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A postgraduate research opportunity at the University of Otago.

Details

Close date
Thursday, 30 November 2023
Academic background
Health Sciences, Sciences
Host campus
Christchurch
Qualification
PhD
Department
Medicine (Christchurch)
Supervisor
Professor Tim Anderson, Dr Michael MacAskill, Dr Tracy Melzer, Dr Toni Pitcher

Overview

We have some substantial projects underway in Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Huntington's. Our research is conducted at a human behavioural and clinical level.

Our methods include brain imaging (functional, structural, diffusion and perfusion MRI; metabolic and protein deposition PET), movement measurement (eye and hand tracking), and neuropsychological assessment.

Student background

These projects have roles for students from diverse backgrounds, including psychology, neuroscience, physics, mathematics, statistics, and medicine.

Potential topics

  • Progression in Parkinson's disease: evidence from serial eye movement, MRI, and cognitive assessment
  • Freezing and falling in Parkinson's disease – who, why and what to do
  • Multiple sclerosis – epidemiology and mechanisms
  • Cerebral haemodynamic function in ageing and dementia
  • Saccadic eye movements in health and in neurological disorders
  • Adaptation of human saccadic eye movements
  • Hand-eye coordination in real-world tasks.
  • Mathematical modeling of neurological disease onset, incidence, and progression
  • Brain imaging in other populations including very preterm birth, mild traumatic brain injury, etc.

For further information

New Zealand Brain Research Insitute
Department of Medicine (University of Otago, Christchurch)

Clinical neurology

Prof Tim Anderson
Email tim.anderson@cdhb.govt.nz
Professor Anderson's profile (New Zealand Brain Research Institute website)

Movement

Dr Michael MacAskill
Email michael.macaskill@otago.ac.nz
Dr MacAskill's profile (New Zealand Brain Research Institute website)

Brain imaging

Dr Tracy Melzer
Email tracy.melzer@nzbri.org
Dr Melzer's profile (New Zealand Brain Research Institute website)

PD imaging and epidemiology

Dr Toni Pitcher
Email toni.pitcher@otago.ac.nz
Dr Pitcher's profile (New Zealand Brain Research Institute website)

Contact

Prof Tim Anderson
Emailtim.anderson@cdhb.govt.nz

Useful information

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