Dr. Alex Combes

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Combes laboratory focuses on kidney development and disease. The team uses single cell sequencing, 3D imaging, and molecular genetics to investigate tissue formation and disruptions in developmental programs that contribute to disease. Recent work has utilized single cell sequencing to interrogate signaling pathways controlling progenitor maintenance and differentiation in developing kidneys, and to assess how well stem cell-derived kidney organoids represent human fetal kidneys. The ongoing focus is on understanding how progenitor cell migration impacts cell fate decisions, which may lead to new diagnostics and avenues for improving the production of stem cell-derived kidney tissue for disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. Dr. Combes completed his PhD studies under Professor Peter Koopman at the University of Queensland and undertook postdoctoral research in the laboratories of Professors Emma Whitelaw and Melissa at the University of Queensland and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. His work has pioneered new 3D imaging approaches and led to the discovery of novel cell behaviors and new genetic pathways contributing to kidney disease. Dr. Combes was awarded an ARC DECRA fellowship in 2015 at the University of Melbourne, leading a team focused on the molecular regulation of kidney development. He relocated to Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute in September 2019.

Research Interests

Experience

Senior Lecturer

2019-09-01 — Present

Monash University • Melbourne, Australia

Focuses on kidney development and disease using advanced imaging and genetic methods.

Requirements for Monash University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:12
Reading
Required:13
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:18
Total
Required:79
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a related field
Application Checklist
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Proof of English Proficiency
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Copy of Passport
Specialization Notes

Requirements are standardized across the Faculty of Information Technology for most Master's programs including Computer Science and Data Science.