Laura Greisman
 Laura Greisman |
U.S. Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar
Media Profile
“Australia possesses some of the most venomous marine fish in the world. Therefore there is no other facility in the world that is better equipped to carry out my proposed research protocol than the Australian Venom Research Unit (AVRU). My research will reveal the nature of fish venoms, and allow me to work with specialised physicians who deal with the clinical and biomedical side of envenomation, treatments, and anti-venoms. This will allow me to distribute information to fishers and people at risk concerning the most effective first-aid measures and treatments.”
Laura Greisman is a Biology (Neurobiology and Behaviour) graduate from Cornell University, New York State. Through her Fulbright Award Laura will undertake research at the Australian Venom Research Unit in the University of Melbourne, one of the top research facilities for the analysis of venom and the growing field of venom pharmacology. She will be looking specifically at the evolution, toxinology and health significance of venomous fish under the supervision and guidance of Dr. Kenneth Winkel, Director of the AVRU.
Venoms and toxins are diverse compounds that have evolved over millions of years to be highly specialised and target-specific giving them endless biomedical potential. Toxins can be used as pharmaceuticals, and therefore the novel toxins being researched by Laura have potential medicinal value. Her research into venoms and toxins could have huge benefits for the research world in uncovering mysteries of the nervous system or for use as molecular tags or tracers due to their high target-specificity.
The AVRU will provide the extensive biomedical resources necessary to perform research in the field of venom pharmacology. In addition, the AVRU has public health resources, such as a Medical Advisory Service, that provides medical advice on envenomations, anti-venoms and related issues to people all over Australia and internationally, which will be a vital resource to spread public awareness of treatments and safety measures.
“I will be working alongside Dr. Winkel to conduct a public health study to complement the less formal cross-cultural interactions that I will be undertaking in the community. It is essential to not only to educate the public on how to treat envenomations, but also spread knowledge on the biomedical and clinical use of venoms, so that the public is aware of their great value to society, in addition to their potential dangers.”
Through her Fulbright Award, Laura will fuse together her academic interests of neurobiology, marine biology and medicine. “The prospect of identifying venoms that might someday be modified to unlock the mysteries of inflammatory, hematologic, or neurologic diseases is compelling.