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SUMMER STUDENTS We’re so excited to be awarding not three but FOUR summer studentships this year! The standard was so high, we couldn’t separate the third & fourth-placed applicants. Each brilliant young researcher will receive a studentship worth $8,500. Congratulations to: • Stanley Cardon, University of Auckland, who’ll look for markers of inflammation that are unique to CTE, even when other neurological disease is present. He’ll be supervised by Dr Helen Murray. • Daniel Lavin, a medical student at the University of Auckland, who’ll look at how a certain gene is involved in inflammation after spinal cord injury. He’ll be supervised by Dr Simon O'Carroll. • Jordan Doran, University of Otago, who’ll look at how mutations in a specific gene can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. He’ll be supervised by Associate Professor Louise Bicknell. • Amy Pollard, University of Otago, who’ll investigate whether a treatment called agmatine could reduce hyperactivity and brain inflammation in babies who’ve been exposed to viral infections in the womb. She’ll be supervised by Professor Ping Liu. Our upcoming events We’ve developed an exciting calendar of events for early next year. Here are some dates for your diary! Check neurological.org.nz/events or phone 0508272467 (0508BRAINS) to register or tofind outmore. Headlines 3 Fighting back: Could our immune system help beat brain cancer? 20 February, 6.30pm, Mövenpick Hotel, Wellington Join Associate Professor Melanie McConnell, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, and PhD candidate Mr Devlin Forsythe, who’ll describe their team’s work to understand brain cancer and reach new frontiers in treatment. Lost thoughts, fading memories: How neuroplasticity helps when Alzheimer’s hits Date & time to be confirmed, Highland Motorsports Park, Cromwell Join us for this session with renowned University of Otago neuroscientist Professor Cliff Abraham and postdoctoral fellow Dr Shurathi Sateesh. Learn how our brain adapts and copes with cognitive challenges, as well as what’s in store for Alzheimer’s research. Returning joy to people’s lives: Rewiring the brain to support stroke recovery 6 March, 6.30pm, Suter Art Gallery, Nelson Join University of Canterbury Distinguished Professor Maggie- Lee Huckabee, Dr Phoebe Macrae and PhD candidate Madeline Mills as they share valuable insights on stroke rehabilitation in New Zealand. During the session, they will discuss the amazing work they do at the Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research that is shaping the future of stroke rehabilitation. Breaking the grip of pain: Managing migraine in Aotearoa 27 March, 6.30pm, Royal NZ Yacht Squadron, Auckland Join a panel of experts from the Migraine Foundation as they give their insights on managing migraine attacks and share information about the latest research, medications and treatment options available in New Zealand. Speakers will be confirmed in the March issue of Headlines . Round the Bays is on the way! Keen to support the Neurological Foundation by running Southern Cross Round the Bays in Christchurch (2 February), Wellington (16 February) or Auckland (2 March)? It’s New Zealand’s funnest fun run! Find out more: www.roundthebays.co.nz Please note: Event details are subject to change. Please check our website for updates.