Rate Professor Jill Trewhella

Professional Summary: Professor Jill Trewhella

Professor Jill Trewhella is a distinguished biophysicist and academic at the University of Sydney, Australia, with a globally recognized career in structural biology and neutron scattering. Her work has significantly advanced the understanding of biomolecular structures and interactions, contributing to both fundamental science and applied research in health and medicine.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Trewhella has an extensive academic background in the sciences, with a focus on biophysics and chemistry:

• BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Australia
• PhD in Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Australia (1977)

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Trewhella’s research specializes in the use of neutron and X-ray scattering techniques to study the structure and dynamics of biomolecules. Her interests include:

• Structural biology and biomolecular interactions
• Small-angle scattering for protein and nucleic acid complexes
• Signaling proteins and their role in cellular processes
• Development of methodologies for integrative structural biology

Career History and Appointments

Professor Trewhella has held numerous prestigious positions across multiple institutions worldwide:

• Professor of Molecular Bioscience, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney (current)
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of Sydney (2009–2014)
• Team Leader and Senior Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA (1984–2009)
• Adjunct Professor, University of New Mexico, USA (during tenure at Los Alamos)

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Trewhella has been recognized for her contributions to science and academia with several prestigious accolades:

• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (2001)
• Fellow of the Biophysical Society (2019)
• Distinguished Service Award, American Crystallographic Association (2017)

Key Publications

Professor Trewhella has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications. Some notable works include:

• Trewhella, J., et al. "2017 publication guidelines for structural modelling of small-angle scattering data from biomolecules in solution: an update." Acta Crystallographica Section D (2017)
• Trewhella, J., et al. "Reconstructing protein structures using small-angle scattering." Current Opinion in Structural Biology (1998)
• Trewhella, J., et al. "Small-angle scattering for structural biology—Expanding the frontier while avoiding the pitfalls." Protein Science (2010)

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Trewhella’s pioneering work in small-angle scattering has had a profound impact on structural biology, providing critical tools and methodologies for studying complex biomolecular systems. Her leadership in developing international standards for data reporting in small-angle scattering has enhanced reproducibility and collaboration in the field. Additionally, her tenure as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sydney saw significant advancements in research strategy and funding, benefiting the broader academic community.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Trewhella is actively involved in the scientific community through various roles:

• Chair and member of numerous international committees on small-angle scattering and structural biology standards
• Editorial board member for journals such as Protein Science and Acta Crystallographica
• Invited speaker at global conferences on biophysics and structural biology