Laura Dowling is a PhD Candidate and Research Assistant within the Nutrition and Immunometabolism Theme of the Immune Health Research Programe at the Hunter Medical Research Institute and School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy at The University of Newcastle, Australia.

Her doctoral thesis investigates the effect of gut microbiota-derived metabolites on inflammatory responses in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Laura utilises human cell culture models and clinical trial biological specimens to investigate the biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which nutrients modulate inflammation in COPD.

Laura coordinates and performs both clinical and laboratory-based research activities. Her clinical experience includes, but is not limited to, recruitment for clinical trials, assessment of study eligibility, management of patient visits, conducting research assessments (e.g. informed consent, anthropometry, smoking history and pack year calculation, spirometry, exercise assessment including VO2max testing, venepuncture, questionnaires), data entry activities, data cleaning and monitoring activities. Her laboratory experience includes, but is not limited to, human primary and immortalised cell culture (including cell isolation from whole blood and tissue samples), 3D cell culture (spheroid isolation and culture), sterile technique, molecular (e.g. gel electrophoresis, nucleic acid extraction, RT-PCR, protein extraction, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence), immunoassay (e.g. ELISA), animal handling, endpoint and tissue collection and processing.
Laura was awarded the prestigious Australian Graduate Women ‘Barbara Hale Fellowship’ to analyse plasma metabolomic profiles in patients with and without COPD.
Laura serves as the elected postgraduate student member of the University of Newcastle Council, and the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing Board.