Dr Sih Min Tan is a Senior Research Fellow in the Downie Laboratory: Anterior Eye, Clinical Trials and Research Translation Unit, working with Professor Laura Downie in the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne. She obtained her PhD from the University of Melbourne, where her doctoral research focused on the development of novel anti‑fibrotic therapies for diabetic complications.
Dr Tan has over 15 years of experience leading translational biomedical research programs at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute (2011–2016), Monash University’s Department of Diabetes (2017–2024), and the Centre for Inflammatory Diseases (2025). Her research expertise includes preclinical mouse models of chronic disease, with a strong focus on diabetes‑associated microvascular complications. Her work has examined how innate immune pathways, particularly the complement system, alongside metabolic stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, drive inflammation and tissue injury.
She also has experience in cell‑based therapeutic approaches, including leading and contributing to preclinical and early‑phase clinical research programs and supporting readiness for first‑in‑human clinical trials. Her current research focuses on applying cross‑disciplinary insights and in vivo modelling approaches to investigate inflammatory mechanisms relevant to anterior eye disease. She also contributes to postgraduate student supervision and provides support across human research ethics and project management for translational and clinical research programs.
Dr Tan’s research has been supported by competitive national and international funding, including a Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) International Postdoctoral Fellowship, followed by an Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship, and an NHMRC Ideas Grant as CIA. Her research excellence and leadership have been recognised with an ANZSN Mid‑Career Award and a Basic Science Award, as well as invitations to speak at national and international scientific meetings, including the Australasian Diabetes Congress.