Dr Tom Karagiannis is a Research Fellow in the Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease laboratory. He completed a BSc Honours (Pathology) at the University of Melbourne in 1997. This was followed by completion of a PhD program (2001) at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. His PhD studies were aimed at developing DNA-targeted cancer therapies, and these formed the basis of his postdoctoral studies in the Molecular Radiation Biology Laboratory at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre until 2009.

In association with Professor Sam El-Osta, Dr Karagiannis had an interest in epigenetic mechanisms and the biological effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors for over two decades. He has continued this work at the Baker Institute and Alfred Research Alliance precinct since 2009. In addition, Dr Karagiannis has been involved in teaching in the discipline of Pathology at the University of Melbourne as a lecturer and senior demonstrator since 1999. Currently, his key research interests include:

1. Investigation of the epigenetic effects of synthetic and dietary histone deacetylase inhibitors in human health and disease.
2. Development of nanoparticle-based formulations for evaluation of receptor binding and intracellular trafficking.
3. Investigation of pathologies associated with viral infection.