Lachlan Harris
Dr | Team Head
lachlan.harris@qimrberghofer.edu.au
CAREER HISTORY
Dr Lachlan Harris performed his PhD in Associate Professor Michael Piper’s lab at The University of Queensland (2013-2017) on NFI transcription factor regulation of neural stem cells, uncovering how these genes promote nerve cell production.
After completing his PhD, he was driven to move internationally, and obtained a four-year Crick Postdoctoral Training Fellow position, where he studied the regulation of adult neural stem cell quiescence. Here, he discovered that adult brain stem cells deepen their quiescence during aging to preserve lifelong nerve cell production. In the process, he also helped to define the molecular pathways controlling this process.
He came to understand that quiescence was a major disease obstacle in adult brain cancer and that the biological insights from neuroscience research could be used to help patients. To this end, in June 2021 he returned to Australia to QIMR Berghofer to develop strategies to target these cells to improve outcomes for these patients, beginning his own Cancer Neuroscience Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer in January 2023.
CURRENT APPOINTMENTS
2023 – present: Team Head, Cancer Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer
2021 – present: Honorary appointment, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland
2022 – present: Adjunct lecturer, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS
2021-2022: Research Officer, Sid Faithful Brain Cancer, QIMR Berghofer
2021-2022: Visiting Scientist, The Francis Crick Institute
2021-2022: Crick Postdoctoral Training Fellow, The Francis Crick Institute
2018-2020: Honorary Teaching Appointment, University College London
ORCID NUMBER
RESEARCHER ID
CURRENT AREA OF RESEARCH
Dr Harris leads a team focussed on developing novel therapeutics for the adult brain cancer glioblastoma by targeting quiescent, treatment resistant glioma stem cells. Targeting quiescent glioma stem cells presents a novel therapeutic strategy, in a cancer where expected survival has remained almost unchanged over the past 30 years. The team are also interested in deepening their understanding of how quiescence is regulated at a more fundamental level, which has broader significance during brain aging and in cognitive disorders.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
- Discovered that brain stem cell quiescence deepens during aging to protect stem cells and ensure lifelong nerve cell production.
- Discovered a subpopulation of adult brain stem cells with different cycling characteristics.
- Demonstrated that NFI transcription factor proteins promote nerve cell production during brain development.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology
- Australasian Neuroscience Society
- Australian Brain Cancer Research Alliance
AWARDS RECOGNITION
2021: Best speaker prize at Oz Single Cell Conference
2021: Best speaker prize at the Australian Brain Cancer Research Alliance conference
2021: Faculty Opinion Recommendation for my Cell Stem Cell paper
2021: Adjoining commentary article on my Cell Stem Cell paper from Juan Encinas (Ikerbasque, Spain)
2020: Australasian Developmental Neuroscience postdoc talk prize
2018: 3R award nomination for innovation in animal welfare
2018: Australian New Zealand Developmental and Stem Cell Biology postdoc talk prize
2018: Basel Stem Cell Network Poster Prize
2017: School of Biomedical Sciences Research Excellence Award
2016: School of Biomedical Sciences Publication Prize
2016: School of Biomedical Sciences Travel Fellowship
2016: Graduate School International Travel Award
2015: International Brain Research Organisation Travel Award
2015: Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory Bursary
2015: School of Biomedical Sciences Travel Award
2013: 2017 Australian Postgraduate Award
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
2017: PhD awarded (Neuroscience)
2012: BSc Hons (First class)