School of Medical and Health Sciences

Professor Simon Laws

Simon is a Professor of Translational Genomics in the School of Medical and Health Sciences. He is Director of the Centre for Precision Health, an ECU Strategic Research Centre, and leads the Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group.

Background

• Jan 2021 – present: Director, Centre for Precision Health, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
• Nov 2020 – present: Professor of Translational Genomics, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
• Nov 2011 – Nov 2020: Associate Professor, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
• Nov 2011 – Dec 2017: Deputy Chief Scientific Officer, Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health www.mentalhealthcrc.com.au
• April 2009 – Nov 2011: Research Fellow, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
• Nov 2007 – Mar 2009: Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Neurogenetics Laboratory, Technische Universität München, Germany
• Jan 2005 – Oct 2007: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Neurogenetics Laboratory, Technische Universität München, Germany
• Mar 2004 – Dec 2004: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, McCusker Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, Perth, Australia
• Jul 2003 – Mar 2004: Research Associate, Alzhyme Pty Ltd, Perth, Australia

Professional Associations

• 2014 – present: Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS)
• 2013 – present: Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)
• 2012 – present: Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
• 2011 – present: Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR)

Awards and Recognition

Other

• 2019 – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research

Research Areas and Interests

Professor Laws leads The Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group, part of the Centre for Precision Health, an Edith Cowan University Strategic Research Centre, which he is the inaugural Director of. His Translational Genomics research focuses on understanding the role of genomics primarily in human health, with a developing application to human performance.  This is undertaken from a Precision Health perspective, which utilises advanced biological technologies and analytical methodologies to improve health outcomes through the development of interventions (treatment/preventative strategies) tailored to an individual’s biological (e.g. genetic) profile, as well as their variable responses to their environment/lifestyle. Properly implemented, it has the potential to shift the focus of human health, and potentially, performance systems away from broad treatments/interventions towards improved individualised protection/prevention strategies for human health and performance.

The Human Health portfolio has two major research programs, which focus on:

Understanding the Genomic Architecture of Rates of Change in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders

• Develop genetic/epigenetic risk profiles for rates of change of related phenotypes
• Determine if peripheral methylation patterns track with changes in related phenotypes

Assessing the interaction of genomics and modifiable lifestyle factors and their combined impact on rates of change

• Understanding the genetic basis of differential effects of lifestyle patterns/choices
• Determine the impact of positive lifestyle choices on peripheral methylation patterns

The Human Performance portfolio currently focuses on developing an understanding of how genetics can be used for the optimisation of training for improved performance and injury prevention

Professor Laws also undertakes broader genetic and epigenetic collaborative research with scientists and industry partners in the Australian and International research community.