Congratulations to program member Dr Sharon Savage for recently being awarded a Dementia Australia Research Foundation Translation Grant in Dementia Care. For the full story head to our LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/hmri-brain-health-research-program

Introducing | Christian Behler Our featured member of the month is a Physicist & PhD Student. To learn more about Christian, head to our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/in/hmri-brain-health-research-program

The 2026 SOBP Annual Meeting was held April 30th – May 2nd, in New York City, New York. Program member Dr Lizzie Manning received a travel award from SOBP to attend the meeting. For the full story head to our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/in/hmri-brain-health-research-program

Research Update - Renee Bevege

Today we remember the courage, service, & sacrifice of Australian & New Zealand Defence personnel — past and present. As a brain health research community, we reflect on the importance of supporting lifelong health, recovery, & wellbeing, and honour the enduring legacy of service. Lest we forget.

Introducing | Dr Dawn Simpson Our featured member of the month is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Newcastle. To learn more about Dawn, head to our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/in/hmri-brain-health-research-program

On Friday 27 March, day #2 of the Honours Project Proposal Presentations at Haggarty Space @hmriaustralia program student member Gabrielle Martin presented her project "Analysis of the Extent and Function of the Intrinsic Spinal Cord Projection Neuron Collateral System."

This morning, program student members Sarah Keil, Talara Bosworth, Brendan Ashbourne and Carina Dempster delivered their Honours Project Proposal Presentations at Haggarty Space, HMRI. Attendees came along to support these wonderful early career researchers.

Research Update - Dr Richa Phogat

From 16–22 March, we’re celebrating Brain Awareness Week—a global event dedicated to highlighting the incredible science of the brain and the importance of brain health. Dr Madeleine Hinwood Senior Epidemiologist & Biostatistician, HMRI Conjoint Lecturer, School of Medicine & Public Health, UoN.

From 16–22 March, we’re celebrating Brain Awareness Week—a global event dedicated to highlighting the incredible science of the brain and the importance of brain health. Dr Daniel Beard Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle Group Leader, Neurovascular Research Laboratory #BrainAwarenessWeek

From 16–22 March, we’re celebrating Brain Awareness Week—a global event dedicated to highlighting the incredible science of the brain and the importance of brain health. Professor Frini Karayanidis Professor in the School of Science, University of Newcastle. #BrainWeek

From 16–22 March, we’re celebrating Brain Awareness Week—a global event dedicated to highlighting the incredible science of the brain and the importance of brain health. Dr Sharon Savage Registered Clinical Neuropsychologist & Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychological Sciences at the UoN.

Ahead of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, program student member Katrina Fordham introduced us to Marissa Sewter, a Bachelor of Science (Biology) student at the University of Newcastle. We’re grateful to share Marissa’s insights as part of our recognition of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Introducing | Professor Coralie English Our featured member of the month is Associate Dean Research and Innovation (CHMW, University of Newcastle) and Co-Director of the HMRI Brain Health Research Program. To learn more about Coralie, head to our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/in/hmri-brai...

#WorldEngineeringDay March 4, aims to raise awareness of the role of engineering in modern life & to highlight the contribution of #engineers in shaping a better, more sustainable world. Dr Changyan He's research is centred on the area of medical robotics. www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/chan...

Research Update - Dr Changyan He

Program member Dr Anna Behler will be presenting at the Noosa Workshop on Brain Functional Organization, Connectivity, & Behavior on Wednesday 25th February. Dr Behler is giving a flash talk on "Metastable coupling between cerebrospinal fluid flow and global brain activity in older adults".

Research Update - Associate Professor Doug Smith

Save the Date! Brain Awareness Week is March 16-22. Join us to celebrate the wonders of the brain and support global brain health awareness. For information on #BrainWeek, visit dana.org/brain-awareness-week. @brainawarenessweek. 🧠 🎉

Introducing | Felicity Simpson Our featured member of the month is a Research Associate with the Systems Neuroscience Group. To learn more about Felicity, head to our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/in/hmri-brain-health-research-program

11 February, International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The HMRI Brain Health Research Program is proud to showcase and celebrate some of our incredible existing and new program members—highlighting the amazing women in STEM across our program.

Research Update - Dr Lizzie Manning

Student member, Aidan Price recently attended the Basal Ganglia Gordon Research Conference.. His talk was "Functional Dissection of a Novel Pathway Through Which Stress Impacts the Basal Ganglia: Hypothalamic Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone Neuron Projections to the Globus Pallidus Externa"

During Tinnitus Awareness Week, we recognise the impact tinnitus can have on wellbeing, productivity, and quality of life. Creating supportive environments—through flexibility, understanding, and access to resources—helps people living with tinnitus feel seen and supported. #TinnitusAwarenessWeek

Research Update!

