Dr Lauren Thurgood

Dr Lauren Thurgood completed her PhD in the Department of Surgery, Flinders University in 2011. Her work focused on cell culture systems and proteomic characterization of kidney stones.

Dr Thurgood undertook a brief postdoctoral position in the Immunology Directorate, SA Pathology, where she developed novel proteomic techniques to characterise autoantibodies from patients with autoimmune conditions. In April 2013 she accepted a position in the Haematology Department, Flinders University that allowed her to utilize her strong skills in proteomics in combination with her interest in B-cell biology.

Within 6-months of commencing this position, she was awarded a grant from Flinders Foundation to carry out proteomic analysis of the chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) microenvironment. Since then, she has been awarded a further three grants from Flinders Foundation and was the recipient of the Joan Tallis Leukaemia and Lymphoma Fellowship.

Dr Thurgood was a Beat Cancer Early Career Research Fellow (ECR), funded through Cancer Council SA (2018-2021). This project focused on nutrient uptake in blood cancers and investigated whether altering the ability of cells to utilise nutrients could offer new therapeutic options in CLL. She was awarded a Leukaemia Foundation Grant in 2024 to develop novel therapeutics for CLL.  

In her role as Senior Lecturer, she is the Topic Coordinator for Haematology and Transfusion Medicine (MMED3942 and MMED3007), Professional Placement in Medical Science (MDSC3102) and Clinical Chemistry: Concepts and Applications (MDSC3100). She is the Teaching Program Director (Medical Biosciences) for the College of Medicine and Public Health and sits on numerous committees including Academic Senate, Student Appeals Committee and Course and Admissions Committee.