Overview
Background
Dr Hana Starobova is a pharmacist and NHMRC Investigator Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland. Her research addresses a critical challenge in cancer survivorship: how to prevent the pain, nerve damage and other lasting neurological complications of cancer treatment, particularly in children.
Working within the Sensory Neuropharmacology Group alongside Professor Irina Vetter, Dr Starobova leads a research program investigating how age, immune responses and treatment regimens influence neurological injury and recovery. Her work connects neuroimmune mechanisms with the development of therapies that protect the nervous system while preserving anticancer efficacy. A central focus is understanding why some patients recover after treatment while others experience persistent sensory, cognitive and motor difficulties.
Since completing her PhD at UQ in 2020, Dr Starobova has established experimental models of single and combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy across developmental stages, supported by advanced imaging, transcriptomic analysis and functional assessments. Her research integrates mechanistic discovery with pharmacological intervention and collaborations spanning cancer biology, clinical care and consumer involvement.
Previously a Children’s Hospital Foundation Fellow (2021–2023), she now holds an NHMRC Investigator Fellowship (2024–2029). Her overarching goal is to ensure that surviving cancer also means living well, with effective strategies to prevent long-term neurological disability.
Availability
- Dr Hana Starobova is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
-
Development of mechanism based treatments of cancer therapy-induced adverse effects
-
Adhesion Molecules and Immunology
-
Adult and Juvenile In vivo preclinical models
-
Impact of age on cancer therapy-induced adverse effects
Research impacts
Dr Hana Starobova’s research advances strategies to prevent the lasting neurological complications of cancer treatment, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for childhood cancer survivors. Her discoveries have supported industry collaborations and industry-sponsored research programs, including a partnership with Swedish biopharmaceutical company Cantargia investigating IL1RAP-targeted approaches to treatment-related neuropathy.
Her research has attracted competitive and philanthropic support, including an NHMRC Investigator Fellowship (2024–2029), a Children’s Hospital Foundation Fellowship (2021–2023), and funding from the Simon Axelsen Anderson fund, the Bill and Pauline North fund and Prep4Gold. This support enables her team to connect fundamental discoveries with therapeutic development and reflects strong community investment in improving life after cancer.
Dr Starobova contributes to research leadership and engagement through the CIPHER steering committee and as a consulting member of the Cancer Prevention Initiative Scientific Council in Washington, DC. She works with researchers, clinicians, industry partners and consumers to align research priorities with the needs of patients and survivors.
She has received more than 15 awards and honours, including the Women in Technology Young Achiever Award (2019), the ANZCHOG Best Abstract Award in the allied health category (2023), an IASP award at the World Congress on Pain (2018), the German State Pharmacists’ Association Medal (2015), and an Australian Academy of Science travel award. A 2019 Homeward Bound alumna, she remains part of its international community of women in science and leadership.
Works
Search Professor Hana Starobova’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
Small cyclic sodium channel inhibitors
Peigneur, Steve, da Costa Oliveira, Cristina, de Sousa Fonseca, Flávia Cristina, McMahon, Kirsten L., Mueller, Alexander, Cheneval, Olivier, Cristina Nogueira Freitas, Ana, Starobova, Hana, Dimitri Gama Duarte, Igor, Craik, David J., Vetter, Irina, de Lima, Maria Elena, Schroeder, Christina I. and Tytgat, Jan (2021). Small cyclic sodium channel inhibitors. Biochemical Pharmacology, 183 114291, 114291. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114291
2020
Journal Article
The NLRP3 inflammasome: role and therapeutic potential in pain treatment
Starobova, Hana, Nadar, Evelyn Israel and Vetter, Irina (2020). The NLRP3 inflammasome: role and therapeutic potential in pain treatment. Frontiers in Physiology, 11 1016, 1016. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.01016
2020
Other Outputs
Novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of vincristine induced peripheral neuropathy
Starobova, Hana (2020). Novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of vincristine induced peripheral neuropathy. PhD Thesis, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2020.972
2020
Journal Article
Mapping the molecular surface of the analgesic NaV1.7-selective peptide Pn3a reveals residues essential for membrane and channel interactions
