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Steven Meikle is a Professor of Medical Imaging Physics and Head of the Imaging Physics Laboratory at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney. He also serves as Deputy Director (Preclinical) of Sydney Imaging and Deputy Director of the National Imaging Facility's Sydney node. His expertise spans advanced imaging technologies, with a focus on PET/SPECT instrumentation and molecular imaging. He holds a B.App.Sc.(Hons) from the University of Technology Sydney and a PhD from the University of New South Wales. Research focuses include developing novel PET systems like Open-field PET (for freely moving rodents) and Total Body PET, which enhance imaging sensitivity and enable real-time behavioral studies alongside brain function analysis. Collaborations include Tsinghua University (China) and UC Davis (USA). He leads projects on motion correction, quantitative imaging, and AI-driven analysis. Key achievements include over 180 peer-reviewed publications, editorial roles in Physics in Medicine and Biology , and leadership in professional societies. Awards include IEEE Senior Membership and Australian Institute of Physics Fellowship. Current student projects explore Total Body PET applications, motion correction, and radiopharmaceutical evaluation. Teaching roles include medical physics courses in diagnostic radiography and medical physics programs. He advises on imaging ethics, facility implementation, and translational research bridging basic science and clinical applications.

• Medical Imaging
• Molecular Imaging
• Neuroscience
• +3 more

Professor Peter Godfrey-Smith holds a half-time position in the School of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Sydney, alongside his role at the CUNY Graduate Center. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Sydney and a PhD in Philosophy from UC San Diego. His research spans the philosophy of biology, animal cognition, and consciousness evolution, with notable books like Other Minds and Metazoa . Key awards include the Royal Society of NSW Medal (2017) and the Lakatos Award (2010) for his work Darwinian Populations and Natural Selection . His fieldwork on octopuses has garnered international attention, exploring their intelligence and implications for understanding consciousness. Peter has taught at Stanford, Harvard, and ANU, balancing academic roles with public engagement through media appearances and podcasts. Education: B.A. University of Sydney; PhD in Philosophy, UC San Diego. Research Interests: Evolution of consciousness, animal minds, cephalopod behavior, philosophy of biology, and interdisciplinary studies on cognitive evolution. Awards: Royal Society of NSW Medal (2017), Lakatos Award (2010), multiple fellowships and recognitions in philosophy and biology. Grants and Advising: While no specific grants are listed, his extensive publications reflect sustained research funding. Advises students in history and philosophy of science, though current names are not provided. Labs/Teams: Engages in fieldwork on octopuses, collaborating with marine biologists and philosophers globally. Active in interdisciplinary research groups studying animal cognition.

• Philosophy of Biology
• Animal Minds
• Consciousness Studies
• +3 more

Associate Professor Bronwyn Finnigan is affiliated with the School of Philosophy within the Research School of Social Sciences (RSSS) at the Australian National University (ANU). Her academic qualifications include a BA Hons from Melbourne University, an MA from Sydney University, and a PhD from the University of Auckland. Her research focuses on philosophy of mind, moral psychology, and ethics, with a particular emphasis on integrating Western and Asian philosophical traditions, especially Buddhism. Her current research project, Buddhist Meta-Ethics and Moral Psychology (2018–2025), explores the justificatory grounds of moral judgments in Madhyamaka Buddhism. Finnigan’s work bridges philosophical analysis with Buddhist thought, addressing themes like self-awareness, ethical agency, fear, and the implications of Buddhist doctrines such as karma and rebirth. Her publications span topics ranging from Buddhist perspectives on fear and moral responsibility to comparative analyses of Western and Buddhist ethical frameworks. She is actively involved in supervising research students in these areas.

• Philosophy of Mind
• Moral Psychology
• Buddhist Philosophy
• +3 more

Dr. Matthew Cipa is an Affiliate Research Fellow and Teaching Associate in Film and Television Studies at The University of Queensland's School of Communication and Arts. His work bridges film studies with philosophical inquiry, particularly exploring metaphysical dimensions of cinema and television. He holds a PhD in Metaphysical Film and Television from The University of Queensland (2020). Research focuses on philosophical analysis of film form, directorial auteurism, and representation of abstract concepts like empathy and existence. Notable projects include studies on Abel Ferrara's critical reception, autism portrayal in Being There/Phantom Thread, and metaphysical themes in films like EO and Au Hasard Balthazar. Published works include a 2024 monograph exploring metaphysical screen concepts and chapters in academic collections on Schiller's philosophy and directorial styles. His reviews engage with key texts in film philosophy and cognition theories. Teaching responsibilities include film theory and analysis courses within the School of Communication and Arts. Active in academic discourse through the Digital Futures Lab and scholarly collaborations with institutions like Edinburgh University Press and SUNY Press.

