Carla Jackson (née Mellough)
Theme Manager, Strong Beginnings
BSc (Hons), PhD
carla.jackson@thekids.org.au
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-jackson-5879aa47Carla is a Theme Manager, working with the Strong Beginnings Theme. Her role is designed to support the world leading research teams in this Theme to come together and achieve The Kids new 10-year Strategic Plan, ‘Research Reimagined’. To help bring Research Reimagined to life, Carla will work closely with the Theme Head and Research Teams to steward strategic collaboration and the synergy of research efforts, with the ultimate goal to accelerate tangible positive outcomes for children and their families.
Carla is a Neuroscientist with a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Western Australia and 20+ years of professional experience bridging academia and industry. As a Post-Doctorate, Carla relocated to Europe and held academic research positions focused on human stem cell technology in England and Spain, before returning home to Perth in 2016 as a Brian King Research Fellow at the Lions Eye Institute. In 2021, Carla was offered a position in a start-up Biotech company, where she directed preclinical research activities for their flagship program. This led to the submission of gold-standard preclinical data for successful regulatory engagement with the FDA, allowing clinical trials to commence. Now, in her role at The Kids, Carla is delighted to contribute to The Kid’s mission to drive positive change in children’s lives.
Education and Qualifications
- Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education, Distinction - 2007
- Ph.D. in Neuroscience – University of Western Australia, Perth, WA - 2005
- Honours in Anatomy & Human Biology – University of Western Australia, Perth, WA - 1998
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) – University of Western Australia, Perth, WA - 1997