The Brain Neuromodulation Research Program team would like to wish everyone a happy and safe festive season! We look forward to all that 2026 will bring!

Building on last year’s success, program members Prof Michael Breakspear & Prof Zhiyong Chen have once again earned a place in the 2025 Stanford University/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists list. For the full story head to www.linkedin.com/in/hmri-brain-neuromodulation-research-program

At the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month we pause to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who fought for our freedom. #LestWeForget #RemembranceDay

A big thank you to those who came to participate in our first OCD Awareness Walk, to our volunteers for giving their time and to the organisers who brought together this important event in record time! Read more here: www.linkedin.com/posts/hmri-b...

It's OCD Awareness Week! #OCDweek is a worldwide event that serves to dispel myths about obsessive compulsive disorder, break the stigma around mental illness, and provide education about the disorder and how to support those affected. #TogetherAgainstOCD #OCDWeek

Program members Dr Caroline Faucher & Dr Katharina Wellstein presented recently at @hmriaustralia.bsky.social as part of the HMRI Research Seminar Series. www.linkedin.com/posts/hmri-b... Thank you to our researchers for their fascinating presentations!

We are thrilled to announce that Program member Dr Lizzie Manning @drlizziemanning.bsky.social has been awarded a 2025 BBRF Young Investigator Grant. Read more here: www.linkedin.com/posts/hmri-b...

The 2025 Kioloa Neuroscience Colloquium - researchers from a range of scientific disciplines came together to explore recent developments in neuroscience through plenary lectures, short talks, and a poster session. Read more here: www.linkedin.com/posts/hmri-b...

Spinning around until you're dizzy? Fun. Spinning without control because of a vestibular disorder? Not so fun. @vestibularveda @hmriaustralia #BalanceAwarenessWeek #BAW2025 #vestibular #vestibulardisorder #BalanceAwareness

Why is the Vestibular System so important? #BalanceAwarenessWeek #BAW2025 #vestibular #vestibulardisorder #BalanceAwareness

Program member Renee Bevege has been awarded funding through the SBSP EMCR Strategic Support Initiative to support her travel to New York 5–19 August. Renee will attend a Proteomics training course at the prestigious Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Read more here www.linkedin.com/in/hmri-brai...

Program member Dr Renate Thienel graduated with Master of Professional Psychology (Clinical Foundations) and Master of Clinical Psychology with Distinction last Wednesday, 16th July, as part of the 60 year University of Newcastle anniversary graduation ceremony. www.linkedin.com/posts/hmri-b...

⭐ July NEUROMORSEL! ⭐ #SCS #neuromorsel #science #brainbites @hmriaustralia.bsky.social

July 22 | World Brain Day Coming together to highlight the importance of brain health & its impact on individuals, families & communities worldwide. We asked some of our program members what their #1 tip is for a healthy brain? #WBD2025 #BrainHealthForAllAges Learn more: lnkd.in/gWJNuRTx

Program member Professor Belinda Liddell has been awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) grant under the Future Fellowships 2025 scheme (FT25) for her project "Understanding how forced separation disrupts wellbeing." Congratulations, Belinda, on this wonderful achievement! lnkd.in/en4m9MkK

Leo Chen kicking off @newybrains.bsky.social Annual Symposium with this thoughtful notion

Last work day in Newy with my amazing team and my boy before my long trip to Europe and another conference day with @newybrains.bsky.social.

⭐ June NEUROMORSEL! ⭐ #VNS #neuromorsel #science #brainbites @uni_newcastle @hmriaustralia

Introducing | Mr Michael Waring Our featured member of the month is a Psychology Honours Student and Behaviour Support Practitioner To learn more about Michael, head to our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/in/hmri-brai...

26 May 2025 marks the 28th anniversary of the tabling of the Bringing them home report in the Australian Parliament in 1997 & commemorates Stolen Generations survivors.  The theme for this year’s National Sorry Day is We cannot wait another generation. Learn more at healingfoundation.org.au

Excited to be selected to join the @hmriaustralia.bsky.social Newcastle Permanent Innovation Accelerator! I’m developing a new tool for hearing assessment alongside an amazing cohort of researchers. Thanks to Newcastle Permanent for backing real-world health innovation. hmri.org.au/news-and-sto...

And stay tuned! We're very excited to soon share more on our pilot study on Dog-assisted interventions before an MRI to reduce scanxiety and reduce movement artefacts. Thanks to @newybrains.bsky.social and the @hmriaustralia.bsky.social Imaging Centre for supporting our work in this area!