Matilde Balbi

Dr. Matilde Balbi is a Senior Research Fellow at the Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from Ludwig Maximilians University (Munich, Germany) and completed postdoctoral training at the University of British Columbia (Canada), supported by fellowships from the Leducq Foundation, CPSR, and MSFHR. Her research focuses on stroke recovery, neurovascular mechanisms, and neurodegenerative diseases, leveraging imaging techniques and brain stimulation in rodent models.

Education:

• Bachelor and Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology (University of Naples, Italy)
• PhD in Neuroscience (Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany)

Research Interests:

Dr. Balbi's work centers on understanding cerebral blood flow dynamics in health and disease, particularly in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. She investigates neuromodulation strategies (e.g., gamma oscillations, optogenetics) to enhance recovery. Her lab combines advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and closed-loop approaches to study neurovascular coupling and synaptic plasticity.

Funding & Grants:

• Current: NHMRC IDEAS Grant (2023–2027) for cortical sensorimotor control in stroke recovery
• Past: Brain Foundation Grant, MNDRA Grant, Bionics Queensland Challenge, and U21 Health Sciences Fund

Supervision:

Available for PhD supervision. Current research topics include stress modulation in stroke recovery and AI-driven neuronal connectivity analysis. Completed projects include visual stimulation effects on neurovascular reactivity in stroke models.

Labs & Teams:

Leads her own laboratory at the Queensland Brain Institute, focusing on translational neuroscience and stroke recovery innovations.