AusHealth CureCell Award winner, Julia Leeflang – genetically engineering bacteria to grow inside cancerous tumours and release drugs
In July, 65 PhD students submitted single-page synopses on their research into cell or biological therapies. In this series of posts we talk with the seven award winners about their ground-breaking science, their lives as a researcher and how they’ll spend their $10,000 prize…
Winner: Julia Leeflang
Institution: University of Adelaide
Award: AusHealth CureCell Award, 2025
Research project: Engineering Next-Generation Colorectal Cancer Treatments
Congratulations Julia! How did it feel to win the award?
It felt great! It’s been a struggle in the lab recently, so it’s been great to have a big win.
How will the cash prize help you?
It will mostly go towards daily living expenses. With the current economy, it’s a huge relief. I also hope to put some into savings and create some stability for the future. But of course I would also love to take a recovery holiday and refresh myself before the final stretch of my PhD.
How was the application process for the award?
I really liked the personal interview we had, rather than just typing out an application as we often do for scholarships. It was nice to have the opportunity to talk and show my passion for the work.
How did you come across the AusHealth CureCell Awards?
I found out through a university newsletter. I didn’t expect to get a spot, but you never know until you try!
How is your research going right now?
It’s been stressful recently with a lot of delays – about a year’s worth – but things are finally starting to come together. I’m in the final stretch of my PhD, and it’s exciting to see progress.
What have you learned from the process of doing a PhD?
I’ve learned a lot of organisational skills, resilience and the ability to advocate for myself. You need to be intrinsically self-motivated and know how to ask for help when you need it. It’s a steep learning curve but I have a great support network.
How do you describe your research to a layperson?
I’m working on developing new therapies for colorectal cancer. Specifically, I’m looking at probiotic bacteria that find and live inside tumours. And I’m genetically engineering them to make anti-cancer drugs. I study how they evolve so that I can improve their ability to grow inside tumours and then release drugs to treat the tumour.
Did you always want to pursue research?
I started with a Bachelor of Science because I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. Initially, I thought research wasn’t for me, but after doing a lab placement, I realised I loved it. It just felt right, so I stuck with it and later upgraded from a Masters to a PhD program.
Was the research environment what you expected?
I was surprised by how collaborative research can be. I had this stereotype of isolated scientists who don’t like talking to people, but I love working in my team. It’s great to have people to talk to and get advice from, especially when you’re stuck on something. You can bring all these different skills to a project and elevate it.
Was commercialisation always part of the plan?
It wasn’t something I focused on initially, but as my project has progressed, I saw the potential for commercialisation. It’s exciting to think about how my work could be applied in the real world, and now that I’ve proved to myself that the work is valid, I’m considering those possibilities more seriously.
Applications for the next AusHealth CureCell Awards will begin in June 2026.
For more information, visit CureCell.org