What we do We’re excited to be awarding not three but FOUR summer studentships this year. The standard was so high, we couldn’t separate the third & fourth-placed applicants. Each studentship is worth $8,500. Research areas include Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), spinal cord injury, neurodevelopmental disorders and prenatal exposure to viral infections causing neuropsychiatric conditions in children.
The summer students for 2024 are:
Stanley Cardon, supervised by Dr Helen Murray, University of Auckland
“Astrocyte reactivity in cases of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy with comorbid pathology”
Stanley’s project is looking at brain inflammation in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head trauma. He is looking for markers of inflammation that are unique to CTE, even when other neurological disease is present. This project will contribute to improved tools for CTE diagnosis while people are still alive, and enhance our understanding of how repeated head trauma can lead to neurodegeneration.
Stanley is a Biomedical Science Honours student at the University of Auckland, with personal experience playing representative-level cricket and rugby. He is supervised by Dr Helen Murray, who leads the brain injury and dementia research group at the Centre for Brain Research.
Daniel Lavin, supervised by Dr Simon O'Carroll, University of Auckland
“Evaluating BACH2 protein expression in immune and glial cells following spinal cord injury”
Daniel’s project is looking at how a gene called Bach2 is involved in inflammation after spinal cord injury. After injury, Bach2 levels have been found to increase, potentially affecting inflammation and immune responses. This research, using an animal model, could lead to new treatments that protect nerves and limit damage after spinal cord injuries.
Daniel is currently a medical student at the University of Auckland, who also has a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Otago. He is supervised by Dr Simon O’Carroll, Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Research Facility at the Centre for Brain Research.
Jordan Doran, supervised by Associate Professor Louise Bicknell, University of Otago
“Exploring potential loss-of-function genetic variants in CRNKL1”
Jordan’s project is looking at how mutations in the CRNKL1 gene can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). If he can confirm an association between this gene and NDD, families affected by this genetic mutation can receive an earlier diagnosis and have greater understanding of how to manage their NDD. The gene may also be linked with other complex disorders such as autism, epilepsy, and ataxia.
Jordan is a Bachelor of Science student at the University of Otago, who has a personal interest in neurodevelopmental disorders. He is supervised by Associate Professor Louise Bicknell, who is the co-director of Genetics Otago.
Amy Pollard, supervised by Professor Ping Liu, University of Otago
“Effects of postnatal agmatine treatment on maternal immune activation offspring”
Amy’s project will use an animal model to investigate whether a treatment called agmatine can reduce hyperactivity and brain inflammation after prenatal exposure to viral infections. Maternal viral infections increase the risk of neuropsychiatric conditions in children, such as schizophrenia and autism. This research could lead to the development of treatments for babies exposed to viral infections in the womb.
Amy is in her final year of a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Neuroscience, and is planning to continue with this project next year for her Honours. She is supervised by Professor Ping Liu from the University of Otago.
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