ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr Day is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington. He completed his PhD in biochemistry and microbiology at Southampton University, UK, then moved to Auckland University to undertake postdoctoral research in molecular biology and molecular diagnostics. He then took a position at Cornell University Medical College, New York, where he researched human molecular genetics before obtaining a tenured position at Victoria University, Wellington. His scientific expertise and interest are varied encompassing molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology and neuroscience.
Over the last 8 years his interest in neuroscience and the biology of the neurotransmitter serotonin, have coalesced with his interests in microbiology, such that his current primary research focus is on how maternal infection during pregnancy interacts with serotonin signalling to alter brain function. In particularly his laboratory is investigating how maternal immune activation (MIA) leads to an increased risk of the offspring developing neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the role that the serotonin system plays in this. Dr Day will be discussing his research at this Brain Matters Event.
EVENT DETAILS
This event will be held in the James Coe Centre at the Dowse Art Museum.
The doors for registration and seating will open at 6.00 pm. There will be a mix and mingle period after the event with the speaker where refreshments and food will be served.
There is pay and display parking for easy accessibility, and a regular bus service from downtown Wellington stops nearby. There is disabled access to all public spaces.