Dr Lila Landowski – Neuroscientist, Speaker and Thought Leader

Extended Biography

Dr. Lila Landowski is a multi-award winning science communicator, Australian neuroscientist and senior lecturer at the University of Tasmania, and Director of Science and Technology Australia. She is a regular guest expert science communicator for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), a keynote speaker at Saxton Speakers, and a Fides health ambassador for the World Health Organisation. Her research spans various areas including stroke, nanotechnology, and nerve regeneration, and she has taught in diverse fields such as medicine, nursing, biotechnology, pharmacy and science over the last 15+ years. Coming from a disadvantaged background, Lila’s broader life story exemplifies determination, resilience and overcoming the odds.

Lila has a strong personal focus on community health and wellbeing, making the wonderful world of science more accessible to the community through radio, TV, public talks and in print and digital media. With over 100 million social media viewers and a regular radio presence, she regularly distils complex topics for the public.

The TEDx speakers’ achievements include receiving the Premier’s Young Achiever of the Year and an Australian Institute of Policy and Science Young Tall Poppy award, as well as being a finalist for an Australian Museum Eureka Award (2023, 2025) and Young Australian of the Year (2015). She was featured in the documentary “Women of the Island: Catching Opportunity,” and has appeared in two episodes of ABC TV docuseries Secret Science., and a BBC documentary for Rolex. Lila was named one of ABC Science Show’s Top 100 Scientists, and was named as one of Australia’s top 20 Scientists under 40 by the Herald Sun.

As a neuroscientist, Lila’s research expertise is in axon guidance, neural repair mechanisms, therapeutic development for nerve damage, stroke, nanotechnology and fatigue. In 2014, after completing her PhD at the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania (AUS), Lila trained at the Peripheral Nerve lab at the Mayo Clinic (MA, USA) to cement her status as an emerging leader in the field of peripheral nerve injury.  She was recruited to teach and coordinate neuroscience units at the Wicking Dementia Centre (AUS) at the same time. In recent years, her research focus has shifted from peripheral neuropathy to stroke and fatigue. From 2018-2021 Lila was a postdoctoral research fellow in neuroplasticity in the lab of Professor David Howells at the University of Tasmania (AUS) and a visiting scholar at the Florey Institute’s Melbourne Brain Centre (Austin Hospital, Melbourne, AUS), including visits to Oxford University. With the support of an investment from the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation, her foremost research goal was to transform the success of preclinical stroke research.

A leading voice in STEM and advocacy, Lila holds honorary titles such as “Superstar of STEM,” and has been an ambassador for public school education for the Tasmanian Department of Education, a Patron of Science for Elizabeth College, and was named a “Science superhero” by Australia’s then-Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel. She was also inducted into the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women (2025), recognised for service to science, education, community, advocacy and inclusion.

Lila advocates for the Australian health and medical research sector nationally through her roles as a Director and Executive Director of the Australian Society for Medical Research (2018-2023) and a Director (2023 – present) and Vice President (2024 – 2025) of Science and Technology Australia, and Epilepsy Tasmania (2018-2023). She is deeply frustrated by the persistent lack of new federal investment in the sector and the all-too-frequent exodus of talented researchers who are either forced to leave research, or move overseas in search of more stable opportunities – taking their brilliant ideas with them. Driven by a passion to reverse this trend, Lila channels her energy into advocating for the sector, working to raise awareness of its challenges at the government level.

As an educator, Lila has taught across the across the Bachelor of Medicine, Dementia Care, Medical Research, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Nursing, Paramedicine and Science; as well as the Masters of Medical Research and Dementia Care. She has received multiple University of Tasmania citations, the University’s highest award honour, including Vice-Chancellor’s citations recognising teaching and community engagement.

Dr Lila Landowski is committed to amplifying the voices of her colleagues in the research and medical community, promoting their work and knowledge to the media and ensuring their contributions are recognised, valued, and supported. Lila believes that by elevating these voices, she can help raise societal interest and appreciation of medical research, and thus secure the stable and sustainable funding needed to keep Australia at the forefront of innovation.