Rate My Professor Karlah Norkunas

Dr. Karlah Norkunas is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Health at Southern Cross University, based at the Gold Coast campus. Her qualifications include Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), Bachelor of Applied Science (QUT), Bachelor of Applied Science with Honours (QUT), and PhD (QUT). She joined Southern Cross University as a Lecturer on October 31, 2022, and teaches in Biomedical Science, currently serving as Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science program on the Gold Coast campus.

Prior to her current position, Dr. Norkunas completed her PhD at Queensland University of Technology in the Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, focusing on plant molecular biology and biotechnology. Her seminal publication, 'Improving agroinfiltration-based transient gene expression in Nicotiana benthamiana' (Plant Methods, 2018), co-authored with Robert Harding, James Dale, and Benjamin Dugdale, has received over 300 citations. This research optimized physical, chemical, and molecular factors to enhance transient gene expression yields up to 3.5-fold, advancing plant-based protein production platforms. Other key works from her QUT tenure include contributions to 'Characterisation of Sweet potato collusive virus (SPCV) isolates from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) in Australia' (Australasian Plant Pathology, 2022) and development of transient expression systems for protein production in plants (thesis, 2014).

In her role at Southern Cross University, Dr. Norkunas has been instrumental in curriculum innovation, receiving commendations and citations from the Vice-Chancellor and the Centre for Teaching and Learning, alongside Dr. Lily Guo and the team, for the transformative design and implementation of the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science curriculum in 2024. This program addresses real-life healthcare challenges through relevant assessments. She actively contributes to teaching and learning initiatives, including presentations at the Centre for Teaching and Learning Showcase (2024) and participation in the Biomedical Science panel at Open Day 2023. Recent publications reflect her evolving focus in health education and laboratory safety, such as co-authoring 'Documenting Health Students' Strategies and needs to Manage Competing Demands' (SSRN preprint, 2025) and 'Implementation of risk control measures to manage the storage of flammable liquids in teaching laboratories' (2025). Additionally, she co-authored on practical pathways to GenAI literacy for regional universities (RUN Learning and Teaching Awards 2025 abstract).