Dr. Jessica Kretzmann

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Jessica Kretzmann completed her PhD degree in nanotechnology at the University of Western Australia, where she spent part of her doctoral studies as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2018. Her PhD research focused on the design and evaluation of new materials for the delivery of gene therapeutics. Subsequently, she was an Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at the Technical University of Munich, where she worked on the design and implementation of DNA origami for biotechnological applications from 2020 to 2022. Currently, she is a Forrest Fellow aiming to establish DNA origami research in Western Australia. Her ongoing projects include developing DNA-based nano-sensors, targeting gene drug delivery using DNA origami, and synthesizing templated inorganic nanoparticles. Jessica's research interests lie in modeling, building, and applying nanoscale interactions for applications in biosensing and in improving drug delivery for gene therapies. Her work is highly interdisciplinary, integrating aspects of health, energy, and environmental sciences.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Lecturer

2022-07-01 — Present

University of Western Australia • Perth, Australia

Teaching and conducting research in the field of nanotechnology and gene therapeutics.

Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow

2020-02-01 — 2022-06-30

Technical University of Munich • Munich, Germany

Research on the design and implementation of DNA origami for biotechnological applications.

Research Assistant

2019-08-01 — 2020-01-31

Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research • Perth, Australia

Engaged in genome and epigenome engineering techniques to study cellular gene expression.

Fulbright Scholar

2018-07-01 — 2019-03-31

University of Massachusetts, Amherst • Amherst, MA, USA

Focused on protein engineering, synthesis, and design of polymeric agents for non-viral delivery of proteins.

Doctoral Candidate

2015-06-01 — 2019-08-31

University of Western Australia and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research • Perth, Australia

Developed non-viral agents for genome engineering technology targeting triple negative breast cancers.

Awards

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Vice Chancellor's Early-Career Research Award

2025-12-09
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Early Career Scientist of the Year

2025-11-17
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WA Young Tall Poppy Award

2023-01-01
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Women Technology WA (WiTWA) STEM Academia Research Rising Star Award

2021-01-01
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Forrest Fellowship

2021-01-01

Requirements for University of Western Australia

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:2.8
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:82
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree in a relevant field Personal Statement Curriculum Vitae
Application Checklist
  • Academic Transcripts
  • English Language Proficiency Proof
  • Personal Statement
  • References
  • Proof of Identity
Specialization Notes

Requirements are standardized across the Graduate School for most Master by Coursework programs at UWA.