Dr Melanie Bertossa
(She/Her)
Research Assistant
Organisation unit
College of Health
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Location
Adelaide University, Bradley Building, Level 5
Post Doctoral Researcher
Contact
About me
I am a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Early Origins of
Adult Health Research Group at the Robinson Research Institute. My research investigates the link
between complicated pregnancies (e.g., poor maternal diet and fetal growth
restriction) and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in offspring. My research utilises large preclinical animal models
of human pregnancy (sheep and non-human primates) and a range of molecular
techniques to investigate gene, protein, hormonal, and structural changes in
the developing fetal heart. This helps me to understand how cardiovascular
disease risk may originate in fetal life. I have developed a particular interest in the role of
thyroid hormones and how altered thyroid–heart interactions contribute to high-risk
CVD profiles in fetuses. My overall goal in characterising key mechanisms is to
identify targets for both future diagnostic and therapeutic intervention.
Last updated
on 18/08/2026
by Melanie Bertossa
Available for media comment