Staff Profiles

The APAF team at Macquarie University have expertise in a wide range of areas and are engaged in diverse research projects covering many aspects of proteomics.

Dr Belinda Schiller
Facility Manager

Dr Belinda Schiller is the Facility Manager of APAF.  Belinda started her research career in proteomics at the Australian National University where she completed her PhD in 2008.  Her research background is focussed in the areas of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and after spending time as a postdoctoral researcher and then project manager of a biotechnology company, Belinda moved into the pharmaceutical and medical device industry.  Her key focus was in the areas of Compliance and interactions with healthcare professionals and patients; and Belinda now brings the skills she has learnt through working in this highly regulated, competitive and fast paced environment to APAF.

Belinda is passionate about the growth and development of research and scientific capabilities in Australia and is focussed on quality, collaboration and innovation at APAF to continue to provide services to, and partnership with, a wide range of organisations and individuals.

Dr. David Cantor
Technology Manager – Protein Analysis

Dr. Cantor is the Technology Manager for Protein Analysis at APAF. In 2017, he completed a PhD at Macquarie University, in which he utilised mass spectrometry in combination with cell and immunoanalytical platforms to investigate a novel mechanism of metastasis in colorectal cancer. He has since been applying this expertise to a wide range of biomolecular investigations.

David maintains a continued interest in how cells and proteins act in concert to produce cellular behaviours, particularly in diseased states, such as cancer.

An experience life scientist, David manages a team of highly-skilled scientists, focused on delivering a range of services for APAF’s Australian and International clients. With over 10 years’ experience in the field, Dr. Cantor is a multi-disciplinary researcher who has worked with academics and industry to provide new technical capabilities for APAF.

Dr Gene Hart-Smith
Technology Manager – Protein Interactions

Dr Gene Hart-Smith is Technology Manager for Protein Interactions at the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility. In 2010 he completed a PhD at the UNSW School of Chemistry, in which he utilised mass spectrometry as a primary tool to study synthetic polymers. He has since been applying this expertise in mass spectrometry to the study of biological systems. He has won prestigious Australian Research Council grants and Fellowships to support this work, including a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (2015 – 2018) and an Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (2011 – 2013).

Gene has a particular interest in the nascent principles of molecular systems biology and network theory. These principles provide a foundation from which to make sense of the large-scale molecular ‘parts lists’ (e.g. lists of genes and proteins) that are being generated for many species in contemporary biological research. They suggest that if the connections between these parts are studied and contextualised within biomolecular interaction networks, unique and important insights can be gained into the operation and organisation of living things.

Much of Gene's research has involved studying biomolecular interaction networks involving proteins. He has developed and applied mass spectrometric methods towards organism-wide studies of these networks, and is leading a team to bring these capabilities to the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility.

Dr Luke Carroll
Technology Manager - Mass Spectrometry

Dr Luke Carroll is the Technology Manager for Mass Spectrometry at APAF. He completed his PhD in 2015 at The Heart Research Institute and the University of Sydney. Since then, he has held a number post-doc positions, where he further developed his skills in mass spectrometry. He has used MS techniques to identify and characterise novel products formed on protein degradation, and applied proteomics to large scale biological studies to identify drivers of metabolic dysfunction. Luke has a keen interest in protein modification (PTMs), particularly redox modifications, as they play a key role  in modulating protein structure and function, and may provide new targets for therapeutic interventions.

Dr Ardeshir Amirkhani
Senior Analytical Technician - Mass Spectrometry

Dr Karthik S Kamath
Senior Analytical Technician - Mass Spectrometry

With over a decade of experience in the field of mass spectrometry and biochemistry, Dr. Karthik Kamath passionately develops quantitative proteomics technologies, to help Australian and international researchers in their biological research. In particular, Dr. Karthik works on designing and implementation of a number of quantitative proteomics methodologies. He joined APAF after completion of his Ph.D. and his research background is focused on the application of proteomics technologies to understand the molecular mechanisms underpinning human diseases. He is directly involved in diverse biotechnology research projects spanning molecular mechanism of cancer, bacterial drug resistance, COVID disease biology. Dr. Karthik actively engages and enjoys working closely with researchers to develop tailored, end-to-end solutions to their research needs.

Thiri Zaw
Senior Analytical Technician – Mass Spectrometry

Mr Matthew Fitzhenry
Senior Analytical Technician – Mass Spectrometry

Matthew has more than 13 years experience as a scientist in the mass spectrometry laboratory. He has extensive experience with MALDI, LC-MS and all aspects of proteomic analysis. His research interests lie in top-down proteomics and native MS

Dr Yunqi Wu
Analytical Technician - Mass Spectrometry

Ms. Denise Thomas
Senior Analytical Technician - Protein Analysis

Ms. Fei Chi
Senior Analytical Technician - Protein Analysis

Prashina Singh
Analytical Technician - Protein Analysis

Dr Muhammad Zenaidee
Senior Analytical Technician - Protein Interactions

Dr Will Klare
Senior Analytical Technician - Bioinformatics

Anita Stone
Quality Systems Officer

Ms Stone is the Quality Systems Officer for APAF. Working in environmental testing facilities accredited to NATA and ISO/IEC 17025 for over 15 years ignited her interest in quality management systems. From then on, Anita has dedicated her work and professional development as a quality management systems specialist. She has worked with the APAF team to establish compliance and NATA accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 under the Research and Development Accreditation program. She continues to support APAF in quality management and teaches the Laboratory Quality Systems unit for Macquarie University.