Nicola Czaplinski, University of Notre Dame AU
Biography
Nicola Czaplinski is a PhD candidate in Health Sciences at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, studying archaeological science. She has a research background in osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology, with a Master’s degree from the University of Aberdeen, where she applied the Bioarchaeology of Care model to two medieval Scottish skeletons. Her current research brings together osteoarchaeology, palaeopathology, and biomolecular archaeology to investigate the evolutionary history of mycobacterial disease in the past, with a particular focus on tuberculosis and leprosy. Nicola’s research integrates advanced lipidomics techniques with skeletal analysis to explore how ancient diseases spread, evolved, and affected human populations across the Asia-Pacific region.
Research Summary
Nicola’s ASHB funded research investigates the ancient histories of tuberculosis and leprosy in prehistoric Southeast Asia and the Pacific through the recovery and analysis of lipid biomarkers from human skeletal remains. These molecules, which are often more chemically stable than ancient DNA, can survive in skeletal material long after other biomolecules have degraded. Focusing on 13 individuals from archaeological sites in Vietnam and Thailand (dating between ~6000 – 1500 BP), the study aims to identify mycolic acids, which are robust lipid molecules specific to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae, to confirm the presence of disease and reconstruct patters of transmission in tropical environments.
This work addresses a key gap in bioarchaeological research: the underrepresentation of tropical regions like Southeast Asia in biomolecular studies of ancient disease. By refining lipidomic methods for pathogen detection in humid contexts where ancient DNA preservation is poor, Nicola’s research contributes to a regionally appropriate, minimally destructive biomolecular toolkit. The project also builds capacity for palaeopathological research in the Global South through collaborative fieldwork and training opportunities with partner institutions in Vietnam and Thailand. The ASHB grant supports international travel and on-site work that is essential to the success of this research.
Nicola Czaplinski is a PhD candidate in Health Sciences at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, studying archaeological science. She has a research background in osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology, with a Master’s degree from the University of Aberdeen, where she applied the Bioarchaeology of Care model to two medieval Scottish skeletons. Her current research brings together osteoarchaeology, palaeopathology, and biomolecular archaeology to investigate the evolutionary history of mycobacterial disease in the past, with a particular focus on tuberculosis and leprosy. Nicola’s research integrates advanced lipidomics techniques with skeletal analysis to explore how ancient diseases spread, evolved, and affected human populations across the Asia-Pacific region.
Research Summary
Nicola’s ASHB funded research investigates the ancient histories of tuberculosis and leprosy in prehistoric Southeast Asia and the Pacific through the recovery and analysis of lipid biomarkers from human skeletal remains. These molecules, which are often more chemically stable than ancient DNA, can survive in skeletal material long after other biomolecules have degraded. Focusing on 13 individuals from archaeological sites in Vietnam and Thailand (dating between ~6000 – 1500 BP), the study aims to identify mycolic acids, which are robust lipid molecules specific to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae, to confirm the presence of disease and reconstruct patters of transmission in tropical environments.
This work addresses a key gap in bioarchaeological research: the underrepresentation of tropical regions like Southeast Asia in biomolecular studies of ancient disease. By refining lipidomic methods for pathogen detection in humid contexts where ancient DNA preservation is poor, Nicola’s research contributes to a regionally appropriate, minimally destructive biomolecular toolkit. The project also builds capacity for palaeopathological research in the Global South through collaborative fieldwork and training opportunities with partner institutions in Vietnam and Thailand. The ASHB grant supports international travel and on-site work that is essential to the success of this research.
Rebekah Skuba, Edith Cowan University
Biography
Rebekah Skuba is a Masters by Research candidate and Sessional Academic at Edith Cowan University (ECU), Western Australia, where she contributes to multiple units and school programs within the School of Medical and Health Sciences. Having completed a BSc (Human Biology), Rebekah is now research-active, with the Placenta Project (ECU) and is passionate about understanding the mechanisms for physiological adaptation related to maternal obesity and reproductive health. Rebekah continues to be a dedicated academic tutor in the teaching and learning space, supporting students in multiple biomedical and reproductive science units.
Research Summary
The prevalence of maternal obesity is on the rise in Australia and as a result has become a growing reproductive health concern. The placenta plays a crucial role in the development of the foetus, and studies indicate that maternal obesity can have a negative impact causing foetal overgrowth and alteration in programming of adult disease. The exact mechanisms for physiological adaptation to maternal obesity within the placenta are relatively unknown. Adiponectin and leptin are adipokines that are involved in nutrient transportation in the placenta and examination of these proteins may provide key information. In gestational obesity, perpetually low levels of adiponectin encourage foetal overgrowth and increased leptin expression is proposed to influence foetal growth and development. While leptin expression is confirmed in the placenta, there appears to be controversy in the literature surrounding placental expression of adiponectin. This research project will quantify and clarify the expression of adiponectin and leptin in term placental tissue for expectant mothers in six maternal weight subsets, according to BMI. Comparisons will be made between placenta expression of the adipokines of interest and maternal characteristics and, placental and neonatal outcomes.
Rebekah Skuba is a Masters by Research candidate and Sessional Academic at Edith Cowan University (ECU), Western Australia, where she contributes to multiple units and school programs within the School of Medical and Health Sciences. Having completed a BSc (Human Biology), Rebekah is now research-active, with the Placenta Project (ECU) and is passionate about understanding the mechanisms for physiological adaptation related to maternal obesity and reproductive health. Rebekah continues to be a dedicated academic tutor in the teaching and learning space, supporting students in multiple biomedical and reproductive science units.
Research Summary
The prevalence of maternal obesity is on the rise in Australia and as a result has become a growing reproductive health concern. The placenta plays a crucial role in the development of the foetus, and studies indicate that maternal obesity can have a negative impact causing foetal overgrowth and alteration in programming of adult disease. The exact mechanisms for physiological adaptation to maternal obesity within the placenta are relatively unknown. Adiponectin and leptin are adipokines that are involved in nutrient transportation in the placenta and examination of these proteins may provide key information. In gestational obesity, perpetually low levels of adiponectin encourage foetal overgrowth and increased leptin expression is proposed to influence foetal growth and development. While leptin expression is confirmed in the placenta, there appears to be controversy in the literature surrounding placental expression of adiponectin. This research project will quantify and clarify the expression of adiponectin and leptin in term placental tissue for expectant mothers in six maternal weight subsets, according to BMI. Comparisons will be made between placenta expression of the adipokines of interest and maternal characteristics and, placental and neonatal outcomes.