Ben M. Lawrence ESA-SRB-ANZBMS 2021

Ben M. Lawrence

Ben's research focuses on reproductive endocrinology, uterine fluid biology, and placental development and function. He completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with First Class Honours at the University of Newcastle in 2020, where his Honours research investigated the role of interleukin-22 in uropathogenic Escherichia coli urinary tract infections. In recognition of his academic and research excellence, he was awarded both the Faculty Medal and the Dunkley Medal. Following his Honours, Ben was awarded a PhD scholarship in the Smith Laboratory at the University of Newcastle under the supervision of Professor Lee Smith. His doctoral research investigated androgen biosynthesis pathways in males and their roles in sexual development, masculinisation, and fertility. Ben has received several national awards recognising his research excellence, including the Gail Risbridger ESA Junior Scientist Award (2022), the ESA Best Basic Science Lightning Talk and Poster Awards (2023), and the ESA Young Investigator Scientific Article Award (2025). Ben is currently an Early Career Researcher in the Thylacine Integrated Genomic and Genetic Restoration Research (TIGRR) Group at the University of Melbourne. His current research investigates steroid biology in marsupials and uses comparative approaches to understand the development and function of uterine fluid and the placenta across mammalian species.