Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Dr Nikola Bowden was appointed at the University of Newcastle in 2006 as the inaugural NBN Telethon childhood cancer post-doctoral fellow. Subsequent to this in 2008 she was awarded a Gladys M. Brawn memorial post-doctoral fellowship from the Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle. In January 2009 Dr Bowden was appointed as a Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy and was awarded an NH&MRC training (post-doctoral) fellowship which she commenced in October 2009. Since 2006, Dr Bowden has developed a research interest with the overall aim of delivering personalised diagnosis and treatment to patients with cancer, with a more focused interest in investigating DNA repair in melanoma. Dr Bowden's research has been funded through a nationally competitive fellowship and grants from the NH&MRC, Cure Cancer Australia Foundation and Cancer Australia, respectively. Dr Bowden collaborates with Dr Daniel Catchpoole at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and has international collaborations with Prof James Cleaver from University of California San Francisco (USA) and Dr Javed Khan from the National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health (USA). Dr Bowden has obtained over $1,000,000 in funding, published 22 articles in international peer-reviewed journals and have presented her research over 60 times at international and national conferences. Dr Bowden currently supervises 4 research higher degree PhD students. Dr Bowden was awarded the University of Newcastle Young Alumni Award in 2011 and was part of a collaboration awarded the Schizophrenia Research Institute Research Paper Award in 2008 and was the recipient of the 2007 Hunter Children's Research Foundation (HCRF) Award for Research Excellence for her research into the DNA repair and skin cancer disorder, Xeroderma Pigmentosum, and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. In 2006, she was awarded the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) PULSE Education Prize, an award presented to an outstanding early career researcher. Dr Bowden has been an invited reviewer for the international funding body Medical Research Council (UK), and many international journals.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle, 04/10/2006
- Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, University of Newcastle, 14/12/2000
- Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Hons), University of Newcastle, 14/11/2001
Research
Research keywords
- Chemotherapy
- DNA repair
- Melanoma
- UV-light
Research expertise
Below is a summary of my current research projects:
Nucleotide Excision Repair Gene Expression in Melanoma:
My main research program is investigating the role of DNA repair in cancer. The results of a pilot study into deficient DNA repair in melanoma have been published in the journal Cancer Research. The publication of this manuscript represents a shift in the central dogma surrounding DNA repair and melanoma. To date there has been a central belief that DNA repair is not involved in development of melanoma. The results of our study have now confirmed the hypothesis that a deficiency in DNA repair is indeed a feature of melanoma and may be the reason why melanomas develop after excessive sun exposure and why melanomas do not respond to common chemotherapeutic agents. The major outcome of this research program will be a biological explanation for why excessive sunlight exposure results in melanomagenesis and why melanomas do not respond to common DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents, two of the most elusive features of melanoma.
In addition, I collaborate with Dr Ricardo Vilain and Dr Stephen Braye from the Hunter Area Pathology Service (HAPS) Anatomocal Pathology department to utilise formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) melanoma tissue collected and stored for diagnostic purposes. This tissue represents a very large cohort of individuals from the hunter region with melanoma and allows for retrospective analysis of clinical data such as disease recurrence, response to treatment and survival. Another major advantage of using this tissue is that it requires no direct participation from patients with melanoma thus lessening the burden of research on clinicians and patients. This collaboration was established in 2009 and the preliminary results of several projects have been presented at the 7th and 8th International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research (2010 & 2011).
Languages
- English
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 060199 | Biochemistry And Cell Biology Not Elsewhere Classified | 50 |
| 111299 | Oncology And Carcinogenesis Not Elsewhere Classified | 50 |
Memberships
Committee/Associations (relevant to research).
- Member - Society for Melanoma Research
- Member - American Association of Cancer Research
- Member - Australian Society of Medical Research
NHMRC Committee
- Member - Post-Doctoral Reference Group
- Member - Research Translation Faculty
Appointments
| Fellowship National Health & Medical Research Council (Australia) | 01/09/2009 |
| Gladys M. Brawn Memorial Post Doctoral Fellow University of Newcastle (Australia) | 01/01/2008 - 01/12/2008 |
| NBN Telethon Post-Doctoral Fellow Hunter Medical Research Institute (Australia) | 01/01/2006 - 01/12/2007 |
Awards
Other
| 2011 | Young Alumni Award University of Newcastle (Australia) Recognition of outstanding graduate of the University of Newcastle under 35 years. |
|---|
Recognition.
| 2012 | Emerging Research Leaders Program University of Newcastle (Australia) Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) program for future research leaders |
|---|---|
| 2007 | INSIGHT Hunter Medical Research Institute (Australia) Development program for early-mid career researchers |
Research Award.
| 2007 | Award for Research Excellence Hunter Children's Research Foundation (Australia) Annual award for excellence in research |
|---|---|
| 2006 | PULSE Education Prize Hunter Medical Research Institute (Australia) |
| 2006 | Student Support Award to attend the International Congress on Human Genetics Society of Australasia (Australia) |
| 2004 | Student Travel Award World Congress on Psychiatric Genetics (United States) |
| 2003 | Student Travel Award Australian Neuroscience Society (Australia) |
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- Genetics
Teaching expertise
The following is a summary of my major research training and teaching:
• Currently primary supervisor of 4 PhD students, co-supervisor of 3 PhD students. Previously supervised 3 !st Class Honours students.
• Supervised B. Biomedical Science 3rd year HUBS3409 students to undertake research project (2009 & 2011)
• Delivered the lectures and tutorials for the genetics and genomics component of the M. Pharmacy course PHAR6123 – Human Genomics and Biomolecular Analysis (2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013)
• Delivered 6 lectures for B. Biomedical Science HUBS2409 Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics in 2008 and annual guest lectures in 2005-2006.
