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Jessica K. Mountford obtained her PhD from Monash University, Melbourne in 2012. Her research primarily involves investigating the role of genetics and environmental contributors to the development of early-onset myopia (short-sightedness), with a particular focus on the influence of COVID-19 lockdowns on the growing prevalence of myopia in children. She employs zebrafish models to elucidate the complex gene-environment interactions responsible for myopia development. Mountford has held post-doctoral positions at the University of Western Australia and is currently a 6th Brian King Fellow at the Lions Eye Institute in Perth. Her research has been funded by various grants from organizations including the Western Australian Near-miss Award, Telethon 7, and the Lions Save Sight Foundation. Additionally, her research interests extend to evolutionary genetics, visual and non-visual opsins, light detection, and platelet biology. She has served as a Practical Class Demonstrator and primary Honours supervisor at UWA, while also contributing to various teaching roles at Monash University. Mountford actively collaborates on projects aimed at addressing genetic and environmental influences on myopia development, particularly in the context of post-pandemic research.
University of Western Australia • Perth
Conducting research on myopia and environmental genetic factors.
Australian Centre Blood Diseases • Melbourne
Researching platelet function and related genetics.
School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia • Perth
Focused on neuroecology and visual sciences.
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