Degree/Level: Masters, 2nd Year

Institute: The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Area of research: Microbiota-gut-brain axis, schizophrenia, behavioural neuroscience.

Research Focus: Modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis via exercise to recover brain and gastrointestinal abnormalities in an animal model of schizophrenia.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

Meeting other neuroscience students from all over Australia at our own symposium later this year. I’m also excited to meet international students at the Global Neuroscience Student Symposium for which we will be collaborating with the Hong Kong Student Association of Neuroscience and other institutes from around the world!

Degree/Level: PhD, 3rd Year

Institute: Hudson Institute of Medical Research/Monash University

Area of research: Genetic, epigenetic, and molecular neuro-oncology

Research Focus: Targeting the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular dysregulation that occurs in a rare but terminal paediatric brain cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I am excited to meet, connect and network with like-minded neuroscientists from all around Australia and internationally. As well, as learn about all the incredible work they are doing in the space of brain research. Mostly, I am excited to help facilitate these environments for other neuro-science students to learn, grow, connect, and network.

Degree/Level: PhD, 3rd Year

Institute: The University of Melbourne / Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Area of research: Neurogenetics, Neurodegeneration, and Stem Cell Biology

Research Focus: Understanding the molecular basis of the repeat expansion disorder cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) using a combination of different genomic sequencing technologies and patient-derived stem cell models.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I am really excited to connect with others who share my passion for brain research and to learn more about the wide variety of brain research being carried out by students across Australia. I’m also keen to contribute to the success of some amazing SOBR events!

Twitter: @kayli_davies121

Degree/Level: PhD, 3rd Year

Institute: Central Clinical School, Monash University

Area of Research: Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s Disease, Translational Neuroscience, Neuromodulation

Research Focus: To develop disease modifying approaches to neurological disease. Specifically, non-invasive mechanisms to restore brain function to be therapeutic for Alzheimer’s Disease and epilepsy.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I’m really looking forward to advocating for brain research students in this role, by providing support and opportunities that enhance the career and social aspects of students' degrees.

Twitter: @JenniferTinston

Degree/Level: PhD, 2nd Year

Institute: Monash University

Area of research: Anorexia and Feeding Disorder

Research Focus: Effects of Psilocybin on Brain Function and Behaviour in Activity-Based Anorexia (ABA) Mouse Model

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I'm eager to connect with like-minded people in the neuroscience community and to create a welcoming environment where everyone, especially women in this field, can flourish and showcase their capacities.

Instagram: @sheidita

Twitter: @Sheida_Shadani

Degree: PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology, 2nd Year

Institute: Monash University

Area of research: Neuropsychology

Research Focus: I am interested in understanding whether current cognitive measures created for clinical trials in Huntington’s disease capture symptoms which are meaningful and impactful for the everyday lives of those affected by the condition.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I’m most excited to work alongside and connect with other students who are passionate about brain research.

Degree/Level: PhD, 2nd Year

Institute: Monash University

Area of research: Exercise Neurophysiology, Neurodegeneration

Research Focus: Investigating the acute and chronic effects of strength training on neuromuscular adaptation in older adults.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

SOBR is a great platform to engage and connect with other students across Australia passionate about brain research. I am excited to be a part of this committee, help organize events, exchange ideas, work in a group and make new connections. I look forward to contributing to the growth of this community.

Instagram: usiddique_25

Twitter: @SiddiqueUmmatul

Course/Level: PhD, 2nd Year

Institute: Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne

Area of research: Cellular and computational neuroscience

Research Focus: Using network modelling to quantify typical and atypical neuron cell organisation in vitro.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

Having benefitted so much from graduate events as an attendee, I’m excited about the idea of giving back to the academic community and helping keep these types of fun opportunities part of the PhD experience

Degree/Level: PhD, 1st Year

Institute: The University of Melbourne / Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Area of research: Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Biomarker

Research Focus: Developing and optimising a novel test (the seed amplification assay) for highly sensitive detection of alpha-synuclein.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I am excited to connect with and bring together peers who are passionate about brain research and learn about the exciting new research that other brain research students are working on!

Degree/Level: PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology, 2nd Year

Institute: Monash University

Area of research: Neuropsychology, Neurodevelopment

Research Focus: I am interested in understanding the role of the cerebellum in social communication and oculomotor control across the paediatric Autism-Attention/Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder spectra.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I’m most excited to connect with like-minded students and professionals, and contribute to fostering a community of brain researchers.

Twitter: @ElanaJForbes

LinkedIn: Elana Forbes

Degree/Level: PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology, 2nd Year

Institute: Monash University

Area of research: Neuropsychology, Ageing and Neurodegeneration

Research Focus: My research is investigating the effect of BDNF Val66Met, a genetic polymorphism, on rates of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) progression. Specifically, I’m interested in whether BDNF Val66Met moderates changes in known AD biomarkers across the preclinical and prodromal stages of the disease. Alongside my research, I am also training as a Clinical Neuropsychologist!

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I really look forward to connecting with fellow students from all walks of neuroscience and I am particularly excited for the networking dinner!

Twitter: @DinyThomson

LinkedIn: Diny Thomsom

Degree/Level: PhD, 2nd Year

Institute: Monash University

Area of research: Computational/Network Neuroscience

Research Focus: My research focuses on the utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to map brain organisation, and find relationships between brain structure and function.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I'm excited to spread news and developments with the readership of SOBR - within neuroscience, and also science more broadly!

Twitter: @m_gajwani

GitHub: /magnesium2400

Degree/Level: 3rd year undergraduate student

Institute: University of New South Wales

Area of research: Psychology; behavioural neuroscience

Research Focus: learning and motivation

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I am excited to meet and communicate with students of the wider brain science community. As an undergraduate student with goals in academic research, I am eager to learn about both practical and theoretical skills that could help me prepare.

Degree/Level: PhD, 3rd Year

Institute: The University of Queensland

Area of research: Cognitive Neuropsychology

Research Focus: Using electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate neural correlates of emotional face, facial familiarity, and fear-relevant stimuli processing.

What are you most excited about being a part of the 2023 SOBR committee?

I am really excited to build relationships with other students who are also passionate about brain research, and to help people connect and engage.

Instagram: @elliemoses

Twitter: @_EleanorMoses