons', Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, 23, pp. 159 - 173, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jns.12278
    Journal articles | 2018
    Tonkin RS; Bowles C; Perera CJ; Keating BA; Makker PGS; Duffy SS; Lees JG; Tran C; Don AS; Fath T; Liu L; O'Carroll SJ; Nicholson LFB; Green CR; Gorrie C; Moalem-Taylor G, 2018, 'Attenuation of mechanical pain hypersensitivity by treatment with Peptide5, a connexin-43 mimetic peptide, involves inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in nerve-injured mice', Experimental Neurology, 300, pp. 1 - 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.10.016
    Journal articles | 2017
    Lees JG; Makker PGS; Tonkin RS; Abdulla M; Park SB; Goldstein D; Moalem-Taylor G, 2017, 'Immune-mediated processes implicated in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy', European Journal of Cancer, 73, pp. 22 - 29, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2016.12.006
    Journal articles | 2017
    Makker PGS; Duffy SS; Lees JG; Perera CJ; Tonkin RS; Butovsky O; Park SB; Goldstein D; Moalem-Taylor G, 2017, 'Characterisation of immune and neuroinflammatory changes associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy', PLoS ONE, 12, pp. e0170814, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170814
    Journal articles | 2017
    Mao Y; Nguyen T; Tonkin RS; Lees JG; Warren C; O’Carroll SJ; Nicholson LFB; Green CR; Moalem-Taylor G; Gorrie CA, 2017, 'Characterisation of Peptide5 systemic administration for treating traumatic spinal cord injured rats', Experimental Brain Research, 235, pp. 3033 - 3048, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00221-017-5023-3
    Journal articles | 2016
    Duffy SS; Perera CJ; Makker PGS; Lees JG; Carrive P; Moalem-Taylor G, 2016, 'Peripheral and central neuroinflammatory changes and pain behaviors in an animal model of multiple sclerosis', Frontiers in Immunology, 7, pp. 369, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2016.00369
    Journal articles | 2015
    Lees JG; Duffy SS; Perera CJ; Moalem-Taylor G; Perera C, 2015, 'Depletion of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells increases severity of mechanical allodynia and significantly alters systemic cytokine levels following peripheral nerve injury', Cytokine, 71, pp. 207 - 214, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2014.10.028
    Journal articles | 2015
    Lees JG; Gorgani NN; Ammit AJ; McCluskey A; Robinson PJ; O'Neill GM, 2015, 'Role of dynamin in elongated cell migration in a 3D matrix', Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Cell Research, 1853, pp. 611 - 618, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.12.008
    Journal articles | 2015
    Perera CJ; Duffy SS; Lees JG; Kim CF; Cameron B; Apostolopoulos V; Moalem-Taylor G, 2015, 'Active immunization with myelin-derived altered peptide ligand reduces mechanical pain hypersensitivity following peripheral nerve injury', Journal of Neuroinflammation, 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12974-015-0253-4
    Journal articles | 2015
    Perera CJ; Duffy SS; Lees JG; Kim CF; Cameron B; Apostolopoulos V; Moalem-Taylor G, 2015, 'Active immunization with myelin-derived altered peptide ligand reduces mechanical pain hypersensitivity following peripheral nerve injury.', J Neuroinflammation, 12, pp. 28, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12974-015-0253-4
    Journal articles | 2015
    Perera CJ; Lees JG; Duffy SS; Makker PGS; Fivelman B; Apostolopoulos V; Moalem-Taylor G; Perera C, 2015, 'Effects of active immunisation with myelin basic protein and myelin-derived altered peptide ligand on pain hypersensitivity and neuroinflammation', Journal of Neuroimmunology, 286, pp. 59 - 70, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroim.2015.07.004
    Journal articles | 2014
    Duffy SS; Lees JG; Moalem-Taylor G, 2014, 'The Contribution of Immune and Glial Cell Types in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis', MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS INTERNATIONAL, 2014, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/285245
    Journal articles | 2014
    Tuch BE; Gao SY; Lees JG, 2014, 'Scaffolds for islets and stem cells differentiated into insulin-secreting cells', Frontiers in Bioscience - Landmark, 19, pp. 126 - 138, http://dx.doi.org/10.2741/4199
    Journal articles | 2013
    Lees JG; Ching YW; Adams DH; Bach CT; Samuel MS; Kee AJ; Hardeman EC; Gunning P; Cowin AJ; O'Neill GM, 2013, 'Tropomyosin regulates cell migration during skin wound healing', Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 133, pp. 1330 - 1339, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/jid.2012.489
    Journal articles | 2013
    Lees JG; Duffy SS; Moalem-Taylor G, 2013, 'Immunotherapy targeting cytokines in neuropathic pain', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 4 NOV, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2013.00142
    Journal articles | 2012
    Zhong J; Baquiran JB; Bonakdar N; Lees J; Ching YW; Pugacheva E; Fabry B; O'Neill GM, 2012, 'NEDD9 stabilizes focal adhesions, increases binding to the extra-cellular matrix and differentially effects 2D versus 3D cell migration', PLoS ONE, 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0035058
    Journal articles | 2011
