Caroline is world-renowned for discovering stem/progenitor cells in human endometrium, the highly regenerative lining of the uterus, thereby establishing a new field of research in reproductive biology. Prof Gargett formed the Endometrial Stem Cell Biology Group in 2004 following the award of the top scoring NHMRC New Investigator grant to study endometrial stem cell biology. Having since determined the identity of the endometrial epithelial progenitor cell (bases of branching glands) and mesenchymal stem cells (around blood vessels) through discovery of novel surface markers for each cell type, Prof Gargett is now applying these breakthroughs to common gynaecological disorders. The group currently comprises 5 postdoctoral scientists, 3 support staff and 6 students.

Prof Gargett leads a multidisciplinary project on endometriosis in collaboration with Prof Grant Montgomery at University of Queensland and gynaecologist Professor Luk Rombauts, funded by the US Department of Defense. This project aims to determine the role of endometriosis risk genes in endometrial epithelial stem/progenitor cell function using integrated single cells RNAseq and ATACseq, endometrial epithelial organoid and patient-derived xenograft technologies.

Prof Gargett leads an interdisciplinary project in collaboration with Monash Health urogynaecologist Associate Professor Anna Rosamilia  developing a cell-based therapy using endometrial mesenchymal stem cells and degradable nanobiomaterials in collaboration with Dr Shayanti Mukherjee and Professor Jerome Werkmeister (formerly CSIRO) in her team to treat and prevent POP, a common disorder affecting 1 in 4 women. With her team Prof Gargett has developed several sheep models of POP and vaginal birth injury to evaluate these new tissue engineering constructs and works toward translating the team’s findings into the clinic.

With a strong record of research excellence and discovery, Professor Gargett has secured funding from the US Department of Defense (AUD3M, 2019-2022) and NHMRC funding since 2004, including 7 CIA grants, an RD Wright CDA (2007-11), Senior Research (2013-18) and Investigator (2020-2024) Fellowships. Prof Gargett  also secured SIEF funding for a prestigious John Stocker Postdoctoral Fellowship (for Dr Shayanti Mukherjee), and funding from the CASS Foundation, MIME, Australian Stem Cell Centre, Cancer Council Victoria, Therapeutic Innovations Australia, RANZCOG, Monash IVF Research Foundation and other philanthropic sources.

Prof Gargett is recipient of numerous national and international awards including the Society for Gynecological Investigation President’s Achievement Award (2013), the Endometriosis Foundation of America (2011), European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology Established Scientist Award (2005), and the Society for Reproductive Biology’s RCRH Award for research excellence (2011). Professor Gargett’s research featured in the NHMRC’s 10 of the Best Research Projects in 2008 and 10 years later in 3 video clips on the NHMRC front webpage. Prof Gargett has received widespread publicity in Australia and internationally and is frequently invited to give presentations at international conferences.

Professor Gargett is a Director of the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia (since 2015) and Stem Cells Ltd (since 2019), a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Centre for Commercialisation of Regenerative Medicine Australia node (since 2018) and a member of the Scientific Committee of the Fondation Pour La Recherche sur L’Endometriose, France. Editorial board positions held are for Scientific Reports, Biology of Reproduction, Reproductive Sciences (2009-2019) and Fertility and Sterility (2011-14). Associate Editor roles have been for Reproductive Sciences (2015-2020) and Human Reproduction (2005-8). Prof Gargett was President of the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research (2013-2014) and led the successful bid hosting the International Society for Stem Cell Research Annual meeting in Melbourne in 2018. Prof Gargett has served as Secretary for the Society for Reproductive Biology (2005-7) and is currently on the International Urogynecology Association Basic Science SIG Steering Committee.