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Associate Professor Louise Parr-Brownlie Dr Louise Parr-Brownlie (Ngāti Maniapoto me Te Arawa) is the Co-Director of the AgeingWell National Science Challenge and an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy at the University of Otago. Louise examines how brain cell activity controls movement and applies that knowledge to improve treatments for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Louise has extended her research programme to investigate brain changes associated with chronic pain and Māori community perspectives of neurosurgical approaches to treat brain disorders. What advice would you offer young people (specifically females) looking to start a career in science? “Listen to your heart. Figure out what is important and what drives you to get out of bed each morning, then combine that with what your heart and brain tells you to do…Don’t get distracted. Watch out for opportunities that come to you – they are often life changing.” Associate Professor Yiwen Zheng Associate Professor Yiwen Zheng is a Co-Director of the Vestibular and Auditory Research group at the University of Otago, a Principal Investigator of Brain Research New Zealand and a member of the management committee of the New Zealand Eisdell Moore Centre for Research in Hearing and Balance Disorders. Her research areas include understanding the underlying mechanisms of tinnitus and developing effective treatments, as well as understanding the contribution of vestibular information to higher cognitive function. She has published 88 research papers, four book chapters and has been a guest speaker at various international and national conferences. What advice would you offer young people (specifically females) looking to start a career in science? “Make sure that it is something you really want to do. Do not underestimate yourself, build up your confidence and believe in yourself. Networking with your peers is key.” How do you approach challenges in your work as a researcher? “Stay positive, realise that science does not always work the way you expected, think about a different approach and try again.” Meet our Women in Science Some of our panellists were asked a series of questions so that our supporters would have an opportunity to learn more about them, their research and the inspiration for their current career path. Women in Science: Invercargill 11 February 5.30 – 7.30 pm Civic Theatre, 88 Tay Street For more information and to get a ticket please visit wis2020-invercargill. lilregie.com or call our head office at 0508 BRAINS (0508 272 467). Headlines 5