Associate Professor Michele Madigan
B Optom (Hons) and PhD UNSW
RESEARCH
My research program aims to explore and understand the pathogenesis of human eye diseases within the context of normal human development and ageing.
Three main areas currently define this research program:
1. Understanding the microenvironment of primary ocular tumours, especially melanoma, and developing novel approaches for eye melanoma therapy. This includes studying normal human melanocytes (see image) (current PhD project).
2. Exploring normal ageing human retina and choroid, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness in those aged over 50 yrs. This involves usinghuman donor eyes.
3. Studying eyelid meibomian gland biology, especially related to changes in dry eye disease and the effects of environmental challenges.
4. Introducing students to laboratory basics in vision science (Summer Eye Biology)
We am currently funded for research areas with grants from ARC, and the Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia (ORIA), with well-established national and international collaborations in these areas.
TEACHING
* Convene and teach undergraduate Ocular Anatomy & Physiology (VISN2111), plus teaching in Disease Processes of the Eye 1 and 2 (OPTM3105 and OPTM3205), Development and Ageing of the Visual System (VISN3111) and Therapeutics and the Posterior Eye (OPTM6423)
* Introduction to eye anatomy, and eye development and ageing for the Graduate Diploma in Orientation and Mobility (SOVS)
* supervision of Year 5 students MClinOptom student projects (currently 5 projects in ocular pathology in collaboration with A/Prof. Max Conway (USyd) and Svetlana Cherepanoff (UNSW and SydPath).
OTHER AFFILIATIONS
* Clinical Associate Professor, Ophthalmology and Save Sight Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney
* Research Affiliate, Clear Vision Group, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University
Research Groups
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Human choroid, sclera and retina (normal and ageing)
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Role of the immune system in posterior segment inflammation and age-related retina degenerations
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Ocular tumours, ocular melanoma
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Ocular surface and dry eye disease
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
Current Grants
2019-2023: Australian Research Council Discovery Grant - $450,000
“Do sex steroids regulate tear lipid production in human meibomian glands?” Golebiowski B, Stapleton FJ, Madigan MC, Willcox M, Sullivan D.
Previous Grants (since 2018)
2020: EyeFind Research Grant (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and The Eye Bank Association of America) - $5,000 US
“Human Choroid Melanocytes, Oxidative Stress and Inflammation” MC Madigan
2020: Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia - $49,890
“Choroidal Melanocytes and Melanocortins: Much More than Melanin” MC Madigan, VA Cioanca, R Natoli, PJ McCluskey, RM Conway
2018: Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia - $50,000
“Retinal gene therapy delivery: best route, right place.” Jamieson R, Lisowski L, Grigg J, Grunert U, Madigan MC
2018: Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation - $44,820
“Naevi in the human eye: cellular and genetic characteristics.” Madigan MC, Conway RM
2018: Retina Australia - $39,351
“Identifying key modulators of inflammation as therapeutic targets for retinal degenerations.” R Natoli, A Bruestle, T Fischer, MC Madigan, H Patel, J Provis, M Rutar, K Valter-Kocsi
2021 Scientia Education Academy (UNSW) Exemplary Teaching Practice (Inspiring Students), Highly Commended (a short video on how I inspire students to enjoy eye anatomy and learning generally)
2020 UNSW Dean’s Excellence Award for Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement, Faculty of Science
2019 UNW Publication Excellence Award (Promoting High QualityResearch Papers Scheme)
2017 and 2018 School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Community Engagement Award
My Teaching
- Human ocular anatomy and physiology
- Development of the human eye and visual system
- Human eye tumours