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At the retreat, researchers present their findings, learn from senior academics, and engage in professional development. This year, the retreat will focus on developing collaborations, and the skills developed will contribute to New Zealand’s next generation of neuroscientists’ development as independent scientists. Travel grants To attend the Australasian Neuroscience Society 2019 (ANS), the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function Satellite meeting and the ANS ImagingWorkshop Dr Juliette Cheyne, University of Auckland $1,210 Dr Juliette Cheyne will present her progress and plans on using in vivo imaging to understand circuit changes in brain disorders, including her work on current progress examining development and function of the auditory cortex in Autism SpectrumDisorder. Only 8 people were invited to present at this satellite. Dr Cheyne will also present a poster at the main ANS meeting which attracts leading scientists from all over the world. This a great opportunity to present her work to a broader international audience to build her network and gain important feedback from leading scientists in her field. In addition, by attending symposia Dr Cheyne will get up-to-date with advances in her research field. Finally, she will attend the ImagingWorkshop which will be useful to learn more about recent advances in imaging technology and to build an international network of scientists using similar techniques. Research visit to Professor Steven Miller’s team at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Canada Dr Eleanor Kennedy, University of Auckland $4,030 SickKids is an internationally renowned paediatric teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto, and Prof Miller’s team have specialist expertise in paediatric neuroimaging analysis. During Dr Eleanor Kennedy’s planned research visit she will acquire analysis skills for paediatric MRI analysis that will substantially increase the potential value of the CHYLD Study, which is partly funded by the Neurological Foundation. The research visit will strengthen ties with collaborators and Dr Kennedy will bring back neuroimaging analysis expertise that is not currently available in New Zealand. To attend Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Conference and visit the laboratories of stroke researchers Dr Hillary Carswell, University of Strathclyde and Prof Karen Horsburgh, University of Edinburgh Dr Ailsa McGregor, University of Otago $4,200 This will be the first time data from research conducted solely at the University of Otago will be presented to an international audience. FENS (Federation of European Neuroscience Societies) promotes neuroscience research to policy-makers, funding bodies and the general public, both regionally and internationally. FENS has over 22,000 members and represents 32 countries. The FENS conference in Glasgow in July 2020 is therefore an appropriate venue to present translational research. FENS also provides an opportunity to find out about the latest developments in a number of neuroscience fields, particularly any newmodels, methods and techniques which could enhance current research. In addition to keeping up to date with new developments in the field, presenting Dr McGregor’s data at international conferences is essential to raise the profile of her laboratory and the work being carried out within the School of Pharmacy, Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology, BHRC and BRNZ. To attend and present at the 12th Hershey Conference on Developmental Brain Injury, held in Gothenburg, Sweden Dr GuidoWassink, University of Auckland $3,800 The purpose of this travel is for Dr GuidoWassink to present his current research, funded by the Neurological Foundation, at the 12th Hershey conference in Gothenburg, Sweden. The ability to present and discuss new data in this highly specialised arena will enhance interpretation of these important results and influence manuscript preparation. Abstracts Dr Wassink presented at previous conferences and meetings have generally resulted in peer- reviewed publications; he has published five peer-reviewed manuscripts (1-5) on this project grant thus far. Finally, as a junior researcher, attending this specialised conference provides unique opportunities for developing overseas collaborations and exploring research fellowships. Headlines 19