Super-resolution.org.au
The Bell Single Molecule and Fluorescence Lab
Donna Whelan
PhD
Lab Head at La Trobe, Bendigo
Donna completed her PhD entitled ‘New Infrared and Fluorescence Techniques for the Elucidation of Cellular Ultrastructure’ under the supervision of Dr Toby Bell, Prof Don McNaughton, Ass Prof Bayden Wood and Dr Ljiljana Puskar in 2014. Her PhD focussed on continuing to use FTIR spectroscopy to investigate the functional architecture of DNA while simultaneously developing new super-resolution microscopy techniques. She has also conducted extensive research into the optimisation of sample preparation and image processing by systematically investigating the effects of fixation parameters on super-resolution imaging of microtubules, mitochondria and actin in various cell lines, as well as developing methods for DNA imaging. Donna then undertook a postdoc in the Rothenberg lab in New York University School of Medicine where she studied DNA repair systems and the roles they play in modern medicine, particularly cancer treatment. In 2017 Donna returned to the Bell lab for six months before taking up a position as an independent researcher and lab head at La Trobe University, Bendigo campus. Donna continues to collaborate extensively with the Bell group.
Emma Hooley
PhD
Emma completed her PhD, “Ensemble and Single Molecule Spectroscopy of Conjugated Polymers” in 2013 under the supervision of Toby Bell and Kenneth Ghiggino. She continued her work using single molecule spectroscopy techniques to study nanostructures in the Vosch lab at the University of Copenhagen as a postdoctoral researcher. Her research interests focus on the use of fluorescence microscopy techniques to investigate materials on the nanoscale.
Nicholas Young
PhD Candidate
Born in Japan in 1991, Nick completed his Bachelors Degree in Science with First Class Honours at Monash University in 2012. Under the supervision of Professor Steven J. Langford, his honours project looked into the use of NDI based macrocycles as fluoride sensors via anion-pi interactions. He is continuing this research as the basis of his PhD project under the supervision of Dr Toby Bell and Prof Steve Langford looking into further derivation of the macrocyclic sensor and further analysis of the anion-pi interaction and subsequent movement.
Brenton obtained his bachelors of science, majoring in Chemistry from Monash University in 2009. He completed MSc (chemistry) in 2012 under the supervision of Professor Steve Langford and Dr Toby Bell. His thesis focussed on the synthesis and single molecule photophysical analysis of naphthalene diimide based fluorophores. Brenton is currently a PhD student investigating the reactions and interactions of single molecules through the use of single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy under the supervision of Dr Toby Bell and Professor Steve Langford.
PhD Candidate
Brenton Greystone
Will Atkinson
Visiting Third Year Student
(University of Warwick)
Will is a third year undergraduate from the university of Warwick currently working in the Bell group on characterising a new fluorescent dye that has potential applications in super-resolution spectroscopy. His interests include Chocolate and taking cute walks into the sunset.
Peter Brown
Visiting Third Year Student
(University of Warwick)
Peter is an undergraduate studying chemistry at the university of Warwick. He is currently on a placement in the Bell group conducting a project on the analysis of FRET properties within a linked naphthalene diimide based fluorophore. He hopes to gain experience in working with analytical equipment and how to work in a research group. Other interests include drumming and tennis.