• Film Studies
• Cinema Philosophy
• Autism Representation in Media
• +3 more

Dr. Emma Axelsson is a Lecturer at the School of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Australia. Her research focuses on cognitive and social development in typically and atypically developing children, with specific interests in early word learning, sleep-related memory consolidation, screen time effects on development, and infants' social category representations using eye-tracking technology. Doctor of Philosophy, University of East London Bachelor of Arts (Honours in Psychology), University of Queensland Dr. Axelsson's research spans multiple disciplines including cognitive neuroscience, memory and attention, and child development. She explores how sleep patterns interact with learning outcomes, investigates screen time's impact on preschoolers' cognition, and examines visual processing of bodies and faces in developmental contexts. Her recent publications highlight trends in screen time research, with 2025 studies analyzing executive function and sleep interactions, and 2024 work examining cross-species social evaluation mechanisms. Earlier articles (2022-2013) cover temperament effects on word learning, body perception mechanisms, and longitudinal developmental studies. Dr. Axelsson supervises multiple PhD and Masters projects related to screen time, sleep, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Her research team collaborates internationally through networks like ManyBabies and Healthy Minds (Hunter Medical Research Institute).

• Cognitive Development
• Social Development
• Sleep-Related Learning
• +4 more

Associate Professor Andre Kyme is an academic staff member in the School of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Sydney. His research focuses on developing enabling technologies for biomedical imaging, including motion compensation in MRI/PET, robotic platforms for image-guided therapy, and cross-disciplinary applications like plant salt uptake analysis using PET. He collaborates with institutions globally and advises students on projects like lameness detection in horses and AI-based motion correction. Research Interests: Kyme's work spans motion correction in medical imaging modalities, medical robotics integration with imaging systems, and innovative applications of imaging technologies in non-traditional fields. His team emphasizes leveraging advancements in computer vision, machine learning, and instrumentation to improve imaging performance and accessibility. Recent Projects: Current research includes MRI-compatible robotic platforms for therapy applications, AI-driven lameness detection in horses, and pediatric neuroimaging improvements. He leads the BREEZE initiative to enhance MRI accessibility for children with cerebral palsy through eye-gaze communication technology. Publications: His work spans 20+ years with over 50 peer-reviewed publications in journals like Physics in Medicine and Biology and IEEE Transactions. Key areas include PET/SPECT/CT motion correction algorithms, robotic systems for medical imaging, and novel imaging applications in plant science. Teaching: Kyme instructs core biomedical engineering courses including thesis supervision and capstone projects at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Labs/Teams: Active in the Brain and Mind Centre and Biomedical Imaging, Visualisation and Information Technologies groups at Sydney. Collaborates with industry partners like TeleMedVet and academic institutions including University of California Davis and Chinese University of Hong Kong.

• Biomedical Imaging
• Medical Imaging Physics
• Motion Compensation in Imaging
• +5 more

Associate Professor Susanna Park is an academic in Neuroscience at the School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney. She leads a research group investigating neuropathy and neuromuscular diseases, with a focus on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity. Her work emphasizes clinical assessment tools and axonal degeneration mechanisms. Park holds affiliations with the Brain and Mind Centre and the Faculty of Medicine and Health. Education: PhD from University of New South Wales (UNSW) Notable Fellowships: RG Menzies/NHMRC Overseas Biomedical Fellowship (2011–2014) Research Interests: Clinical neurophysiology, blood-based biomarkers, and motor neuron disorders. Her studies address nerve excitability, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and inflammatory neuropathies. Park’s translational work includes developing clinical tools for neuropathy assessment in cancer patients. Publications focus on chemotherapy-induced neuropathy mechanisms, axonal degeneration, and biomarker discovery. Recent work explores electroacupuncture for neuropathy management and plasma lipidomics in risk assessment. Awards: 2022 SUPRA Supervisor of the Year finalist, 2018 RD Wright Fellowship Labs/Teams: Brain and Mind Centre, collaborating with international consortia like the Toxic Neuropathy Consortium.

