Dr Xanthe Venn is a molecular biologist with a deep research background in impaired wound healing, currently serving as Senior Research Fellow in Regenerative Medicine at UniSA’s Future Industries Institute (FII). Her work has long focused on improving outcomes for patients with burns and diabetic foot ulcers, combining lab-based discovery with clinical relevance to address some of the most challenging issues in human health.

With the support of SAAFE, Xanthe is leading an innovative project in partnership with UniSA and industrial collaborator Calix Pty Ltd. Her research is evaluating the safety and antimicrobial efficacy of nanostructured magnesium oxide and derivatives, with the goal of developing new products that enhance animal health and productivity in intensive livestock systems. The ultimate aim is to provide producers with effective alternatives to antibiotics, supporting better disease management without fuelling antimicrobial resistance.

Xanthe’s interest in AMR was sparked by her work on chronic wounds, where infection can lead to devastating outcomes and the threat of resistant pathogens. Her understanding of how antibiotics are used across both human and animal sectors taught her that solving AMR requires a broader perspective—because AMR isn’t just a clinical issue, it’s a global challenge that cuts across sectors and environments.

When she’s not analysing data or pushing new treatments toward clinical application, Xanthe is most at home outdoors. Whether swimming in the ocean every Sunday, hiking, camping, or curling up with a good book, she finds balance in nature. With a second degree in Applied Ethics and Sociology, she’d love nothing more than to share a dinner with Gandhi and dive deep into a conversation on political ethics.