Sarah Ainscough

Dr. Louise Ainscough, also known from her doctoral work as Sarah Louise Ainscough, serves as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Queensland. She earned her PhD by Publication from Queensland University of Technology in 2008, with a thesis titled 'Improved strategies for the cultivation of human limbal epithelial (HLE) grafts.' Her early research concentrated on biomedical applications in ophthalmology, particularly the development of corneal epithelial equivalents and the effects of fibroblast phenotypes on limbal epithelial progenitor cells. Notable publications from this phase include 'Human corneal epithelial equivalents constructed on Bombyx mori silk fibroin membranes' (Biomaterials, 2011), 'Effects of fibroblast origin and phenotype on the proliferative potential of limbal epithelial progenitor cells' (Experimental Eye Research, 2011), and 'Analysis of p63 and Cytokeratin Expression in a Cultivated Limbal Autograft Used in the Treatment of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency' (British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2004). She holds additional qualifications including B.Sc. (Hons), B.A., and G.Cert.Ed.

In her current teaching-focused role, Ainscough pursues scholarship of teaching and learning research to foster student development as learners, citizens, and future healthcare professionals. Her academic interests center on self-regulated learning, self-efficacy, metacognitive strategies, curriculum design, and assessment in physiology and histology. She has secured funding via University of Queensland New Staff and Early Career research grants for studies on self-regulated learning and self-efficacy. Ainscough supervises undergraduate and Honours students in educational research methodologies and academic writing. Her influential publications in this domain encompass 'Navigating the second year slump: mindsets and learning strategies of biomedical science students' (2025), 'Mindset matters: exploring the link between mindsets, learning intentions, and performance in biomedical science students' (2025), 'Students' approaches to developing scientific communication skills' (2024), 'The anatomy of agency: Improving academic performance in first year university students' (2022), 'Do-it-yourself physiology labs: can hands-on laboratory classes be effectively replicated online?' (2021), 'Learning how to learn: can embedded discussion boards help first-year students discover new learning strategies?' (2020), and 'Changes in biology self-efficacy during a first-year university course' (2016). These works have contributed to advancing pedagogical practices in biomedical education, particularly for first-year STEM students.

Professional Email: l.ainscough@uq.edu.au