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DrGarth Stephenson

Senior Lecturer in Medical Biotechnology, Infection and Immunity

Faculty of Health/School of Medicine/Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation

Orcid identifier0000-0002-4531-7138 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Senior Lecturer in Medical Biotechnology, Infection and Immunity
    Faculty of Health/School of Medicine/Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation
  • +61 3 522 71185 (Work)
  • Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216

BIO

Acting Course Director: Biomedical Majors.

Senior Lecturer - Medical Biotechnology, Infection and Immunity

Unit Chair: HMM203 Human Anatomy, HMM202: Molecular Diagnostics.

Garth Stephenson completed his PhD at the University of Melbourne and CSIRO. He is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Biotechnology, Infection and Immunity within the School of Medicine, Faculty of Health at Deakin University, and a member of the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation. Since 2022, he has served as Acting Course Director for the Biomedical Majors within the Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree, providing strategic academic leadership across curriculum development, quality assurance, student experience, and course enhancement initiatives. He is currently Unit Chair for HMM203 Human Anatomy and HMM202 Molecular Diagnostics.

 
His research examines the effects of maternal immune activation, inflammation, microbiome-host interactions, and epigenetic regulation during pregnancy. His work aims to understand how alterations in the gastrointestinal and female reproductive tract microbiomes, together with immune-mediated changes in placental function and fetal gene expression, contribute to neurodevelopmental outcomes. He has particular expertise in placental biology, cytokine signalling, transcriptomics, epigenetics, and the developmental origins of autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions. He also investigates the role of the kynurenine pathway in childhood obesity and ASD.
 
Dr Stephenson is an educator and academic leader with a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, curriculum innovation, and research training. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and has extensive experience supervising Honours and PhD candidates. Through his teaching and research, he integrates molecular diagnostics, immunology, microbiology, and translational biomedical science to address critical challenges in maternal, fetal, and child health.



Qualifications
Title: Bachelor of Science, Biotechnology
Institution: Deakin University
Year: 2000

Title: Honors Degree, Biochemistry
Institution: Deakin University
Year: 2001

Title: Doctor of Philosophy, Molecular and Biochemical Science
Institution: Melbourne University MDHS, CSIRO AAHL
Year: 2014

Title: Graduate Certificate of Higher Education Learning and Teaching
Institution: Deakin University
Year: Currently studying

Title: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Research Groups
Early Life Epigenetics

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY CURRENT APPOINTMENT

  • Senior Lecturer in Medical Biotechnology, Infection and Immunity
    Deakin University, School of Medicine

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Senior Lecturer Medical Biotechnology, Infection and Immunity
    Deakin University, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia1 Jan 2023 - present
  • Lecturer Medical Biotechnology, Infection and Immunity
    Deakin University, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia1 Jan 2019 - 1 Jan 2023
  • Teaching Scholar
    Deakin University, Medical Biotechnology, Infection and Immunity, Geelong, Australia26 Jun 2015 - 1 Jan 2019
  • Sessional Academic
    Deakin University, Geelong, Australia15 Jan 2009 - 26 Jun 2015

DEGREES

  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
    Deakin University, Geelong, Australia1 Nov 2023 - 7 Mar 2024
  • Graduate Certificate of Higher Education in Teaching and Learning
    Deakin University, Geelong, Australia3 Nov 2014 - 26 Feb 2016
  • PhD
    University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia13 Jan 2003 - 8 Dec 2014
  • Bachelor of Science- Biotechnology - Honours
    Deakin University, Geelong, Australia1 Jan 2001 - 23 Nov 2001
  • Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology
    Deakin University, Geelong, Australia10 Feb 1997 - 26 Oct 2001

FIELDS OF RESEARCH

  • Immunology
  • Sports science and exercise
  • Cardiovascular medicine and haematology
  • Clinical sciences
  • Biological psychology

AVAILABILITY FOR SUPERVISION

  • Masters by Research and PhD supervision

AREA/FACULTY

  • Faculty of Health

DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL/INSTITUTE/DISCIPLINE

  • School of Medicine

SPECIALIST RESEARCH GROUP

  • Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation