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Teenage “neuroscientists” A group of New Zealand’s top Year 11 science students were treated to the “mind-blowing” experience of a day in the life of a neuroscientist at the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research, and at the University of Otago’s Brain STEM lab. T he internships were part of the NZ Brain Bee Challenge, an annual neuroscience competition for high-school students supported by the Neurological Foundation, CatWalk Trust, and the Freemasons Foundation. This year’s North Island winner was Nakisha Wood (Carmel College) and the South Island winner was Sam O’Hagan (Lincoln High School). They were among 25 of the highest- scoring students nationwide to receive the internships as part of their prize, gaining the opportunity to step inside real research labs and see brain science in action. Mikayla Davies fromNapier Girls’ High School called the day “mind-blowing”, adding that “scientists weren’t mad people talking in another language – they were passionate people changing lives.” At Otago, Tiantian Chen from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School said dissecting a mouse brain “pushed me out of my comfort zone but showed how incredible the brain really is.” Ayan Shah, fromMacleans College, said the experience has inspired him to pursue a career in medical research. “I was especially fascinated by the tissue screening facility, where neuroscientists showed us how they analyse brain tissue using antibodies to identify specific proteins and cells, and learning about how donated brain tissue is stored and prepared for research, which I found fascinating.” Shaivi Kulkarni, from EpsomGirls Grammar School, was fascinated to learn about the brain donation process. “I’d never really thought about what happens after someone donates their brain. Learning how the Brain Bank technicians preserve the tissue, and hearing how these samples help researchers, gave me a huge appreciation for the donors and their families.” Congratulations to all of the winners. We’ve posted more of the wonderful essays and stories they shared with us online at neurological.org.nz/news/ Left to right: Shaivi Kulkarni and Abigail Chang (EpsomGirls Grammar), and Sofie Godinho (Sacred Heart College) at Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research. Postdoctoral FellowVictoria Hawkins with Araav Dawar (Rototuna College), Silvia Kralova (ACG Parnell), and Stefanie Lin (Macleans College). Aspiring doctor spends summer studying stroke Medical student Amelia Isac is passionate about improving stroke response times. During her first hospital placement, she saw first-hand how devastating a stroke can be. Now in her fourth year studying medicine at the University of Otago, Wellington, Amelia is thrilled to contribute, even in a small way, to delivering stroke treatment to patients faster, thanks to a Neurological Foundation Summer Studentship. She began her studentship in November, supervised by neurologist Professor Anna Ranta. “Time is brain. It’s the golden rule of stroke care,” says Amelia. “Timely access to hospital care is the most vital part of effective stroke treatment. Physicians are looking for anything that can hasten all the little steps that add up to make a big difference.” Telestroke, when specialists guide treatment by phone or video for patients in non-urban areas, lends itself to the rapid response required in stroke care. Amelia’s 10-week summer research project will help validate telestroke as a tool by comparing national telestroke and standard care data to see which leads to faster treatment and better outcomes. Read more on our website: neurological.org.nz/news/ Headlines 19