Our Staff

Alexis Perez Gonzalez, PhD

Cytometry Platform and Dental School node Manager

B. Biochemistry (summa cum laude), The University of Habana, Cuba (1996)

MSc Immunology, Centre of Molecular Immunology (Havana, Cuba) (1999)

PhD Biology, The University of Habana, Cuba (2003)

Alexis’ early research career in Havana, Cuba, and the basis of his PhD, focused on the molecular characterization and evaluation of monoclonal antibodies with anti-cancer properties in pre-clinical models. Upon relocation to Lisbon, Portugal to begin a postdoctoral career at the Gulbenkian Institute of Sciences, he was given the opportunity to manage the Flow Cytometry facility (2004-2006). In 2006 he joined the Flow Cytometry Core Facility (FCCF) at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany), acting first as a senior technical officer, then as manager of the facility (2012-2016). The EMBL years cemented Alexis’s passion for cytometry’s theory and practice. For a decade, he worked with and solved technologically challenging cutting-edge molecular biology projects involving rare populations and cellular markers, very low levels of fluorescence, complex biological samples and demanding downstream processes. In 2016, Alexis was appointed manager of the Melbourne Cytometry Platform (MCP) where he has overseen the expansion of the investment in state-of-the-art instrumentation and analysis resources, industry engagement and collaboration, education and the high-level support of over 350 university students and staff annually. As head of the MCP, Alexis applies his passion for and deep knowledge of instrument quality and performance characterisation methods to best match research challenges with instrument requirements.

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Vanta Jameson, PhD

Node manager -  Doherty Institute

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/ Genetics, The University of Melbourne (2000).

PhD, The University of Melbourne, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute (2006).

Vanta's PhD in adult haemopoietic stem cell biology, first exposed her to the power of flow cytometry as both an analytical and cell recovery tool.  Her studies characterised the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) throughout human haemopoietic ontogeny and the function of ACE and the renin-angiotensin system in the murine haemopoietic system.  Commenced in the early 2000's, these studies pushed the limits of flow cytometry instrumentation, with large, multi-colour antibody panels and dyes employed for flow cytometric analysis and sorting.  These experiences contributed to her appreciation of the crucial nature of sample and experimental optimisation and controls. Following her PhD, she joined the Australian Stem Cell Centre and worked on murine embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation toward various mesenchymal fates, before commencing a post-doc in 2007 at the Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories (MISCL). Her investigations at MISCL again involved almost daily multi-colour flow cytometric analysis and sorting of human ESC-derived blood progenitor cells, and she quickly also became the resident lab educator of newcomers to flow cytometry. Her love of flow cytometry and teaching prompted a move into core facility management. Vanta was the manager of the MBC flow cytometry node since its inception in 2012, before commenicing management at the Doherty node in 2022. With over a decade's first-hand experience as a medical research scientist and 10+ years managing a core flow cytometry facility, Vanta appreciates the effort involved in sample preparation, in 'getting it right', and believes in making the process of flow cytometry as stress-free as possible for her facility's users.  With experience in samples and research areas as varied as nanoparticles, stem cells, brain tissue, other solid organs and immunology, she is passionate about teaching, experimental optimisation to achieve robust, reproducible and publishable data. Contact Vanta for assistance with experimental and panel design, sample preparation and optimisation, data interpretation and publication readiness, instrument and software training.

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Magdaline (Maggie) Sakkas, PhD

Node manager -  Melbourne Brain Centre and Bio21

Magdaline completed her Honours, PhD and first post-doctoral position investigating mechanisms governing the expression of the tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) gene, a component of the fibrinolytic enzyme system. In 2002, she switched to the study of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and later human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). At the time, the technology associated with these cells was limited and she was instrumental in establishing methodologies involving their culture, genetic modification via homologous recombination and their differentiation into endothelial cells. In 2013 she commenced her 3rd post-doc where she generated iPSCs from blood samples taken from patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). She successfully customized conditions to maintain many of these abhorrent iPSCs in vitro and differentiate them back into CD34+ blood progenitors. During this time, flow cytometry was as essential part of her work. In 2017, she left academia to join AMREPFlow at the Alfred Hospital. In 2022 she joined the Melbourne Cytometry Platform (MCP) where she is now the manager of the Brain Centre and Bio21 cytometry nodes. Her extensive knowledge as a scientist and a flow cytometrist has enabled her to assist researchers both technically and scientifically.

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