Bryony Nayagam

Associate Professor Bryony Nayagam is an Associate Professor in Auditory Neuroscience and Principal Research Fellow in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Melbourne's Melbourne School of Health Sciences, within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. She completed her PhD at the University of Melbourne, investigating the potential of stem cells to replace neurons in the deaf inner ear, which contributed foundational knowledge for first-in-human clinical trials by Rinri Therapeutics in 2026. Following her doctorate, Nayagam undertook postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Johns Hopkins University, and L’Institut des neurosciences de Montpellier as part of a 2007 Victoria Fellowship. Upon returning to Australia, supported by an NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellowship, she established a research group at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital focused on inner ear biology and regeneration using stem cell approaches. Her career includes roles as Director of Research in Audiology and Senior Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer in the Auditory Neuroscience Unit.

Nayagam's research specializations encompass auditory neuroscience, stem cell therapies for sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implant optimization, and regenerative medicine for the inner ear. Key projects include developing human cell-based models for inner ear repair, pre-clinical transplantation of stem cell-derived neurons into the deaf cochlea, and advanced MRI visualization of auditory brainstem pathways. She leads a global consortium to create the world's first comprehensive cell atlas of the human inner ear (cochlea and vestibular organs), funded by a 2026 Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Senior Fellowship worth $1.3 million. Other major awards include the 2015 Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Research Fellowship, 2019 University of Melbourne MDHS Faculty Fellowship, and various NHMRC project grants. Notable publications comprise 'The spiral ganglion: connecting the peripheral and central auditory systems' (Hearing Research, 2011), 'Hydrogel limits stem cell dispersal in the deaf cochlea' (PLoS One, 2012), and 'ASK1 is a novel molecular target for preventing aminoglycoside-induced hair cell death' (Journal of Molecular Medicine, 2022). Her work collaborates with industry partner Cochlear Ltd. and international experts, advancing therapies for hearing and balance disorders affecting millions worldwide.

Professional Email: b.nayagam@unimelb.edu.au