Jim Vadolas is the group leader of the Cell and Gene Therapy group at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. He is primarily interested in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for thalassaemia and related haemoglobinopathies.

He completed his PhD at the Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, and postdoctoral training at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

He has played a leading role in the development of unique resources, novel strategies and applications utilising bacterial artificial chromosome (BACs) with the aim of developing in vitro and in vivo models for b-thalassaemia.

In addition, he had also a key role in the expansion of novel technology used to facilitate the delivery and site-specific chromosomal integration of the human b-globin loci (>200kb) into human haematopoietic cells with the aim of improving gene therapy strategies and avoid some of the problems associated poor expression and random integration.

Throughout his career Dr Vadolas has demonstrated a continued commitment to providing an environment that promotes scientific excellence and the financial opportunity to support and develop national and international undergraduate and postgraduate students as well junior researchers in their scientific careers. He supervises postdoctoral Fellows, PhD and Honours students.

Dr Vadolas is currently an Executive Committee member of the Australasian Gene Therapy Society. He is also a Committee Member of Thalassaemia Australia where he represents in the interest of thalassaemia patients and families. In addition, Dr Vadolas is actively involved in community awareness and fundraising campaigns for thalassaemia through Murdoch Childrens, Thalassaemia Australia, Thalassaemia Society of New South Wales and The Greek Conference. He is also Honorary Research Fellow, in the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne.

Awards:
2003-2005: Cooley’s Anemia Research Fellowship (USA)
2005-2009: NHMRC R D Wright Career Development Award (Aus)
2013- present: Vice President, Australasia Gene Therapy Society