LEADING EXTRACELLULAR VESICLE RESEARCH TOWARDS THE NEXT GENERATION OF TREATMENTS AND DIAGNOSTICS
With
Associate Professor Joy Wolfram, Group Leader,
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology,
School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Brisbane | May 2025
Joy Wolfram is an Associate Professor at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland in Australia. Originally from Finland, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology before transitioning to engineering with a PhD in nanotechnology completed in China. Wolfram has over a decade of experience working in hospitals in the United States before joining the University of Queensland.
Her research focuses on extracellular vesicles, which are crucial for cell communication both locally within tissues and over longer distances between organs. Her lab studies the roles of these vesicles in both health and disease, particularly in cancer. They investigate the harmful messages released by cancer cells that aid in tumour growth, specifically in breast cancer, while also exploring how to harness beneficial extracellular vesicles from healthy individuals as potential therapeutics.
Wolfram’s lab is currently funded by the National Breast Cancer Foundation for a four-year project aimed at understanding how breast cancer-derived vesicles evade the immune system. Collaborations with the Faculty of Medicine and hospitals in the U.S. enhance her research efforts. Additionally, partnerships with local industries in Brisbane, supported by the Medical Research Future Fund, promote academia-industry connections. Notably, funding from Health Translation Queensland allows her to compensate patient advocates who contribute valuable insights and direction to her research.
Source: Written by AUDIENCED from transcript
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Ready to unleash the potential of the pharmacist health workforce
Last week, Associate Professor Fei Sim the National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), the peak body representing 39,000 pharmacists across Australia’s health system, spoke to Australian Health Journal about the release of the Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – Scope of Practice Review. The review and final report sets out to create a clear pathway for health professionals to contribute more to our health system and practice to their full and top of scope.
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Occupational therapy creates profound impacts on client and patient lives
Margeaux Bartholomew-Carle is an Adelaide based registered Occupational Therapist and the Founder and CEO of Ardant.
Throughout her career, Margeaux has worked in various settings, including aged care, disability, assistive technology, prescription, and mental health. This diverse experience has deepened her understanding of the different needs among client groups.
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Pathology technology at a crossroads
The CEO of Pathology Technology Australia, Dean Whiting spoke with Australian Health Journal about the following:
– Pathology Technology Australia’s key priorities in the coming years
– Current local capability in pathology technology compared to other countries
– How the health system supports change and adoption of pathology technology
– How pathology is perceived by the public and in government as well as how developments in pathology technology are followed and understood
– Observations in the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce ReportIn the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