• Clinical neurophysiology
• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
• Axonal degeneration
• +8 more

Professor Elisa Hill is a distinguished academic at RMIT University where she serves as a Professor in the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences within the College of Science. She leads the Gut-Brain Axis Laboratory and holds the significant position of Deputy Chair of the Academic Board at RMIT University. Her career spans prestigious institutions including The University of Melbourne and research collaborations in Paris, France. Professor Hill earned her PhD in Neuroscience from The University of Melbourne in 2002. She subsequently undertook a CNRS postdoctoral position in Paris studying cortical neuronal diversity. Returning to Melbourne in 2006 as an NHMRC Howard Florey Centenary Fellow, she joined Prof Steve Petrou's laboratory to investigate neuronal networks in genetic mouse models of epilepsy. In 2009, she imported the Neuroligin-3R451C mouse model of autism to Australia, establishing herself as a pioneer in gut-brain axis research. Her research program focuses on three interconnected areas: identifying causes of gut dysfunction in transgenic mouse models of neurological disease, determining how neurons communicate with the lymphoid system and inflammation, and understanding interactions between the nervous system and bacteria. Professor Hill has demonstrated that gene variations associated with autism alter neuron populations in the mouse enteric nervous system, affecting gut motility, permeability, microbiome composition, and behavior. Her laboratory has developed sophisticated capabilities including video-imaging assays for gut motility, immunofluorescence for neuronal and immune cell analysis, and whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology for neuronal activity profiling. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on the gut-brain axis in autism, with particular attention to the Neuroligin-3R451C mouse model. Her work spans neuroimmunology, gastrointestinal physiology, microbiome interactions, and behavioral neuroscience, demonstrating an increasingly interdisciplinary approach that integrates molecular, cellular, and systems-level perspectives. A notable trend is the expansion of her research into translational applications, including biomaterial development for urogynaecological health. NHMMRC Howard Florey Centenary Fellowship ARC Future Fellowship RMIT Senior Vice Chancellor's Research Fellowship Professor Hill actively supervises numerous PhD students including Vic Lin, Yuansong Li, and Mohammed Al Alamoudi, among others. Her research has been supported by major funding bodies including NHMRC, US Department of Defense CDMRP, CNRS, ARC, and RMIT. She leads the Gut-Brain Axis Laboratory, which collaborates extensively with researchers across institutions, particularly with Prof Ashley Franks at La Trobe University. The laboratory employs a multidisciplinary team with expertise in neuroscience, microbiology, immunology, and gastrointestinal physiology, utilizing advanced techniques to investigate the complex interactions between the nervous system, immune system, and gut microbiome.

• Neurosciences
• Physiology
• Microbiology
• +5 more

Kimberley Owens is a Senior Lecturer and Curriculum Transformation Lead at James Cook University (JCU) within the College of Medicine and Dentistry. She holds a PhD from the Australian National University (2008) and a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) from JCU (2001). Her work spans medical education, historical archaeology, and student well-being initiatives. Teaching focuses include Health Professional Education, Social Contexts of Health Systems, and Historic Archaeology. She coordinates modules like [MD3000] Selective Study (2021–2023) and led grants addressing mindfulness training for health students (2015–2019). Owens actively participates in university committees, including the Medicine Board of Studies and CMD Curriculum Management Committee. Her research bridges archaeology and education, with notable projects on Lord Howe Island colonization (2008) and mindfulness interventions in medical training (2020). She has presented widely on health education pedagogy and curriculum transformation at ANZAHPE conferences since 2010.

• Health Professional Education
• Medical Education
• Historical Archaeology
• +3 more

