Leann Tilley was born in Edenhope, Victoria, and attended Marian College in Ararat.

[6] Tilley's research focuses on the use of molecular approaches and imaging techniques to study the malaria parasite and its interactions with its host in an effort to develop novel therapies.

Her scientific contributions have been in four main areas: 1) Establishing Imaging Facilities and Technologies.

For example, Tilley has pioneered the application of methods such as Super-Resolution Optical Microscopy to studies of the malaria parasite.

For example, Tilley investigates the molecular basis of the resistance that is currently emerging to the antimalarial drug, artemisinin,[7][8] with a view to extending the use of a drug that saves millions of lives, 3) Studying the unusual trafficking path that brings P. falciparum virulence proteins to the host red blood cell surface,[9][10] and 4) Determining the molecular basis of the amazing shape-changing properties of the sexual stage gametocyte.