Exploring blood–brain interactions, stroke pathophysiology and vascular contributions to brain health.

Researchers: Neil Spratt, Daniel Beard, Kirsten Coupland

Key activities

• Developing new approaches to monitor and manage intracranial pressure and blood flow after stroke
• Advancing brain-targeted therapies and non-invasive monitoring tools
• Identifying molecular drivers of stroke outcomes using proteomics and machine learning
• Translating shear-activated nanoparticle therapies to enhance collateral perfusion
• Leading implementation research in telestroke, stroke prevention clinics, and rural stroke care models.

Decoding how the nervous system processes sensory information and maintains homeostasis.

Researchers: Brett Graham, Alan Brichta, Rebecca Lim, Phil Jobling, Melissa Tadros

Key activities

• Mapping the neural circuits that underlie sensation, movement and balance
• Investigating how the brain and spinal cord adapt to injury, inflammation and environmental exposures
• Exploring the development and plasticity of sensory systems across the lifespan
• Studying how immune signals and inflammation influence sensory processing and pain
• Using advanced models and technologies – including organoids, optogenetics, and in vivo imaging – to understand neural function
• Linking sensory dysfunction to chronic pain, respiratory disorders and sleep–wake regulation
• Translating discoveries into new approaches for treating sensory and neurological disorders.

Exploring immune–brain interactions, tumour–vasculature signalling, and molecular mechanisms of age-related neurological decline.

Researchers: Doug Smith, Melissa Tadros, Paul Tooney

Key activities

• Investigating how aging, inflammation and disrupted lipid and protein balance contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s
• Studying the impact of neuroinflammation and brainstem circuits on respiratory health, sleep and autonomic function
• Understanding tumour–vasculature interactions and treatment resistance in brain cancer, including molecular drivers of glioblastoma progression
• Identifying new therapeutic targets and biomarkers through advanced molecular, cellular and systems neuroscience approaches.

Linking brain circuits, stress and molecular signatures to mental health outcomes.

Researchers: Chris Dayas, Erin Campbell, Lizzie Manning, Lauren Harms, Murray Cairns, Dylan Kiltschewskij

Key activities

• Mapping brain circuits involved in stress, motivation and reward
• Developing and testing models of depression, anxiety, addiction and trauma
• Investigating neuroendocrine and immune factors in mental health
• Exploring new interventions for recovery and resilience
• Profiling genetic and molecular risk factors for psychiatric disorders
• Developing tools for patient stratification and personalised treatment
• Discovering biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment response
• Translating research into precision medicine approaches for mental health.

Specialising in next-generation training systems and workforce modernisation for Defence, Health and Education.

Researcher: Rohan Walker

Key activities

• Designing and evaluating digital and simulation-based training platforms
• Modernising training protocols for high-risk and high-performance environments
• Integrating neuroscience and behavioural science into workforce development
• Collaborating with industry and government to deliver scalable, evidence-based training solutions.

• Michelle Barnett
• Gabriella Blissett
• Emily Cross
• Merce Fuentes Amell
• Tess Geraghty
• Mehedi Hasan
• Md Mamun-Or-Rashid (Mamun)
• Sophie Maric
• Ryka Marina
• Brittany McCarthy
• Madison Pounder
• Aidan Price
• Thomas Scott
• Laura Stanton
• Fern Williams