Rate My Professor Jonathan Astin

Jonathan Astin is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology at the University of Auckland. He earned his PhD from the University of Bristol in 2006. Astin joined the University of Auckland as a Research Fellow in Molecular Medicine and Pathology in 2011 and held that position until 2017.

His research focuses on understanding how vascular development is regulated, with particular emphasis on lymphangiogenesis and the use of the zebrafish model system. Astin has contributed to the development of transgenic tools for visualising lymphatic vessels in zebrafish and compiled an embryonic atlas of zebrafish lymphatics. His laboratory investigates the development and guidance of lymphatic vessels, especially facial vessels, including the identification of venous and non-venous progenitors. Recent work from the lab has identified a growth-promoting molecule with potential applications for repairing damaged lymphatic vessels. Astin is also an Associate Investigator with the Maurice Wilkins Centre and has been affiliated with the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre.