Degree/Level: PhD, 3rd year

University: University of Melbourne

Area of research: Neurodevelopment / Neuropsychology

Research focus: Examining autonomic nervous system function in adolescent myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? I’m excited to help promote the exceptional work being carried out by student brain researchers around Australia, to contribute to the growth of SOBR as we expand interstate, to help communicate and organise professional development opportunities amongst our network and foster engagement and relationships within our community.

Twitter: @_HollieByrne

Degree/Level: PhD, 1st year

University: Monash University

Area of research: Computational neuroscience

Research focus: Using generative models of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to investigate neurodynamics under psilocybin.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? Engaging with a community of researchers and contributing to the success of some great—and, hopefully in-person—events!

Degree/Level: Masters, 2nd Year

University: University of Melbourne

Area of research: Neuroscience

Research focus: A non-invasive stimulation treatment to ameliorate depressive and anxious-type symptoms caused by early life stress/trauma

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? Helping us finally get a SOBR dinner event for everyone who has missed out in recent years! I’m also keen to embrace the connections and wealth of knowledge within the SOBR community and committee

Degree/Level: PhD, 2nd year

University: Monash University

Area of research: Neurodevelopment and stem cell

Research focus: Using MRI-guided-focused-ultrasound (MRIgFUS) as a novel non-invasive method for neural stem cell delivery to the neonatal brain.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? I’m most excited about a return to in-person events to meet a wider network of neuroscientists and their research, especially as SOBR expands interstate!

Instagram: @the4phds, @aryajithoo

Twitter: @the4phds

Degree/Level: PhD (Clinical Neuropsychology), 1st year

University: Monash University

Area of research: Neurodegeneration

Research focus: Using mechanistic modeling of fMRI data to investigate preclinical Huntington’s Disease

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? I’m excited to connect with other early career researchers who are passionate about brain research, learn about the wide-ranging research and backgrounds that tie us together as a community, and (hopefully) spend time together in person!

Degree/Level: PhD, 1st Year

University: Monash University

Area of research: Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience

Research focus: A role for the medial pulvinar in the development of visual attention?

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? The social aspect of being a postgrad student which was robbed by COVID for 2 years!

Degree/Level: PhD, 3rd year

University: The University of Melbourne | Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre

Area of research: Neurodevelopment

Research focus: Sleep, psychopathology and adolescent brain development

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? Being a part of a cross-disciplinary and cross-university team and meeting others that are also super interested in neuroscience.

Twitter: @beccooper_

Degree/Level: PhD, 2nd year

University: Monash University/Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

Area of research: Neurodegeneration

Research focus: The neurodegenerative effects of mitochondrial complex I deficiency.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? To meet new people who are undertaking brain research and help SOBR events to become more accessible to students with parent/carer roles.

Instagram: @elementsofplay @elementsofplayau

Degree/Level: PhD, 3rd year

University: Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University

Area of research: Neuropsychology - Ageing and Neurodegeneration

Research focus: Modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease dementia

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? I’m excited about contributing to bringing together brain research students for some excellent and enriching events as well as getting to know and work with the other committee members.

Instagram: @lbransby

Twitter: @LisaSBransby

Degree/Level: PhD, 2nd year

University: Monash University

Area of research: Neuroscience/Neuropsychology

Research focus: Neuropsychological markers of frontotemporal dementia and progressive supranuclear palsy and the role of tau protein

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? Learning more about Australian-based brain research by being actively engaged in the committee and by connecting with a passionate group of peers

Instagram: @diroxane

Twitter: @dilcher_r

Degree/Level: PhD, 2nd year

University: Monash University / Turner Institute for Brain and Mental

Area of research: Neuroethics

Research focus: The responsible development and dissemination of invasive neurotechnologies.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? Excited to build new connections, exchange ideas, and organising an in-person (fingers crossed!) annual meal.

Degree/Level: PhD, 2nd year

University: Monash University / Hudson Institute of Medical Research

Area of research: Neurodevelopment

Research focus: Examining the effect of fetal growth restriction neuronal development and subsequent function and investigating potential neuroprotective therapies.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? I wanted to expand my network in brain research and learn more about the exciting work everyone is doing!

Instagram: @teganwhite @the4phds

Twitter: @teganwhite_

Degree/Level: PhD, 2nd year

University: The University of Sydney / Brain and Mind Centre

Area of research: Neuromodulatory systems and neurodegeneration

Research focus: Neuromodulation of non-motor functions in Parkinson’s disease

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? I am excited to help expand the reach of the SOBR network to include students across Australia and am very keen to learn about some really cool research as I meet fellow research students.

Instagram: @bella_orlando

Twitter: @bella__orlando

Degree/Level: PhD, 1st year

University: Flinders University

Area of research: Motor skill acquisition

Research focus: An investigation into the neurocognitive correlates of motor memory consolidation using post-training mindfulness meditation and exercise modalities.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2022 SOBR committee? I am looking forward to connecting with other brain researchers and expanding the SOBR network to facilitate connection and engagement across Australia.

Instagram: @jamesobrown96

Twitter: @JamesOwenBrown1