Cancer Immunotherapy, Phytotherapy

Research Interests

• Use of novel sulphated glycan mimetics in cell mobilisation
• Role of eosinophils in tumour immune surveillance
• Eosinophil-mediated liposome-based tumour targeting strategy
• The effect of viral infection on eosinophil function

• Harnessing natural therapeutics and phytochemicals in cancer therapy 

Representative Publications

Simson L, Ellyard J.I, Dent L.A, Matthaei K.I, Rothenbery M.E, Foster P.S, Smyth M.J and Parish C.R. 2007. Regulation of carcinogenesis by Interleukin-5 and CCL11: a potential role for eosinophils in tumor immune surveillance. J Immunol, 178(7): 4222-9. I.F: 6.4

Ellyard J.I, Simson L, and Parish C.R. (2007). Th2-mediated anti-tumor immunity: Friend or foe? Tumor Antigens.

Ellyard J.I, Simson L, Bezos A, Johnston K, Freeman C and Parish C.R. (2007). Eotaxin selectively binds heparin: an interaction that protects eotaxin from proteolysis and potentiates chemotactic activity in vivo. J Biol.Chem. March 23 ePub. I.F: 5.9

Clark K, Simson L, Newcombe N, Koskinen AM, Mattes J, Lee NA, Lee JJ, Dent LA, Matthaei KI, Foster PS (2004). Eosinophil degranulation in the allergic lung of mice primarily occurs in the airway lumen. J Leukoc Biol. 75:1001-1009. I.F: 4.2

PCT/AU2007/000209. PCT filed 23/02/07. Methods for increasing the number of circulating cells. Inventors: Simson L, Freeman C, Johnston K and Parish CR. Applicant: Australian National University. Potential commercial partner interest with ANUCONNECT.

Current Students

PhD

Djana Townsend (2007- current), Effect of Viral Infection on Eosinophil Biology

Jade Redfern Immunobiology of infection with dengue virus derived from insect and mammalian host

Honours

Maria Iannelli Eosinophil-mediated tumour cytotoxicity

Matthew Jarrett Harnessing phytochemicals in tumour cytotoxicity

Abbreviated CV

Employment History

2007- Research Fellow, School of Health Sciences, University of Canberra

2003-2007 Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Immunology and Genetics, John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR), Australian National University (ANU)

1999-2002 PhD in Medical Sciences, Division of Molecular Sciences, JCSMR, ANU

1992-1999 Research Assistant, Division of Neuroscience, JCSMR, ANU

Academic Degrees

1999-2002 PhD in Medical Sciences, Division of Molecular Sciences, JCSMR, ANU

1989-1991 Bachelor of Applied Science, School of Health Sciences, University of Canberra

Prizes, Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards

2008-2009 Recipient of ACT Health and Medical Research Grant for HPC/HSC mobilization work

2006 Awarded Best Pitch as part of the Canberra and Region Biotech Summit (2006) covering our HPC/HSC mobilisation work.

2005 warded an NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellowship to support my work in the area of Harnessing Th2-mediated Immunity in Tumour Immunotherapy and Immunosurveillance forming a vital major part of our groups participation in the NH&MRC Program grant #209618, Vascular Biology.

2005 Awarded an ASI Travel Award for attendance of the International Eosinophil Conference, during which I was awarded for Best Oral Presentation.

2001 Australian Society of Medical Research Travel Award