Biomedical Sciences

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I completed a Bachelor of Medical Science (Hons I) at Charles Sturt University in 2000. I then joined the Department of Translational Oncology at Westmead Millennium Institute (The University of Sydney) where I worked as a research assistant, completed my PhD studies and gained invaluable post-doctoral experience. My PhD studies focused on identifying better markers of aggressiveness in early stage breast cancer using standard histopathological and contemporary molecular biology methods. During my PhD and post-doctoral studies I also spent a considerable amount of time working at the National Institutes of Health, Washington DC. I maintain a particular research interest in breast cancer histopathology and molecular pathogenesis.
In February 2008 I joined the academic team in the School of Biomedical Sciences at Charles Sturt University.

Teaching

Teaching philosophy

My centres around encouraging students to engage in independent and life-long learning; and to equip them with the necessary skills to seek and critically interpret information from scientific and other literature. My approach to teaching includes delivery of subject material through standard lectures, tutorials and practical classes. In addition, incorporation of flexible and blended learning approaches including online forums and virtual microscopy are becoming increasingly important in the subjects I teach.

Current subjects taught

• BMS105 Introductory Medical Science
• BMS229 Histotechniques
• BMS337 Histopathology

Scholarship of teaching

2009-2010 Flexible Learning Institute Fellow
Project Title - Enhancing access, equity and student learning through the use of virtual microscopy in histology and histopathology subjects at CSU.

Current Research

Dr Webster is an enthusiastic researcher with significant experience in histology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. To date, Dr Webster's research projects have focussed on translational oncology and she remains committed to addressing research questions that have a direct impact on the care of patients diagnosed with breast cancer.

Current Research Projects:

• Tracing the origin of variable malignant potential in breast cancer.
• A systematic review of breast cancer histopathology in the Geelong area.

Publications

Peer-reviewed Publications

• Balleine RL *, Webster LR*, Davis S, Salisbury EL, Palazzo JP, Schwartz GF, Cornfield DB, Walker RL, Byth K, Clarke CL, Meltzer PS (2008) (* these authors contributed equally to this study). Molecular grading of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Clinical Cancer Research, 14(24):8244-52.
• Webster LR, Lee SF, Ringland C, Morey AL, Hanby AM, Morgan G, Byth K, Mote PA, Provan PJ, Ellis IO, Lamoury G, Ravdin P, Clarke CL, Ward RL, Balleine RL, Hawkins NJ (2008). Poor prognosis ER-positive breast cancer identified by histopathologic sub-classification. Clinical Cancer Research, 14(20):6625-33.
• Guminski AD, Balleine RL, Chiew YE, Webster LR, Tapner M, Farrell GC, Harnett PR, de Fazio A (2006) MPR2 (ABCC2) and cisplatin sensitivity in hepatocytes and human ovarian cancer. Gynecologic Oncology, 100:239-46.
• Webster LR, Bilous AM, Willis L, Burgemeister FC, Salisbury ELC, Clarke CL, Balleine RL (2005) Histopathologic indicators of breast cancer biology: insights from population mammographic screening. British Journal of Cancer, 92:1366-1371.
• Balleine RL, Earls PJ, Webster LR, Mote PA, de Fazio A, Harnett PR, Clarke CL (2004) Expression of progesterone receptor A and B isoforms in low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. The International Journal of Gynecological Pathology, 23:138-44.
• Moriarty HT & Webster LR (2003) Fragile sites and bladder cancer. Cancer, Genetics and Cytogenetics, 140:89-98 (review).
• Webster LR, McKenzie GH, Moriarty HT (2002) Organophosphate-based pesticides and genetic damage implicated with bladder cancer. Cancer, Genetics and Cytogenetics, 133:112-117.
• Webster LR, Moriarty HT (2001) Optimisation of aphidicolin concentration for fragile site expression. The Journal of the Association of Genetic Technologists, 27:41-43.

Published Abstracts

• Webster LR, Bilous AM, Willis L, Byth K, Burgmeister FC, Salisbury ELC, Clarke CL, Balleine RL (2004) Histopathologic indicators of breast cancer biology. Proceedings of 4th Scientific Meeting Australasian Society for Breast Disease, The Breast, 13:159-167.

Conference Presentations

• Lee SF, Webster LR, Ringland C, Byth K, Ward RL, Balleine RL, Hawkins NJ (2007) Classification of breast cancer using histopathological assessment and biomarkers. 34th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Adelaide, Australia.
• Webster LR, Salisbury EL, Clarke CL, Balleine RL (2006) Phenotypic indicators of ductal carcinoma in situ biology. 97th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, Washington DC, USA.
• Webster LR, Bilous AM, Willis L, Byth K, Burgmeister FC, Salisbury ELC, Clarke CL, Balleine RL (2003) Histopathologic indicators of breast cancer biology. Australasian Society for Breast Disease Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
• Balleine RL, Earls PJ, Webster LR, Mote PA, de Fazio A, Harnett PR, Clarke CL (2003) Expression of progesterone receptor A and B isoforms in low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. American Association for Cancer Research, Washington, USA.
• Webster LR, Bilous AM, Willis L, Byth K, Burgmeister FC, Salisbury ELC,
• Clarke CL, Balleine RL (2003) Histopathologic indicators of breast cancer biology. Australian Society for Medical Research NSW Conference, Sydney, Australia.
• Balleine RL, Earls PJ, Webster LR, Mote PA, de Fazio A, Harnett PR, Clarke CL (2003) Expression of progesterone receptor A and B isoforms in low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. Australian Society for Medical Research NSW Conference, Sydney, Australia.
• Webster LR, Moriarty HT (2001) Organophosphate-based pesticides and bladder cancer. Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, NSW South-West Division Conference, Bathurst, Australia.
• Moriarty H, Webster LR, McKenzie G, Kent J (2001) The link between organophosphates and bladder cancer. Eighth Australian Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Conference, Sydney, Australia.
• Webster LR, Moriarty HT (2000) Common fragile sites implicated in human bladder cancer. Australian Institute of Medical Scientists National Conference, Sydney, Australia.

Invited Presentations (National)

• 2005 Laser Capture Microscopy - Application in Cancer Research. Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS), National Scientific Meeting, Sydney, Australia.
• 2004 Laser microdissection of cancer cells from frozen tissue sections for gene expression analysis. Australian Conference on Microscopy and Microanalysis - Laser Microdissection Microscopy and Laser Tweezer Micromanipulation Workshop, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.