Mr Steven Lombardo

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Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar

Media profile

“Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illness in the U.S. and Australia. They are characterised by an overwhelming sense of worry and tension without an identifiable cause. They affect approximately 18 percent of the adult population in a given year.”

Steven Lombardo, a recent graduate from the University of Toledo, will spend a year at the University of Sydney through his Fulbright, evaluating novel flavonoids for the treatment of anxiety. Secondly he will work with the Black Dog Institute on the promotion of mental illness as an important health issue.

“Flavonoids are a class of naturally-occurring compounds synthesized by plants. They are consumed in the human diet through a number of food sources including fruits, vegetables, tea and red wine,” Steven said.

“Researchers are very interested in them because recently it has been shown that some flavonoids exhibit a range of health benefits. These include anti-anxiety effects through interaction with certain chemical receptors found in the human brain.”

In their natural state flavonoids are only partially effective. Steven will work with Associate Professor Mary Collins and her research team at the University of Sydney to modify flavonoids and enhance their effectiveness.

Steven will be conducting pharmacological experiments to help evaluate how well the new derivatives work. The aim of his project is to develop compounds that may proceed into human clinical trials.

While he is in Australia, Steven will also work on the public education side of mental illness through the Black Dog institute, an organisation that provides community outreach services for depression and bipolar disorder.

Steven graduated summa cum laude from the University of Toledo with a BSPS in Pharmacology/Toxicology and minors in Biology and Chemistry. He also received college and departmental honors in addition to being named valedictorian of the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program. He has received various awards and prizes including the College of Pharmacy Centennial Scholarship, the Dr Gerald P. Sherman BSPS Scholarship, a Biomedical Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship and a Phi Kappa Phi Award of Excellence. In addition to his academic work he has volunteered with St Paul’s Community Center, Habitat for Humanity, and the Toledo Hospital as an Inpatient Pharmacy Volunteer.