Blog: The Brain Dialogues

19 Aug 2020

Dr Darren Lipnicki | Meet Our Researcher Series

Understanding the universal and local risk factors for cognitive decline is what drives Dr Darren Lipnicki, Study Coordinator of CHeBA’s COSMIC consortium. COSMIC brings together researchers and data from studies on ageing across more than 30 countries, to identify risk and protective factors associated with cognitive decline and dementia and compare these around the world. Dr Lipnicki hopes that through this research CHeBA is able to identify modifiable lifestyle factors to assist individuals maintain their cognitive health as they age.   How did you get into researching the ageing brain… Read More
19 Aug 2020

Dr Amanda Selwood | Meet Our Researcher Series

Dr Amanda Selwood is relatively new to CHeBA; having had the unusual experience of commencing a new job without in-office contact. However, Dr Selwood has found a sense of belonging through engaging with CHeBA’s campaigns, in particular the #InThisTogether social media campaign which featured snapshots of CHeBA’s researchers sending messages of support to our study participants, colleagues and broader CHeBA community.   How did you get into researching the ageing brain? I completed my PhD in Cognitive Science at Macquarie University. I was looking at twin and sibling relationships and how… Read More
19 Aug 2020

Jessica Lo | Meet Our Researcher Series

Jess Lo is responsible for conducting and coordinating world-leading research through CHeBA’s international Stroke and Cognition Consortium (STROKOG). The consortium is the first international effort to collate and harmonise work on post-stroke dementia, which serves to help us better understand what contributes to cognitive impairment after stroke and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of post-stroke cognitive disorders.   How did you get into researching the ageing brain? Growing up in a rather traditional Chinese household, my parents steered me towards a career in science and maths… Read More
3 Aug 2020

Dr Louise Mewton | Meet Our Researcher Series

Risky alcohol consumption is often associated with younger people. However, Australian national statistics indicate that risky alcohol use is becoming increasingly prevalent among older adults. In fact, over 10% of older adults engage in high risk alcohol consumption on a daily basis. Dr Mewton hopes that through her research she will uncover the true relationship between risky alcohol use and cognitive decline.   How did you get into researching the ageing brain? My interest in researching the ageing brain only came about quite recently. My PhD and postdoctoral research predominantly… Read More
3 Aug 2020

Dr Anne Poljak | Meet Our Researcher Series

For Dr Anne Poljak, finding the mechanisms underlying cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and identifying disease biomarkers are fundamental not only for a better understanding of how the brain works in health and disease, but also for treatment and management of diseases and disorders which affect memory. Understanding disease mechanisms is an essential piece of the puzzle to determine causes of cognitive decline and discover new treatment approaches.   How did you get into researching the ageing brain? When I finished my undergraduate studies, I had an… Read More
3 Aug 2020

Dr Anbu Thalamuthu | Meet Our Researcher Series

CHeBA’s Genetics & Epigenomics Group is primarily concerned with identifying factors defining healthy cognitive function, as well as physical and mental wellbeing. Dr Thalamuthu, one of CHeBA’s senior Research Fellows, is providing critical analysis of age-related phenotypes to achieve this goal, bringing us one step closer to improving quality of life across the lifespan.    How did you get into researching the ageing brain? I obtained my PhD in Statistics from the University of Madras, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, South India. Being a statistician, I had the opportunity to work in several… Read More
3 Aug 2020

Heidi Foo | Meet Our Researcher Series

A PhD Candidate at CHeBA, Heidi Foo has taken a holistic approach to investigating determinants of healthy brain ageing by investigating the effect of genetic and environmental factors impacting cognitive health. Through her research she hopes to help shape more effective treatment interventions for people with dementia.   How did you get into researching the ageing brain? My first job as a graduate was in a tertiary hospital as a research assistant where I was responsible for administering neuropsychological assessments to patients who had dementia as well as Parkinson’s disease. In… Read More
20 Jul 2020

Dr Adith Mohan | Meet Our Researcher Series

Dr Adith Mohan’s transition from clinician to clinician-researcher stems from his interest in applying the principles of neuroscience to his clinical practice as a neuropsychiatrist. He is currently investigating gene expression across the lifespan to try to add to our knowledge of the risk factors for developing age-related brain diseases. He believes that uncovering age-related brain vulnerability is critical to understanding and preventing degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.   How did you get into researching the ageing brain? I completed my medical training in 2002… Read More
20 Jul 2020

Dr Catherine Browning | Meet Our Researcher Series

One of the most dynamic functions of Dr Browning’s role as Study Coordinator of the Sydney Centenarian Study is meeting with a diverse array of individuals, with undeniably more life experience than most. The study’s dataset is one of CHeBA’s richest sources of information regarding successful cognitive ageing.   How did you first get into researching the ageing brain? It certainly wasn’t a direct path! Instead of following my passion for science when I left high school, I studied commerce part-time at UNSW and worked as an undergraduate cadet at one of the big accounting firms – done as… Read More
20 Jul 2020

Associate Professor Wei Wen | Meet Our Researcher Series

The field of healthy brain ageing is broad and across researchers there is the common goal of ground-breaking outcomes to change the landscape of cognitive decline research and practice. Leader of CHeBA’s Neuroimaging Group, Associate Professor Wei Wen, highlights the importance of incremental research contributions, which play a fundamental role in shaping the foundation for more radical findings.   How did you first get into researching the ageing brain? I was a PhD student doing engineering at the University of Sydney. My degree directly involved research which was ultimately how I… Read More