Ms Valerie Zahra

BSc (Biology Biotechnology/microbiology) (VUT), BSc (Hons) (Monash)

Research Assistant - Department of Physiology

Return to Research Staff Index

Academic Background

1999-2001: Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology/Microbiology)
2003-2004: Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Thesis Title: The role of Elongation Factor-1a during fetal lung growth.

Valerie has been working as a Research Assistant in Associate Professor Stuart Hooper’s Lung Development group for 3 years, including 2 years during which she worked part-time while carrying out her Honours project.

Valerie's primary area of interest is the development and maturation of the fetal and neonatal lung. She is currently involved in the following research projects; identifying factors which play a role in stretch induced growth and maturation of the fetal lung, the role of, and mechanisms underlying, remodelling of the extracellular matrix during accelerated fetal lung growth and determining which early markers are involved in injury of the lung following resuscitation/ventilation of the preterm lung.

Valerie also assists Honours and PhD students with various molecular and immunology based techniques in the laboratory.

Return to top of page