Dr Kirstin Mills is Senior Lecturer and Director of the Master of Research and Graduate Diploma of Research in the Faculty of Arts at Macquarie University. She holds a PhD and a BA (Hons, First Class) in Literature from Macquarie University, with her doctoral thesis entitled "Imagined Worlds: the Role of Dreams, Space, and the Supernatural in the Evolution of Victorian Fantasy" (2014). She has led the design and implementation of innovative graduate research programs including the Graduate Diploma of Research which launched in 2025. Dr Mills earned her PhD in English Literature from Macquarie University with a thesis examining dreams, space, and the supernatural in Victorian fantasy literature. Her undergraduate honors work focused on psychology and epic fantasy in Beowulf and Tolkien. She maintains active involvement in academic leadership through positions on the University's Graduate Research Management Committee and as Deputy Chair of the Faculty of Arts Research Training Committee. Dr Mills' research specializes in Gothic and fantastic literature with particular focus on the long nineteenth century and its twenty-first century adaptations. Her work explores intersections between Gothic literature and historical, cultural, and technological contexts, examining representations of space, the supernatural, and the sciences of the mind. This includes studies of nineteenth-century theories of dreams and consciousness, Victorian mathematical concepts of the fourth dimension, digital adaptations of Gothic literature, Gothic animal studies, and gender in Gothic narratives. She has published on authors ranging from Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Mary Shelley to contemporary digital vampire texts. Analysis of Dr Mills' recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary approach connecting Gothic studies with science, psychology, and digital media. Her work spans Victorian Gothic and the occult, Frankenstein and undead sciences, and theories of dreaming in Romantic literature. She consistently examines how literature engages with scientific concepts of life, death, and consciousness, demonstrating expertise in both historical context and contemporary adaptations. Editor of "Advances in Nineteenth-Century Research" (Routledge/Taylor and Francis) Series Editor for the "International Nineteenth-Century Studies Association Book Series" with Clemson University Press Board Member of the Australasian Horror Studies Network Board Member of the International Nineteenth-Century Studies Association Dr Mills supervises PhD and Master of Research students in Gothic and fantastic literature and their adaptations. She has developed curriculum for advanced research training units including FOAR8010 Research Writing, FOAR8020 Research Theory, and FOAR8030 Research Methods. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes interdisciplinary connection, creative thinking, and building supportive academic communities. She has presented on research supervision at conferences and contributes to professional development for researchers. Dr Mills maintains active engagement with both academic and public communities. She contributes regularly to Macquarie's "The Lighthouse" magazine with articles on Dracula, Wednesday, Beetlejuice, Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, and Victorian-era TV shows. She provides commentary for newspapers, has been interviewed on ABC and 2SER Radio about ghost stories and adaptations, and speaks at public events including at the State Library of New South Wales. She appears regularly on the "From the Lighthouse" podcast and serves as an accredited Mental Health First Aider and member of Macquarie's Ally Network.

• Gothic Literature
• Gothic Visual and Digital Media
• Victorian and Long-Nineteenth-Century Literature
• +8 more

Professor Robert Brooks is a Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales , affiliated with the Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and leading the SEX LAB . His research spans evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary psychology. Key affiliations: UNSW, Evolution & Ecology Research Centre Research focus: Evolutionary consequences of sex, sexual selection, human aging, gender dynamics, and technological impacts on mating Research Interests include: Mate choice and sexual conflict Evolution of attractiveness costs Sex differences in aging and longevity Intersection of evolution and economics Human life history evolution Evolutionary perspectives on social issues (obesity, feminism, technology) Recent Publications demonstrate interdisciplinary work: behavioral ecology in Proceedings of the Royal Society B , evolutionary psychology in Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology , and socioecological analysis in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution . Themes include mating systems, human behavioral patterns, and reproductive trade-offs. Awards: 2012 Queensland Literary Award for Science Writing 2013 Eureka Prize for Communicating Science Contact: rob.brooks@unsw.edu.au

• Evolutionary Biology
• Sexual Selection
• Mate Choice
• +7 more

Dr Emily Brayshaw is an Honorary Research Fellow and Casual Academic at the University of Technology Sydney's Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building. She combines scholarly work in critical costume studies with theatrical costume design and viola performance . Holding a 2016 PhD in Design from UTS and a BA (Hons) from the University of New South Wales, her research spans fashion history, performance costume, and material culture. Current Appointments: Honorary Research Fellow (2019-2026), Casual Academic in Design/Fashion History Research Themes: WWI dress, kitsch aesthetics, sustainability in costume, shoe studies, and body-garment dynamics Her interdisciplinary work connects fashion theory with theatre practice, examining costume's psychological and ethical dimensions. Publications since 2014 explore topics ranging from vaudeville's racialized costumes to contemporary footwear trends . She actively contributes to public discourse through The Conversation and maintains memberships in the Footwear Research Network and Association of Dress Historians . Recent scholarship reveals trends in 20th-century costume methodology , WWI fashion dynamics , and shoe symbolism across media. Articles like 'Dressing for the Viola' (2023) and 'From Caftan King to Peacock Pasha' (2024) demonstrate her focus on gendered performance wear and orientalist fashion . Her 2021 Journal of Aesthetics & Culture translation of Schlemmer's kitsch manuscript bridges historical avant-garde theory with modern practice. As a public intellectual, Emily has completed over 100 media interviews since 2020, covering topics like Crocs' cultural resurgence and vaudeville's legacy . Her teaching encompasses fashion theory, critical thinking, and costume history, while she simultaneously serves as principal viola for the Woollahra Philharmonic Orchestra.

