Contact Details
| Organization: | Optometry and Vision Sciences |
| Position: | SENIOR LECTURER |
| Email: | |
| Work: | +61 3 8344 7005 |
| Fax: | +61 3 9349 7498 |
| Room: | B303 |
| Level: | 02 |
| Building: | 374 Cardigan St. |
| Campus: | Parkville |
Biography
Alex Gentle has worked in the related fields of scleral matrix biology and ocular growth control since the commencement of his PhD studies. Prior to that, his Honours thesis won him the Naylor Prize in the UK. He has established a solid reputation in the field of myopia and ocular growth regulation and his publication record, in high ranking vision science and medium/high impact biological sciences journals, has steadily improved since the award of his PhD in 1999. His work has demonstrated that accurate optical correction of induced myopia does not cause regression of the myopic phenotype in sclera, and has detailed the changes in scleral biochemistry during abnormal eye growth. A relatively recent review of scleral extracellular matrix biology in normal and myopic ocular development has realised more than 50 citations. He also published in a respected biotechnology journal, detailing his development and testing of a semi-quantitative real-time PCR assay.
He has presented his work, on the scleral changes in myopia development, both nationally and internationally at the world’s major vision science meeting in Florida. In 2002, he was invited to speak in the Myopia Symposium of the Australasian Ophthalmic and Vision Sciences meeting, being specifically asked to address issues associated with molecular mechanisms in the sclera and myopia. Alex Gentle was also a member of the organising committee for the myopia satellite meeting to the ICER 2004 meeting. Most recently he served on the local organising committee for the 12th International Myopia Conference in Australia, where he was also an invited speaker on the tree shrew model of myopia, as well as a symposium organiser and session chair.
Alex Gentle has been a Teaching and Research Academic since 2002 and was awarded the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Faculty of Science in 2005.
He has presented his work, on the scleral changes in myopia development, both nationally and internationally at the world’s major vision science meeting in Florida. In 2002, he was invited to speak in the Myopia Symposium of the Australasian Ophthalmic and Vision Sciences meeting, being specifically asked to address issues associated with molecular mechanisms in the sclera and myopia. Alex Gentle was also a member of the organising committee for the myopia satellite meeting to the ICER 2004 meeting. Most recently he served on the local organising committee for the 12th International Myopia Conference in Australia, where he was also an invited speaker on the tree shrew model of myopia, as well as a symposium organiser and session chair.
Alex Gentle has been a Teaching and Research Academic since 2002 and was awarded the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Faculty of Science in 2005.
Research Expertise and International Linkages
Research Expertise
| Research Interest | Key Words | Country of Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| Ocular growth and refractive development | myopia, sclera, scleral remodelling, myopia prevention | Australia |
Qualifications, Honours, Fellowships and Other Awards
Qualifications
| Title | Institution | Date Awarded | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science | City University | 31-Dec-1994 | |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics | University of Melbourne | 31-Dec-2003 | |
| Diploma in Clinical Optometry | The College of Optometrists | 31-Dec-1995 | |
| Doctor of Philosophy | Wales | 31-Dec-1999 | |
| Graduate Certificate in University Teaching | University of Melbourne | 31-Dec-2006 |
Memberships
| Membership Type | Membership Body | Description | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | The College of Optometrists (UK) | MCOptom | 31-Jul-1995 | |
| Member | Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology | Member | 01-Dec-1998 | |
| Member | Optometrists Association Australia | Member | 30-Nov-1998 | |
| Member | Victorian College of Optometry | FVCO | 30-Jun-1999 |
Fellowships
| Fellowship | Date Awarded |
|---|---|
| Fellow of the Victorian College of Optometry Australia (FVCO) | 24-May-2005 |
Other Awards
| Award Type | Awarding Body | Comments | Date Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other (Award) | Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne | Deans Award for Small Group Teaching | 10-May-2005 |
Government Research Classifications
Research Fields, Courses and Discipline Classifications
- Cellular Interactions (incl. Adhesion, Matrix, Cell Wall) (BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY) (270105)
- Quantitative Genetics (GENETICS) (270207)
- Zoology not elsewhere classified (ZOOLOGY) (270599)
- Sensory Systems (NEUROSCIENCES) (320705)
- Opthalmology and Vision Science (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321016)
Socio-Economic Objective Classifications
Grants and Contracts
Research Grants, Contracts and Consultancies awarded to the University of Melbourne as the administering institution (since 2003) as recorded in Themis Agreements.
Grants
| Title | Role | Funding Source | Scheme | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The role of integrins in the regulation of scleral remodelling during pathological myopia development | Chief Investigator | NHMRC | Project Grants | 01/01/2003 |
| TGF-beta control of myopia | Chief Investigator | NHMRC | Project Grants | 01/01/2007 |
Additional Grant and Contract Information
NH&MRC Project Grant (2007 - 2009) Therapeutic control of pathological myopia: role of transforming growth factor-beta
NH&MRC Project Grant (2003 - 2005) The role of cell surface adhesion molecules in high myopia development
ARC Small Grant (2000) The role of scleral collagen in the control of post-natal ocular growth and eye size
Publications
Publications produced at the University of Melbourne and reported in the Annual Publications Collection and 'Research Report' since 2001. The Themis Publications module, released in November 2006, allows additional publications from previous institutions and publications from past years to be entered.