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14 Headlines Thulani Palpagama is a third year PhD student in the department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging at the University of Auckland, completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences. Thulani Hansika Palpagama PhD student, Anatomy and Medical Imaging University of Auckland “It has been a very confusing time and I am so grateful for this support from the Foundation. This will go a long way towards the progression of my project.” – Ms Thulani Palpagama Thulani completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biomedical Sciences in November 2016 from the University of Auckland under the supervision of Dr Andrea Kwakowksy and Associate Professor Henry Waldvogel. She has received the W&B Miller Postgraduate scholarship, supported by the estate of Trevor Small, and two travel grants from the Foundation to present her findings abroad. Thulani was due to complete her PhD project later this year but unfortunately due to COVID-19 lockdown, that is no longer the case. Thulani’s research primarily focuses on the presence of a neuroinflammatory response in Huntington’s disease. Her focus is on a part of the brain, the cingulate cortex, that shows significant degeneration in patients with mood symptoms of Huntington’s disease. The project may reveal potential therapeutic targets for treatment. Thulani’s research heavily relies on running experiments in a l gression of her work, and consequently, when she will be able to complete her PhD. “The support of the Neurological Foundation in these complicated times has been paramount in easing some of the pressure that my project has been under due to the circumstances. For this I feel very supported and I am truly very grateful. The generosity of the Neurological Foundation gives students like me security and one less thing to worry about in these times.”