• Performance Costume
• Fashion History
• Textile Design
• +7 more

Professor Mary Collins is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Neuroscience at the University of Sydney , affiliated with the Sydney School of Medical Sciences . She serves as Interim Associate Dean, Research and Head of School . Member of the Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation Member of the Brain and Mind Centre Research Interests GABA Receptors : Focus on subtype-selective modulators, binding site identification, and roles in anxiety, sleep disorders, and epilepsy. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors : Structure-function studies using site-directed mutagenesis and reactive probes to understand ligand binding. Drug Discovery : SAR studies for selective agents targeting Cys-loop receptors, including flavonoids and cannabinoids. Scientific Contributions Her 15 most recent articles (2020-2024) span epilepsy genetics , receptor stoichiometry , neuroprotective flavonoids , and cannabinoid interactions . Key themes include precision medicine for receptor variants and neurotransmitter modulation in disorders. ASCEPT Young Investigator Award RACI Biota Award Fellow of RACI (2006) Supervision Award (University of Sydney, 2008) Advising Current students: Jacinda HOLTSMARK (epilepsy neurophysiology), Sze Hon KAN (genetic epilepsies), Fiona WANG (neurological mechanisms).

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Molecular Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• +5 more

Professor Mike Le Pelley is a cognitive psychologist working in the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). His research program spans multiple domains of cognitive science, focusing on the intersection of mind, brain and behavior. Professor Le Pelley's work aims to characterize the mental processes underlying human cognition and how these processes influence ongoing behavior in both healthy individuals and those with psychiatric conditions. His primary research focus is the relationship between attention and learning. Specifically, he investigates how attention changes as a result of learning about relationships between events. For example, as described in his profile, when driving, individuals prioritize the road ahead while trying to ignore distractions like squabbling children in the back seat. Professor Le Pelley's research examines the mechanisms that govern such attentional prioritization. While the core of his research focuses on fundamental processes in healthy cognition, he also studies how dysfunction in these processes contributes to conditions such as addiction and schizophrenia. His work has significant implications for understanding cognitive processes in both healthy individuals and those with psychiatric conditions. Professor Le Pelley has published extensively on topics including attentional capture by reward-related stimuli, associative learning, and the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes. His research frequently employs eye-tracking and neurophysiological methods to examine cognitive processes. His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a clear research trajectory examining how reward systems influence attentional mechanisms. A significant portion of his work investigates how outcome variance, rather than just reward value, modulates attentional priority. His research on inner speech has provided important neurophysiological evidence regarding motor preparation and how this process is disrupted in schizophrenia. Professor Le Pelley's work consistently bridges basic cognitive mechanisms with clinical applications, particularly in understanding addiction and schizophrenia. Professor Le Pelley has made substantial contributions to theoretical frameworks in cognitive psychology, particularly in the areas of associative learning and attention. His 2010 book 'Attention and Associative Learning: From Brain to Behaviour' (co-edited with Chris Mitchell) is a significant contribution to the field. His collaborative work extends across multiple institutions and disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his research.

• Cognitive Psychology
• Attention
• Learning
• +7 more

Dr. Lesley McLean is a Lecturer in Philosophy and Religion at the University of New England (UNE), within the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, part of the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education. Her work bridges religion, media, and popular culture, with a focus on dark tourism and animal ethics. She coordinates units exploring new religions, media, gender in religions, and sacred studies. Lesley holds a BA (Hons) in Studies in Religion and a PhD in Philosophy from UNE. Her research integrates interdisciplinary approaches to topics like religion’s representation in pop culture, animal ethics, and the cultural significance of dark tourism sites. She has published widely on these themes, including analyses of dark tourism storytelling, convict narratives, and animal liberation theories. Her recent publications highlight intersections between media, criminal narratives, and heritage preservation. For instance, she explores how dark tourism sites reinterpret convict history through digital technologies and branding. In animal ethics, her work examines moral frameworks for human-animal relationships and environmental ethics. No scientific awards are listed. Advising and grant details are not specified in the text. While no dedicated labs or teams are noted, her research contributes to broader discussions in cultural studies and philosophy at UNE.

• Religion and Popular Culture
• Dark Tourism
• Animal Ethics
• +3 more