Associate Professor Andrew Rowland

I am passionate about engaging with industry and clinicians to resolve knowledge gaps regarding the impact of life stage, environmental factors and disease on the activity of proteins that influence drug exposure and response, and using this knowledge to inform safe and effectiveuse of achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. I strive to be a role model for courage, integrity and perseverence to my two sons.

I was awarded a PhD in Clinical Pharmacology from Flinders University in 2009. Following a 2 year post-doctoral position in the Miners’ Drug Metabolism laboratory, in 2011 I was appointed to my current academic position in the College of Medicine and Public Health. Now Associate Professor, and as a Beat Cancer Mid-Career Research Fellow, I lead a dynamic team of scientists at the forefront of advancing extracellular vesicle (EVs) isolation and analysis platforms for use with biospecimens. My team are world leaders in the isolation and characterisation of tissue specific EVs from blood and work closely with industry and clinicians to apply this technology to improve patient outcomes by enhancing drug efficacy and minimising harms.

I teach the principles of pharmacology and therapeutics to a spectrum of medical and health professionals including doctors, nurse prescribers, paramedics and medical scientists. My research focus is the advancement of precision medicine approaches such that they translate to direct improvements for cancer patients by facilitating the maximal therapeutic benefit from targeted anti-cancer medicines, while minimising the harmful effects of these drugs.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. My work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

3. Good Health and Wellbeing
10. Reduce Inequalities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions