Stella Valenzuela

Stella Valenzuela is Professor of Cell Biology in the School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Australia. She completed her undergraduate studies majoring in Genetics at the University of New South Wales, Australia and undertook her PhD studies in Molecular and Cell Biology at the Centre for Immunology, St Vincents Hospital Sydney and the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Prof Valenzuela's PhD studies resulted in the identification and characterisation of the human protein CLIC1 (Chloride Intracellular Ion Channel). Her work demonstrated that CLIC1 was a novel nuclear chloride ion channel protein. Since went on to demonstrate that CLIC1 was ubiquitously expressed in humans and involved in regulation of the cell cycle. Most recently, her research team have demonstrated for the first time that members of the CLIC family also have oxidoreductase enzymatic activity, in addition to being ion channels. Her group are also leading studies into the regulation of CLIC proteins by sterols. This work has included biophysical studies in collaboration with industry partner, Surgical Diagnostics P/L (Prof Bruce Cornell) using tethered lipid membrane technologies and neutron and X-ray reflectometry studies in collaboration with Dr Holt, at the BRAGG Institute, ANSTO, Australia. She also undertakes Bionanotechnology research, exploring the application of gold nanoparticles for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Prof Valenzuela is currently Director of the IDEAL Research Hub, funded by the Australian Research Council. The IDEAL Hub brings together academic researchers and industry partners to focus on improving the sensitivity, selectivity, speed and cost-effectiveness of detecting at low levels in order to develop the next generation of diagnostic and testing devices.