Biography

Dr McRobb is an experienced vascular biologist and Senior Research Fellow at Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia). Current research in the Neurosurgery Research Group aims to develop new approaches to the treatment of brain AVMs (arteriovenous malformations). These abnormal blood vessel formations that can occur in the brain, most commonly in children and young adults, are like biological bombs. Prone to rupturing, they cause bleeding in the brain leading to severe stroke. But for patients with large AVMs, current treatment approaches are invasive and frequently ineffective, leaving one-third of patients without treatment options. Our team is developing a less invasive approach to diffusing these biological bombs. Known as ‘precision thrombosis’, the novel technique harnesses the body’s innate blood clotting system to target and block the abnormal vessel and remove the risk of rupture and stroke. With potential targets identified and cell and animal models now established, we are developing new targeting agents to bring this vital solution to clinical practice.