Mueller, Alexander, Dekan, Zoltan, Kaas, Quentin, Agwa, Akello J., Starobova, Hana, Alewood, Paul F., Schroeder, Christina I., Mobli, Mehdi, Deuis, Jennifer R. and Vetter, Irina (2020). Mapping the molecular surface of the analgesic NaV1.7-selective peptide Pn3a reveals residues essential for membrane and channel interactions. ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science. doi: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00002
2019
Journal Article
Antiallodynic effects of the selective NaV1.7 inhibitor Pn3a in a mouse model of acute postsurgical pain: evidence for analgesic synergy with opioids and baclofen
Mueller, Alexander, Starobova, Hana, Morgan, Michael, Dekan, Zoltan, Cheneval, Olivier, Schroeder, Christina I., Alewood, Paul F., Deuis, Jennifer R. and Vetter, Irina (2019). Antiallodynic effects of the selective NaV1.7 inhibitor Pn3a in a mouse model of acute postsurgical pain: evidence for analgesic synergy with opioids and baclofen. Pain, 160 (8), 1766-1780. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001567
2019
Journal Article
Minocycline prevents the development of mechanical allodynia in mouse models of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy
Starobova, H., Mueller, A., Allavena, R., Lohman, R. J., Sweet, M. J. and Vetter, I. (2019). Minocycline prevents the development of mechanical allodynia in mouse models of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13 (JUN) 653, 653. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00653
2019
Journal Article
Inflammatory and neuropathic gene expression signatures of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy induced by vincristine, cisplatin and oxaliplatin in C57BL/6J mice
Starobova, Hana, Mueller, Alexander, Deuis, Jennifer R., Carter, David A. and Vetter, Irina (2019). Inflammatory and neuropathic gene expression signatures of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy induced by vincristine, cisplatin and oxaliplatin in C57BL/6J mice. The Journal of Pain, 21 (1-2), 182-194. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.06.008
2019
Conference Publication
New insights in ω-conotoxin analgesic efficacy in postsurgical pain and oxaliplatin/cisplatin induced peripheral neuropathy
Hasan, Mahadhi, Mueller, Alexander, Starobova, Hana, Vetter, Irina, Cardoso, Fernanda C. and Lewis, Richard J. (2019). New insights in ω-conotoxin analgesic efficacy in postsurgical pain and oxaliplatin/cisplatin induced peripheral neuropathy. Brisbane Pain Research Symposium: Multidisciplinary Perspectives & Therapeutics 2019, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 29 November 2019.
2018
Journal Article
Transcriptomics in pain research: insights from new and old technologies
Starobova, H., S. W. A., Himaya, Lewis, R. J. and Vetter, I. (2018). Transcriptomics in pain research: insights from new and old technologies. Molecular Omics, 14 (6), 389-404. doi: 10.1039/c8mo00181b
2018
Journal Article
A comprehensive portrait of the venom of the giant red bull ant, Myrmecia gulosa, reveals a hyperdiverse hymenopteran toxin gene family
Robinson, Samuel D., Mueller, Alexander, Clayton, Daniel, Starobova, Hana, Hamilton, Brett R., Payne, Richard J., Vetter, Irina, King, Glenn F. and Undheim, Eivind A. B. (2018). A comprehensive portrait of the venom of the giant red bull ant, Myrmecia gulosa, reveals a hyperdiverse hymenopteran toxin gene family. Science Advances, 4 (9) eaau4640, eaau4640. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aau4640
2017
Journal Article
Pathophysiology of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Starobova, Hana and Vetter, Irina (2017). Pathophysiology of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 10 174. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00174
2016
Journal Article
NaV1.7 as a pain target – from gene to pharmacology
Vetter, Irina, Deuis, Jennifer, Mueller, Alexander, Israel, Mathilde R., Hana Starobova, Zhang, Alan, Rash, Lachlan D. and Mobli, Mehdi (2016). NaV1.7 as a pain target – from gene to pharmacology. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 172, 73-100. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.11.015
2015
Journal Article
α-conotoxin MrIC is a biased agonist at α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Mueller, Alexander, Starobova, Hana, Inserra, Marco C., Jin, Ai-Hua, Deuis, Jennifer R., Dutertre, Sebastien, Lewis, Richard J., Alewood, Paul F., Daly, Norelle L. and Vetter, Irina (2015). α-conotoxin MrIC is a biased agonist at α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Biochemical Pharmacology, 94 (2), 155-163. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.01.011
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Hana Starobova is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Mitochondrial and neuroimmune mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy
Chemotherapy can cause persistent pain, numbness and weakness, yet effective treatments to prevent these complications remain limited. Mitochondria provide the energy needed for nerve function and repair, while also regulating inflammatory responses in immune cells. Disruption of mitochondrial function may therefore contribute to neuropathy through both direct effects on sensory neurons and activation of inflammation.