    Lees JG; Bach CT; Bradbury P; Paul A; Gunning P; O'neill G, 2011, 'The actin-associating protein Tm5NM1 blocks mesenchymal motility without transition to amoeboid motility', Oncogene, 30, pp. 1241 - 1251, http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v30/n10/full/onc2010516a.html
    Journal articles | 2011
    Lees JG; Bach CTT; O'Neill GM, 2011, 'Interior decoration: Tropomyosin in actin dynamics and cell migration', Cell Adhesion and Migration, 5, pp. 181 - 186, http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/cam.5.2.14438
    Journal articles | 2010
    Gao SY; Lees JG; Wong JCY; Croll TI; George P; Cooper-White JJ; Tuch BE, 2010, 'Modeling the adhesion of human embryonic stem cells to poly(lactic-co- glycolic acid) surfaces in a 3D environment', Journal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part A, 92, pp. 683 - 692, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.32401
    Journal articles | 2010
    Sidhu K; Ryan J; Lees JG; Tuch BE, 2010, 'Derivation of a new human embryonic stem cell line, endeavour-2 and its characterization.', In vitro Cells and Development Biology, 46, pp. 269 - 275
    Journal articles | 2010
    Wong JCY; Gao SY; Lees JG; Best MB; Wang R; Tuch BE, 2010, 'Definitive endoderm derived from human embryonic stem cells highly express the integrin receptors αV and β5', Cell Adhesion and Migration, 4, pp. 39 - 45, http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/cam.4.1.10627
    Journal articles | 2007
    Lees JG; Lim S; Croll T; Williams GV; Lui S; Cooper-White J; Mcquade LR; Mathiyalagan B; Tuch BE, 2007, 'Transplantation of 3D scaffolds seeded with human embryonic stem cells: biological features of surrogate tissue and teratoma-forming potential', Regenerative Medicine, 2, pp. 289 - 300, http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/17460751.2.3.289
    Journal articles | 2006
    Cao Y; Croll TI; Lees JG; Tuch BE; Cooper‐White JJ, 2006, 'Scaffolds, Stem Cells, and Tissue Engineering: A Potent Combination!', ChemInform, 37, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/chin.200610275
    Journal articles | 2006
    Hardikar AA; Lees JG; Sidhu KS; Colvin E; Tuch BE, 2006, 'Stem-cell therapy for diabetes cure: how close are we?', Current stem cell research & therapy, 1, pp. 425 - 436, http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488806778226830
    Journal articles | 2006
    Khoo MLM; McQuade LR; Smith MSR; Lees JG; Sidhu KS; Tuch BE, 2006, 'Erratum: Growth and differentiation of embryoid bodies derived from human embryonic stem cells: Effect of glucose and basic fibroblast growth factor (Biology of Reproduction (2005) 73 (1147-1156) DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.104. 036673)', Biology of Reproduction, 74, pp. 448, http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.105.050088
    Journal articles | 2006
    Lees JG; Croll T; Lim S; Cao Y; Williams G; Mcquade LR; Mathiyalagan B; Cooper-White J; Tuch BE, 2006, 'In vitro and in vivo differentiation of hESC on PLGA scaffolds and the incidence of teratoma formation', CYTOMETRY PART A, 69A, pp. 401 - 401
    Journal articles | 2006
    Tuch BE; Hardikar AA; Lees JG; Sidhu K; Colvin EK, 2006, 'Stem-Cell therapy for diabetes cure: How close are we?', Current Stem Cell Research and Therapy, 1, pp. 231 - 238
    Journal articles | 2006
    Tuch BE; Lees JG, 2006, 'Conversion of embryonic stem cells into pancreatic beta cell surrogates guided by by ontogeny.', Regenerative Medicine, 1, pp. 331 - 340
    Journal articles | 2005
    Cao Y; Croll T; Lees JG; Tuch BE; Cooper-White J, 2005, 'Scaffolds, stem cells, and tissue engineering: A potent combination!', Australian Journal of Chemistry, 58, pp. 691 - 703
    Journal articles | 2005
    Khoo ML; Mcquade LR; Smith MS; Lees JG; Sidhu K; Tuch BE, 2005, 'Growth and differentiation of embryoid bodies derived from human embryonic stem cells: Effect of glucose and basic fibroblast growth factor', Biology of Reproduction, 73, pp. 1147 - 1156
  • Creative Works (non-textual) | 2014
    Ely B; Lees J, 2014, Interior Decoration, On Return and What Remains, Artspace, Sydney, 21 August 2014 - 12 October 2014, medium: Photography, metal wood., at: https://www.artspace.org.au/program/exhibitions/2014/on-return-and-what-remains/

Significant Scientific Achievements and collaborations:

  • Collaborated with A/Professor Gila Moalem-Taylor and Professor David Goldstein to develop an in vitro sensory neuron assay for the testing of neuroprotection against damaged induced by chemotherapy.
  • Collaborated with A/Professor Gila Moalem-Taylor, Professor David Goldstein, and A/Professor Susanna Park to develop an animal model of oxaliplatin induced hemotoxicity and muscle wastage.
  • Collaborated with Professor Peter Gunning and utilised live cell imaging in advance 3-D tissue culture systems to create in vitro model of cell migration, recapitulating in vivo microenvironments to describe novel migration patterns of tropomyosin knockout glioblastoma cells.
  • Collaborated with Professor Phil Robinson to demonstrate that a novel dynamin ring stabilising molecule inhibits glioblastoma migration in 3-D tissue culture model.
  • Co-ordinated research program to differentiate human embryonic stem cells to a pancreatic beta-cell phenotype on biomimetic customised scaffolds in collaboration with Professor Justin Cooper-White.