During this event audience members will get a look at the neuroimaging work Dr Nadia Borlase is currently conducting funded by the Neurological Foundation. She is completing MRI brain scans on 60 people who lived through the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 in Canterbury who do not have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other diagnosed psychological issues. The purpose of this research study is to understand the long-term neurological impact of stressful events, such as the Christchurch earthquakes. This research is particularly focused on people that are considered “resilient” and who do not have PTSD, as Nadia expects brain changes may be associated with experiencing the stressful events.

Dr Nadia Borlase is working in research psychology, specialising in neuroimaging research. She has an interest in using neuroimaging to identify neurological vulnerability, particularly in relation to trauma or developmental disorders. Dr Borlase is currently looking at the relationship between the brain and the Canterbury Earthquakes, funded by the Neurological Foundation at the New Zealand Brain Research Institute in Christchurch.