Gila Moalem-Taylor

Associate Professor Gila Moalem-Taylor is a research-focused academic at the Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. She leads the Neuropathic Pain Research Group and serves as the Postgraduate Coordinator at the School of Biomedical Sciences. Her academic journey includes a PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science (2001), followed by a Rothschild Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Cincinnati Medical Centre, and postdoctoral fellowships at UNSW.

Dr. Moalem-Taylor's research expertise spans:

• Neuroimmune interactions in health and disease
• Neuropathic pain mechanisms and treatments
• Multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders
• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
• Immunomodulation and neuromodulation approaches

Her laboratory employs various approaches including animal models of nervous system injury/disease, in vivo immune cell therapies, in vitro culture systems of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons, microglia, and regulatory T cells, along with molecular, biochemical, histological, microscopy, and imaging techniques. Current research focuses on the role of immune cells and their mediators (e.g., cytokines) in neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nerve injury, autoimmune diseases of the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Dr. Moalem-Taylor has secured significant research funding including:

• NHMRC Project Grant (APP1162060) - $927,520 (2019-2023)
• NHMRC Ideas Grant (APP1187416) - $732,693.60 (2020-2023)
• UNSW Medicine Seed Grant - $80,000 (2022-2023)
• MS Australia Grant - $250,000 (2023-2025)

Her scientific awards include:

• 2021 Mid-Career Award from the International Society of Neuroimmunology
• 2020 Researcher of the Year Award from the School of Medical Sciences
• 2018 SoMS Citation Classic Award for highly cited papers
• 2018 SoMS Award for Higher Degree Research Supervision
• 2017 UNSW Arc Postgraduate Supervisor Award

Dr. Moalem-Taylor supervises PhD and Honours students and manages a research team focused on neuroimmunology and pain mechanisms. She is also co-convenor of the NEUR3221 Neurophysiology course and serves as Postgraduate Coordinator for the School.