Current Funding

Dr Dennis Chan is a physician who is undertaking research to improve the management of neuroendocrine tumours. He completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery alongside a Master of Bioethics and Health Law at the University of Otago, New Zealand, in 2012. Since then, he has undertaken specialist training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians as a Specialist Endocrinologist and General Physician.

In 2019, he completed a Master of Science at Barts and the London School of Medicine focusing on Cushing’s Syndrome caused by neuroendocrine tumours. This has led him to pursue a PhD in translational research at the University of Sydney focusing on neuroendocrine tumours and their management.

I have always been passionate about making a difference in the lives of people living with chronic disease, and I feel the best way of doing so is through research. Over the past 5 years, I have pursued a career in scientific research, developing my knowledge and skills as a scientist and researcher.

Growing up in regional Victoria, the opportunities to explore science is limited. The first science program I was involved in was the Rotary’s National Youth Science Forum. In my last year of high school, I was accepted to take part in the National Youth Science Forum, participating in the Brisbane session at the University of Queensland.

I am a trained teacher and mum of 2 young boys and taught in the independent school system for a number of years.

I joined the University of Melbourne as a research assistant in 2018 to work on a NHMRC funded randomized controlled trial and evaluation of teen Mental Health First Aid in ten schools around Victoria. I also volunteer in community development in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in Geelong. I have a research interest in mental health literacy, student well-being, community education and effective use of mental health promotion and intervention in schools.

Rebecca completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Genetics and Neuroscience) from the University of Western Australia in 2020. With a keen interest in both disciplines, she pursued an Honours project using RNA-sequencing to characterise changes in the cells of the brain following a burn injury, forming a collaboration between the Brain Plasticity lab (Perron Institute) and the Fiona Wood Foundation.

With experience in bioinformatics and a fascination to study the brain, this PhD was formed where Rebecca hopes to use transcriptomics to better understand how non-invasive brain stimulation can be optimised as a tool to promote healthy brain ageing.

Michelle Gossner is currently a PhD student at Central Queensland University under the supervision of Dr Cassandra Dittman and Dr Lisa Lole. She began her career as a primary school teacher working across various educational contexts in Australia and the United Kingdom. Michelle recently completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and received a First-Class classification. Prior to commencing her PhD, Michelle undertook an undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship and interned on various research projects.

She has a strong interest in child and adolescent development, particularly the influence of family context, parenting practices and parental mental health. Michelle is passionate about conducting research that can impact the community in a meaningful way.

I am someone who likes to enjoy life, and one of the best enjoyment for me is being in the lab running experiments. I am particularly interested in the bacteria in the gut due to my research in university. The gut bacteria, also known as the gut microbiota, makes up such a big part of us humans, yet we still know very little about it.

We do know there are complex interactions between the gut microbiota and ourselves. For me, I would like to be at the forefront of the research and help translate health benefits for humans.

I was raised on a farm near the town of Albury on the Murry River. I completed high school at The Scots School Albury before moving to Melbourne to commence my tertiary studies. I commenced the Bachelor of Science at The University of Melbourne in 2014 and had the privilege of residing at Trinity College. I then continued further studies within the university and graduated from the Doctor of Physiotherapy in 2019.

During my career as a physiotherapist, I have worked across the full spectrum of the patient journey. I have held a variety of clinical positions including working at Albury Wodonga Health and further regionally at Echuca Regional Health, as well as private physiotherapy roles in metropolitan Melbourne. I continue to engage in clinical work at Epworth Healthcare.

After completing her 4^th year Psychology thesis in 2006 on the effect of resilience and hope on adolescent academic engagement, Mandy Gibson worked with the Department of Communities Qld, and Child and Youth Mental Health Services (Qld Health). Mandy has over a decade of clinical experience as a Psychologist providing suicide risk assessments to young people following near lethal attempts and treatment to young people experiencing suicidality, complex trauma, self-harm and other mental health issues.

I have been studying and working in disciplines, pathology, biotechnology and scientific research for 10 years. I find these areas interesting because of their broad range of techniques, applications and outcomes to the community, health and science.

I am a country Australian and have travelled to study/work in Wagga Wagga, Canberra and Sydney. I wish to use my knowledge, qualifications and skills to provide an understanding of disease pathology and biology, specifically in the neurodegenerative disease, motor neuron disease. I believe that understanding disease pathology is vital to improve patient/clinician/carer support and care by determining diagnostic and prognostic techniques.