2025 Committee Member Research
President
Thomas Nguyen
I’m currently a second-year PhD candidate at The University of Melbourne, based at The Florey Institute. My research focuses on uncovering the triggers of neuronal cell death in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which affects millions of individuals worldwide. Specifically, I study a form of cell death known as ferroptosis, which is driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation at the phospholipid membrane. My goal is to identify what makes brain cells vulnerable to ferroptosis under conditions relevant to disease. To achieve this, I use a powerful combination of techniques: single-nuclear RNA sequencing to unravel unique gene expression profiles of individual brain cell types in AD, along with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and high-resolution imaging to investigate how specific genes influence ferroptosis vulnerability in cell culture models. By understanding how neurodegeneration is driven in AD, I hope that our discovery will pave the way for new and effective therapeutic strategies aimed at slowing disease progression. It’s an exciting journey, and I’m hopeful that our work will help turn the tide in the fight against AD and bring us one step closer to a future without AD.
Vice President
Maz Hossain
I have recently completed my honours at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, based in the Ritchie Centre. My research aims to assess the impact of combined fetal growth restriction and birth asphyxia on the preterm newborn hippocampus. In particular, I study the CA1 region which has important roles in memory, cognition, and learning. Babies who have experienced complications around the time of birth are more prone to suffering neurological deficits at school age. I work with a pre-term lamb model which involves inducing fetal growth restriction in-utero and then subjecting the lambs to a deep asphyxia protocol at the time of birth. The focus of my research group at the Ritchie Centre is to understand how secondary birth complications affect the already vulnerable, growth restricted newborn.
Secretary
Mantavya Patel
I’m a dedicated neuroscience researcher with expertise in neuroendocrine immune interactions and cognitive development. I hold a B.Tech in Biotechnology from SRM University with significant research experience in neurological disorders and cognitive function.
I’ve published research on neuroendocrine immune interactions in aging, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis, serving as second author with Dr. Mantavya N. Patel. I’ve also contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications advancing understanding of these complex conditions.
I’ve been selected for the prestigious National Academy of Sciences Summer Research Fellowship at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a premier research institution under India's Defence Research and Development Organisation. I’ve developed a preclinical acute pain model and investigated radiation-induced cognitive deficiencies in mice as well as conducting pioneering work on enrichment-dependent cognitive development in rodent models.
I’m currently focused on theory of mind development in children and adolescents, examining how social factors influence false belief task performance. My research explores the complex relationships between social environments, mental health outcomes, and theory of mind development with a stage 1 registered report in progress.
Treasurer
Lauren Ursich
I am a second-year PhD student at the University of Melbourne, currently based at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. My research investigates sex differences in alcohol use disorder (AUD), examining whether neurobiological differences between males and females underlie the distinct patterns of alcohol use observed between the sexes. My work aims to uncover sex specific mechanisms that drive alcohol-related behaviours and vulnerabilities, with the goal of informing more tailored AUD treatments for women and people assigned female at birth. To achieve this, I take a multidisciplinary approach, combining murine behavioural models, bioinformatics, and ex vivo molecular biology to link behavioural phenotypes with underlying molecular changes.
Sponsorship Manager
Shivam Puri
I am a 1st PhD student at University of Melbourne, currently based in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. For my PhD, I will be investigating multiday rhythms in cortex and heart. Specifically, I study how our brain and heart are linked to each other by examining the correlation between changes in cortical excitability and cognitive task performance and heart rate rhythms. My work aims to identify the brain region responsible for mediating the relationship between heart and brain. To achieve this, I use behavioral experimentation (for studying cognition), smartwatch data(for heart data), EEG (cognition and neural correlates for rhythms), TMS (cortical excitability) and MRI (identifying responsible brain structures).
Event Manager
Alayna Caruso
I am a second year PhD student at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. My Research focuses on advancing therapeutic delivery to the brain and neurons to improve clinical outcomes for people living with Alzheimer’s disease dementia. In Alzheimer’s disease, the protein called tau becomes dysregulated and clumps together within neurons to cause cell death. Tau is an attractive target for therapy; however, it is hard to reach as most drugs cannot enter the brain or neurons. My project explores the use of brain-penetrating Adeno-associated viruses and intracellular antibodies for improved targeting of tau in disease.
Events Officer
Alicia Yong
I’m a second-year PhD student at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. My research is focused on developing mRNA-based vaccine strategies for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, my work focuses on how we can harness mRNA technology to target hallmark pathological proteins in neurodegeneration, with the broader goal of preventing or slowing disease progression. My work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, immunology, and translational medicine, and I am passionate about bridging the gap between research and real-world therapies.
Events Officer
Sadaf Teymornejad
I am a second-year PhD student at Monash University, based in the Department of Physiology at the Clayton campus. My research focuses on characterising inhibitory neurons in both healthy and aged non-human primates. Specifically, I study 5HT3aR interneurons, particularly those expressing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neurogliaform cells, to better understand their neurochemical profiles and electrophysiological properties. These interneurons are the most heterogeneous class of inhibitory neurons, yet they remain among the least explored, especially in primate models. My work aims to bridge the translational gap between rodent-based findings and primate neurobiology. To achieve this, I use the common marmoset as the animal model and apply techniques such as immunostaining, microscopy, and electrophysiology, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of cortical inhibitory circuits across species.
Media Manager
Mandy Lee
I am an undergraduate student studying a Bachelor of Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne with an interest in Pharmacology & Molecular Biology. I’m particularly curious about Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development. Through my studies, I’ve been learning about what goes on inside a cell that invariably leads to how a human body works, and how we could leverage knowledge of mechanisms in designing specific drugs to treat diseases, and I hope to explore this further in future research or clinical work. I’m passionate about contributing to a better understanding of Brain Cancer and improving outcomes for people affected by it.
Media Manager
Isabelle Riches
I'm a 1st year PhD student at The Florey Institute. My research focuses on the relaxin-3/Relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) system in the nervous system. This system is known to be involved in a range of behaviours such as appetite regulation, anxiety-like and addiction-like behaviour making it an interesting target for drug development. I aim to develop relaxin-3 analogues which can be delivered peripherally, enter the brain and act on RXFP3. To achieve this, I do peptide and small molecule synthesis, in vitro binding and activity assays, and do in vivo behaviour tests.
Undergraduate Representative Manager
Bridget Olivia Hart
I am an undergraduate student studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology at the University of Melbourne, with an interest in neuropsychology. I’m particularly curious about neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s Disease. Through my studies at the Florey Institute, I’ve been exploring the potential of extracellular vesicles as bio markers for Alzheimers. I’m passionate about contributing to a better understanding of Alzheimers and improving outcomes for people affected by it.
Undergraduate Representative Officer
Mima Hossain
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Developmental Biology and Anatomy, and minoring in Physiology at Monash University, with an interest in neuroscience. I'm particularly curious about the role of sleep in maintaining cognitive function and emotional regulation, and how the disruption of sleep may impact brain development and neurological health. Through my studies, I have been intrigued by the relationship between sleep cycles and the production of specific hormones, and I hope to explore this further in future research or clinical work. I'm passionate about contributing to a better understanding of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and improving outcomes for people affected by it.
Undergraduate Representative Officer
Thyagi Abeykoon
I am an undergraduate student studying a Bachelors of Science at Monash University, majoring in Developmental Anatomy and Biology and minoring in Psychology. I have always had a great interest in neuroscience and I’m particularly curious about how the brain develops during early life. Through my studies, I’ve been learning about critical periods in brain development, and I hope to explore this further in future research or clinical work. I’m passionate about contributing to a better understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and improving outcomes for people affected by it.