The University of Adelaide
Research Field: Bone Loss Diseases
In healthy states, there is a balance between the processes of bone degradation and bone formation so that our bone mass remains constant. However, in a number of disease states, there is an imbalance with too much bone being lost causing them to be weakened. This bone loss occurs in a number of inflammatory diseases including the common gum disease periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and also malignant diseases such as blood cancer and multiple myeloma.
Dr Cantley’s research focuses on new drug treatments directed towards halting this bone loss & improving bone quality in patients affected by these diseases.
Melisss is an active member of the Australian Society for Medical Research State committee, she was previously a state and national finalist for the “Fresh Science Competition”, and a state finalist for the University of Adelaide’s 3 Minute Thesis Competition.
Dr Cantley was awarded her PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2013 and is currently a NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow in the Cancer Theme at SAHMRI.