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EDUCATION AND TRAINING EVENTS Professor Louise Parr-Brownlie and Professor John Reynolds University of Otago International Basal Ganglia Society Conference $20,000 Dr Martin Punter Health NZ Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley New Zealand Acute Stroke Simulation Course $19,968 Dr Simon O’Carroll University of Auckland AustralasianWinter Conference on Brain Research 2026 $14,993 TRAVEL GRANTS Dr Corinne Bareham Massey University Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness $4,200 Mr Luke Spencer Bialostocki University of Otago International Association for the Study of PainWorld Congress on Pain $4,456 Professor Bronwen Connor University of Auckland International Society for StemCell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting $4,500 Dr Hannah Hawley Massey University European Drosophila Neurobiology Conference and visit to Rosalind Franklin Institute $4,500 Professor Stephanie Hughes University of Otago Stengel 200 conference $4,500 Dr Jamie McQuillan University of Otago International Congress of Neuroendocrinology $4,500 FIRST FELLOWSHIPS Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and multiple sclerosis Dr Chelsie Osterman University of Auckland $241,333 CTE and multiple sclerosis (MS) have a younger onset than other neurodegenerative diseases and have some remarkable similarities. This fellowship will use donated human brain tissue to examine whether there are common changes in the brain’s support cells in CTE and MS, potentially finding newways to slow or prevent these diseases. Pain and cognition Dr Ashlee Berryman University of Otago $232,198 Endometriosis often causes long-term pelvic pain and can affect thinking, memory and focus. This fellowship will study how pain levels influence brain function and cognitive performance, and test the potential of an electronic wearable device (TENS - Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) to reduce pain and improve cognitive skills. This could provide a safe and effective way to manage pain in endometriosis. PHILIP WRIGHTSON FELLOWSHIP Postoperative delirium Dr James Hucklesby University of Auckland $247,845 Up to 40%of patients experience confusion and memory problems after surgery, known as postoperative delirium. This fellowship will use brain blood vessel cells grown in the lab to test how different medications protect them. This could help identify ways to protect the brain during surgery and improve patient outcomes. SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP Brain injury at birth Dr Simerdeep Dhillon University of Auckland $341,924 This fellowship will test the potential of a drug called deferoxamine to remove harmful iron from the brain and improve outcomes after a brain bleed, one of the most common and serious complications in babies born prematurely. The findings from this animal study will provide the basis for future clinical trials. SENIOR CLINICAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP Stroke Dr Douglas Campbell Health NZ Auckland $291,238 This fellowship will develop and trial newways to protect the brain early after stroke. Slowing brain injury before patients are able to receive hospital treatment will improve outcomes, particularly for those in rural and remote communities. VJ CHAPMAN FELLOWSHIP Multiple sclerosis Dr Dhara Knight A New Zealand neurologist who will undertake her research at the University of Tasmania $202,757 This fellowship will test a simple, computer-based self-assessment that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) can use regularly at home to track changes in brain function. Detecting progression of the disease earlier will support faster treatment decisions and better long-term outcomes for people living with MS. SMALL PROJECT GRANTS Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) Dr Christi Essex University of Auckland $20,000 CTE is a progressive brain disease linked to repeated head injuries that can currently only be diagnosed after death. This project will use donated human brain tissue to map where CTE damage occurs and identify these patterns using MRI. This will support the development of brain scanning tools that could detect CTE during life. Dementia Dr Blake Highet University of Auckland $20,000 One of the first signs of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease is loss of smell, which can appear years before memory or movement problems. This project will use donated human brain tissue to create detailed 3D images of the olfactory bulb, which is the area of the brain that processes smell. Mapping this area involved in the earliest stages of dementia could help identify new approaches for earlier treatment or prevention. Vascular dementia Professor Larry Chamley University of Auckland $19,980 This project examines why women who experience preeclampsia during pregnancy have a higher risk of vascular dementia later in life. Tiny particles from donated placentas will be tested in cell and animal models to see how they affect brain blood vessels and the blood-brain barrier. Understanding this link could help identify newways to prevent vascular dementia. Huntington’s disease Miss Linh Nguyen University of Auckland $16,974 Huntington’s disease causes a loss of brain cells due to deficiency of an essential protein called BDNF. A new drug has been designed to copy the protective effects of BDNF. In this project, brain cells will be grown from the skin cells of patients to test if this new drug can protect brain cells in Huntington’s. This could lay the foundation for a new treatment for people living with this disease. Linh has just finished her PhD and is working with Professor Bronwen Connor. Frontotemporal dementia Dr Bruce Mockett University of Otago $299,320 This project is testing a promising new gene therapy for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), using a naturally occurring brain protein which helps nerve cells grow, connect and stay healthy. An animal model of FTD will be used to test whether the gene therapy improves memory, brain function and damage. This could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent dementia. Brain injury at birth Dr Simerdeep Dhillon University of Auckland $127,849 This project focuses on brain injury caused by bleeding in the brains of premature babies. A sheepmodel that closelymimics human infants will be used to test whether reducing harmful iron and adding growth factors can limit injury and support brain repair. This could improve treatment options and long-termoutcomes for these vulnerable babies. Simerdeep has also been awarded a Senior Research Fellowship. Find out more about Simerdeep’s research on page 15. Neurological Foundation-funded research must meet all NZ and international ethical codes and legislation. See page 2 to find out more. 18 Headlines 19 Headlines