Madeline Meli is currently a PhD Candidate at Swinburne University of Technology in the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology studying under Dr. Brett Cromer and Dr. Huseyin Sumer. Madeline is primarily concerned with improving the applicability and accessibility of in vitro cell culture-based neuronal research, allowing for more convenient and cost-effective neuronal models. Madeline’s research stems from her ambition to allow for neuronal research to be undertaken by individuals who are at relatively early stages of their research careers, or those with limited experience performing neuronal differentiation in vitro. Madeline will cover the potential for immortalised neuronal progenitor cell lines to be used as convenient neuronal models using transcription factor-based reprogramming and optimised culture methodologies.