Ian Harper

Ian Harper is an Associate Professor with a strong background in microscopy and imaging in the life and biomedical sciences. With a Ph.D. in Medical Biochemistry and post-doctoral experience in advanced optical microscopy, Ian has championed microscopy training programs and developed relationships with imaging tool manufacturers.

Ian's career started in Botany at Natal University, South Africa, where he graduated with honors and later pursued postgraduate studies in Medical Biochemistry at the University of Stellenbosch and a post-doc at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Having established a national confocal microscopy facility in Cape Town, Ian later moved to Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, where he founded and currently directs Monash Micro Imaging, a core facility supporting optical and electron microscopy for biomedical research.

His research interests focus on imaging functional structure using optical microscopy, particularly in heart and circulation research as well as kidney development. Ian has been actively involved in training over 1,600 scientists and postgraduate students, emphasizing the importance of microscopy in advancing scientific research.

Ian Harper's professional experience includes roles as an Adjunct Associate Professor, former Director, Manager of the Confocal Imaging Facility at Monash University, and various research positions in institutions like the Medical Research Council in South Africa and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.