This project will investigate how chemotherapy alters mitochondrial function and transport in sensory neurons and macrophages, and how these changes contribute to nerve dysfunction and pain. A key focus will be determining how mitochondrial disturbances interact with the NLRP3–IL-1 inflammatory pathway and whether targeting these processes can prevent or reverse neuropathy. The project combines pharmacological studies with cell-based assays, live-cell fluorescence microscopy, mitochondrial functional measurements, tissue analysis and behavioural assessments in rodent models.
Supervisors: Dr Hana Starobova, Prof Irina Vetter Animal handling and behavioural assessments in rodents are vital for this project.
-
Microtubule–inflammasome interactions in vincristine-induced neuropathy
Vincristine is widely used to treat childhood and adult cancers, but can cause debilitating pain, numbness and muscle weakness. Its anticancer activity involves disrupting microtubules—the cellular structures essential for cell division and transport. Microtubules also regulate immune cell function, raising the possibility that their disruption contributes to neuropathy through inflammatory pathways.
This project will investigate how vincristine-induced microtubule disruption influences activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and release of the inflammatory mediator IL-1β in macrophages. It will examine how changes in microtubule organisation and intracellular transport connect chemotherapy exposure to inflammation, sensory neuron dysfunction and pain. Pharmacological studies will test whether modifying microtubule–inflammasome interactions can prevent or reduce neuropathy. The project combines cell-based assays, fluorescence microscopy, analysis of inflammasome activation and neuron–immune interactions, and behavioural assessments in rodent models.
Supervisors: Dr Hana Starobova, Prof Irina Vetter Animal handling and behavioural assessments in rodents are vital for this project.
-
Linking brain activity and behaviour to understand pain in preclinical models
How well do laboratory models capture the experience of pain? Conventional assessments often measure withdrawal responses to a stimulus, but these provide only part of the picture. Changes in spontaneous movement, posture, grooming and social behaviour may reveal additional dimensions of pain and its impact on everyday function.
This project will use artificial intelligence to identify and quantify behavioural changes in mouse models of pain, and compare these with patterns of neural activity in TRAP2/Ai9 mice. These mice allow neurons activated during a defined period to be permanently labelled, providing a window into the circuits recruited during painful experiences. By integrating automated video analysis, conventional sensory assessments and neural activity mapping, the project will investigate whether commonly used models produce consistent behavioural and neural signatures of pain. It will also examine how these signatures differ from those associated with stress, reduced mobility or treatment-related illness, and whether they change following analgesic treatment. The aim is to develop more informative assessments of pain and improve the interpretation of preclinical treatment outcomes.
Supervisors: Dr Hana Starobova, Prof Irina Vetter Animal handling, behavioural assessments in rodents and tissue processing are vital for this project.
-
Mechanisms and treatment of chemotherapy-induced motor neuropathy and muscle weakness
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy can cause muscle weakness, impaired coordination and difficulty walking, yet research has largely focused on pain and sensory dysfunction. These motor complications can limit independence and persist after cancer treatment. Understanding whether weakness arises from damage to motor nerves, disrupted communication between nerves and muscles, or changes within muscle itself is essential for developing effective treatments.
This project will investigate the mechanisms underlying motor dysfunction in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, with a particular focus on vincristine. It will examine changes in motor nerves, neuromuscular junctions and skeletal muscle, and determine how these relate to grip strength, gait and coordination. Pharmacological studies will test whether interventions targeting nerve injury or inflammation can preserve motor function, and whether treatments that reduce pain also protect against weakness. The project combines rodent behavioural assessments, functional measurements, microscopy and molecular analysis of nerve and muscle tissues.
Supervisors: Dr Hana Starobova, Prof Irina Vetter Animal handling, behavioural assessments in rodents and tissue processing are vital for this project.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Neuro-immune mechanisms of peripheral neuropathy:a novel target offering new prevention and treatment strategies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Irina Vetter
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing Models of Cancer Therapy-Induced Late Effects
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Irina Vetter
Completed supervision
-
2026
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing the long-term side effects of chemotherapy in cancer survivors
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Hon Assoc Professor Ingrid Winkler, Professor Irina Vetter
-
2026
Doctor Philosophy
Delineating the role of E-selectin in vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Hon Assoc Professor Ingrid Winkler, Professor Irina Vetter
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Immune cell regulation by the microenvironment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kristen Radford, Hon Assoc Professor Ingrid Winkler
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Hana Starobova's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: