User:N.a.byrne/Michael Cowley

Michael Cowley is a Monash University-based physiologist who has mapped the neural circuits involved in metabolism and is now working on an effective therapy to treat obesity and diabetes.

In 2009 he was awarded the (Australian) Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year and a Pfizer Australia Senior Research Fellowship.

Qualifications

 * 1999 Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine), Monash University
 * 1993 Bachelor of Science, Honours (Physiology), Monash University
 * 1989 Bachelor of Science, The University of Melbourne

Career highlights, awards, fellowships and grants

 * 2009–2014 Pfizer Australia Senior Research Fellowship
 * 2009 Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
 * 2008–present Research Professor, Department of Physiology, Monash University
 * 2009 High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia Austin Doyle Lectureship
 * 2008 Victorian Endowment for Science, Knowledge, and Innovation Fellowship
 * 2008 Monash University STAR recruit
 * 2007–2008 Associate Scientist, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, USA
 * 2006–2008 Member, Heart Research and Diabetes Center, Oregon Health and Science University, USA
 * 2002–2009 Founder, Chief Scientific Officer and Consultant, Orexigen Therapeutics, USA
 * 2002–2007 Director, Electrophysiology Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, USA
 * 2001–2007 Assistant Scientist, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, USA
 * 2001–2007 Assistant Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University, USA
 * 2000–2002 Consultant, Neurocrine Biosciences, San Diego, USA
 * 2000–2001 Research Assistant Professor, The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, USA
 * 1998–2000 Post-Doctoral Fellow, The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, USA
 * 1996 Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Trust for Young Australians, Queen’s Trust Achiever Award
 * 1996 Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Trust for Young Australians, Future Perspectives Forum: Personal Responsibility for Australia’s Future
 * 1996 Endocrine Society of Australia Travel Award
 * 1994–1998 Graduate Student, Reproductive Neuroendocrinology, Monash University and Prince Henry’s Institute for Medical Research

Research highlights

 * Pioneered the use of patch clamp electrophysiology of genetically labelled neurons to analyse the actions of hormones on the brain
 * Created a circuit diagram of the metabolic control centres of the brain
 * Predicted that the gut peptide PYY3–36 would have anorexic and weight loss effects
 * Invented 10 families of patent applications (85 patents in total with 28 issued, the rest pending) around obesity drug screens and drug targets
 * Developed several drug targets including peptide YY, and several novel drug combinations including Naltrexone + Buproopion; both are now in phase 2/3 development
 * Founding intellectual property behind Thiakis Inc, recently acquired by Wyeth, and founder and chief scientific officer of Orexigen Therapeutics
 * Received 23 sponsored research awards with value in excess of $15 million
 * Has given 50 invited national and international lectures, published 40 original manuscripts and written 15 reviews