Professor Harvey obtained his PhD in Natural Sciences (Biochemistry) from the University of Cambridge and carried out postdoctoral studies at the Institute for Cell Biology and Clinical Neurobiology in Hamburg and the Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt. Prior to his appointment at UniSC, he was Professor of Molecular Neuroscience and Genetics at the UCL School of Pharmacy (London, United Kingdom). At UCL, he was Associate Director for Research, Chair of Research Committee and Research Excellence Framework Impact co-ordinator. Professor Harvey also served on several Departmental and Faculty committees including the Athena Swan Committee, the UCL Open Access Academic Advisory Group and the UCL Faculty of Life Sciences Senior Management group.
Prof Harvey relocated to the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2017, where he became Discipline Lead for Biomedical Science (2017-2022). He is currently Professor of Pathophysiology and Associate Dean (Research) for the School of Health (2022-2026). Prof Harvey is a member of the UniSC School of Health Executive and Chairs the UniSC School of Health Research Committee. He is also the Field Chief Editor of the open access journal Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. Prof Harvey has served as a peer reviewer for Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and as a member of the Australian Research Council (ARC) College of Experts (2021-2024).
Awards
- Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), Advance HE (United Kingdom, York), 2022
Memberships
- ARC College of Experts (2021-2024)
Professional Social Media
Professor Harvey's specialist areas of knowledge include neuroscience, genetics, synaptic neurotransmitter receptors/transporters, childhood neurological disorders and invasive species. In particular, he studies receptors for GABA, glycine and glutamate, using bioinformatics, molecular/cellular biology, electrophysiology, genetics and molecular modelling to understand the genetic basis of disease. He is internationally known for his work on human startle disease and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as mouse models of glycine receptor dysfunction. His GlyR alpha2/alpha3 knockout mice have been utilised in >25 collaborative studies on alcohol susceptibility, cortical circuitry, learning/memory, hearing, pain pathways, rhythmic breathing and vision. Professor Harvey has an interest in environmentally-significant invasive species, including Varroa destructor mites and red imported fire ants. Professor Harvey's research has a strong translational aspect. He aims to convert basic science discoveries into real-world applications, such as improved genetic diagnostics, new pharmacotherapies and environmentally-friendly miticides and insecticides. Professor Harvey has published >195 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact papers in Cell, Cell Reports, Nature Cell Biology, Nature Communications, Nature Genetics, Nature Neuroscience, Nature Reviews in Drug Discovery, Neuron and Science. He has an H-index of 66 (>19,830 citations) and is the top-rated expert in the world on glycine receptors in ExpertScape (2014-2024). Professor Harvey has also received international awards from the German Pain Society (2004) and Sertürner Society (2009).
Current Funding:
ARC Discovery project DP250101477 (2025-2027) Unlocking the proteomics of synaptic glycine receptor complexes. Professor Robert Harvey, Dr Nela Durisic, Professor August Smit. $965,408.
ARC Discovery project DP250101662 (2025-2027) Precision receptor-specific miticides for safeguarding Australian bees. Professor Robert Harvey, A/Prof Kate Mounsey, Professor Robert Vandenberg, Professor Megan O'Mara, Dr Vincent Dietemann. $844,766.
Research Projects - HDR and Honours students
Unlocking the proteomics of synaptic glycine receptor complexes - with Dr Georgia Kafer (UniSC), Prof August Smit (CNCR, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and Prof Carmen Villmann (Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Germany). This project aims to investigate glycine receptors (GlyRs) that are vital for spinal motor output, pain processing and cortical neuronal migration. This project expects to generate new interdisciplinary knowledge by: i) Using GlyR subtype-specific antibodies and knockout mice in high-fidelity proteomics; ii) Examining the location and functional impacts of GlyR interactors using artificial synapses, electrophysiology, super-resolution microscopy and shRNA knockdown.
Precision receptor-specific miticides for safeguarding Australian honeybees - with A/Prof Kate Mounsey (UniSC), Prof Robert Vandenberg (University of Sydney), Prof Megan O'Mara (University of Queensland) and Dr Vincent Dietemann (Swiss Bee Research Center at Agroscope, Switzerland). This project aims to investigate neurotransmitter receptors in Varroa destructor mites, a significant threat to bees responsible for honey production and pollination of economically vital agricultural crops. The project expects to generate new knowledge and resources by: i) Functionally characterising Varroa neurotransmitter receptors, the key targets of miticides; and ii) Exploiting differences in Varroa and honeybee receptor structure and pharmacology to develop novel Varroa-specific miticides.
Precision receptor-specific insecticides for combatting red imported fire ants - with A/Prof Kate Mounsey (UniSC), Prof Robert Vandenberg (University of Sydney), and Dr Alicia Toon (National Fire Ant Eradication Program, Biosecurity Queensland). This project aims to investigate neurotransmitter receptors in the red imported fire ant (RIFA, Solenopsis invicta), one of the world’s most destructive invasive species. RIFA negatively affect the agricultural industry, infrastructure, the environment, and native biodiversity. They attack crops, swarm and kill native species and sting people, pets, and livestock, inflicting pain and inducing hypersensitivity reactions. The project expects to generate new knowledge and resources by: i) Functionally characterising RIFA neurotransmitter GABA and glutamate receptors, the key targets of known insecticides; ii) Designing and testing new chemical and next-generation gene knockdown control methods for RIFA control. Expected outcomes of this project include RIFA receptor screening platforms and novel biocides with low ecotoxicity.
Professor Robert Harvey's specialist areas of knowledge include neuroscience, genetics, synaptic receptors, ion channels and transporters and childhood neurological disorders. In particular, he is an expert in the role of inhibitory glycine and GABA-A receptor complexes in startle disease, neurodevelopmental disorders, and epilepsy. In addition, Professor Harvey has a keen interest in environmentally significant parasites such as Varroa mites and Red Imported Fire Ants. His primary research methods include bioinformatics, molecular and cellular biology, electrophysiology, genetics and molecular modelling. Professor Harvey's research has a strong translational aspect: he aims to convert basic science discoveries into real-world applications, such as improved genetic diagnostics, new pharmacotherapies and environmentally-friendly miticides and insecticides. Prof Harvey is the top-rated expert in the world on glycine receptors in ExpertScape (2014-2024).
In the news
Global study identifies hidden genetic cause of intellectual disability
5 DecA global research collaboration has revealed a hidden cause of a rare intellectual disorder associated with severe language delay, epileptic seizures, motor impairment and brain abnormalities.
From Varroa mites to brain receptors, key UniSC research projects receive ARC funding
29 NovAlmost $2.2 million in funding from the Australian Research Council has been awarded to UniSC to investigate new ways to kill Varroa mites without harming honeybees, develop pheromone traps for parasitic worms and gain novel insights into vital brain receptors.