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 20 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $1,134,476 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2013 (2 grants)
Investigation of the nucleotide excision repair pathway for melanoma biomarkers.
$199,782
Funding Body: Cancer Australia
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $199,782 | 2013 | 2015 |
| GNo:G1200391 | ||
Development of a chemotherapy response/resistance test for ovarian cancer$37,294
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $37,294 | 2013 | 2014 |
| GNo:G1300897 | ||
2012 (5 grants)
Research Equipment$54,355
Funding Body: Hunter Melanoma Foundation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Equipment Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $54,355 | 2012 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1200936 | ||
Development of a diagnostic genetic test for childhood skin cancer disorders$40,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden, Professor Rodney Scott | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $40,000 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1200164 | ||
Development of a diagnostic test for Xeroderma Pigmentosum , Cockayne’s Syndrome and Trichothiodystrophy$17,500
Funding Body: The Marian & E. H. Flack Trust
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $17,500 | 2012 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1300524 | ||
Emerging Research Leaders Program 2011$15,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Emerging Research Leaders Program | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $15,000 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1101040 | ||
Rotary Club of Cardiff Melanoma Scholar Award$7,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $7,000 | 2012 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1200831 | ||
2011 (1 grants)
Nucleotide excision repair gene expression in melanoma$35,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden, Doctor Katie Ashton, Doctor Stephen Braye, Professor Rodney Scott, Dr Ricardo Vilain | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $35,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1001057 | ||
2010 (2 grants)
Altered nucleotide excision repair in melanoma in response to cisplatin and UV-light irradiation$90,000
Funding Body: Cancer Australia
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $90,000 | 2010 | 2011 |
| GNo:G0190317 | ||
101st American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting, Convention Centre, Washington DC, USA, 17 - 21st April 2010$1,975
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,975 | 2010 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1000132 | ||
2009 (3 grants)
Molecular mechanisms of UV-light induced skin malignancies$285,000
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Early Career Fellowships | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $285,000 | 2009 | 2013 |
| GNo:G0189304 | ||
Genome wide SNP associated study of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia$140,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Rodney Scott, Doctor Nikola Bowden, Doctor Bente Talseth-Palmer | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Paediatric Oncology Project Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $140,000 | 2009 | 2010 |
| GNo:G0189790 | ||
Gene expression profiling of Xeroderma pigmentosum$45,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Rodney Scott, Doctor Nikola Bowden, Doctor Katie Ashton | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Postdoctoral Fellowship | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $45,000 | 2009 | 2010 |
| GNo:G0900194 | ||
2008 (3 grants)
Gene expression profiling of xeroderma pigmentosum$100,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Rodney Scott, Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Postdoctoral Fellowship | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $100,000 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0188353 | ||
Genome wide SNP association study of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia$20,000
Funding Body: Hunter Children`s Research Foundation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden, Professor Rodney Scott, Doctor Bente Talseth-Palmer | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Paediatric Oncology Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0188483 | ||
Australian health & meidcal Research Congress, Brisbane Convention Centre, 16/11/2008 - 21/11/2008$1,730
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,730 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0189663 | ||
2007 (3 grants)
Gene expression profiling of xeroderma pigmentosum$20,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden, Professor Rodney Scott | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2007 | 2007 |
| GNo:G0187261 | ||
Identification of a predictive approach to assigning to undefined xeroderma pigmentosum patients to subgroups using gene expression profiling$10,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2007 | 2007 |
| GNo:G0187256 | ||
Travel prize to attend: 4th Annual Illumina User Meeting (March '08) and American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 99th Annual Meeting (April 12-16 '08)$3,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| PULSE Education Prize | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $3,000 | 2007 | 2007 |
| GNo:G0187298 | ||
2006 (1 grants)
Gene Expression Profiling of Xeroderma Pigmentosum$11,840
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Nikola Bowden | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Early Career Researcher Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $11,840 | 2006 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0186964 | ||
Research Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 7 |
|---|---|
| Total current UoN PhD EFTSL | 3.2 |
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Proposed Completion | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2017 | PhD (Medical Genetics) | Principal Supervisor | Improvements in Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment Predicted by the Melanoma Transcriptome |
| 2013 | 2017 | PhD (Medical Genetics) | Principal Supervisor | Nucleotide Excision Repair of UVA-Induced DNA Damage: Regulation in Sunlight-Induced Melanoma |
| 2013 | 2017 | PhD (Medical Genetics) | Principal Supervisor | Nucleotide Excision Repair and UVB-Induced DNA Damage in Melanoma Development |
| 2012 | 2016 | PhD (Medical Genetics) | Principal Supervisor | Examining Nucleotide Excision Repair Genes in Melanoma |
| 2010 | 2016 | PhD (Medical Genetics) | Co-Supervisor | Role of Tandem Repeats in Genetic Susceptibility to Breast Cancer |
| 2009 | 2013 | PhD (Medical Genetics) | Co-Supervisor | The Contribution of Genetic Susceptibility to Breast Cancer |
| 2007 | 2011 | PhD (Medical Genetics) | Co-Supervisor | The Complex Genetics of Multiple Sclerosis |
Dr Nikola Bowden
| Work Phone | (02) 40420277 |
|---|---|
| Fax | 02 40420031 |
| Nikola.Bowden@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | Research Fellow School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Faculty of Health and Medicine |
| Focus Area | Medical Genetics |
| Office | HMRI Level 3 West, HMRI, HMRI |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/nikola-bowden |
Research Networks
