معرفی
Professor Thomas Burne is a leading researcher in biological psychiatry and neuroscience at the University of Queensland. As a Professorial Research Fellow and Group Leader at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), his work focuses on understanding the biological basis of neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, particularly exploring the impact of developmental and adult vitamin D deficiency on brain function and behavior. He has supervised over 17 PhD students and 28 honours students, contributing to over $8 million in research funding. His research integrates behavioral neuroscience, molecular biology, and clinical studies to investigate non-genetic risk factors such as paternal age and environmental influences.
His research interests span developmental neuroscience, vitamin D's role in brain development, psychopharmacology, and translational models of neuropsychiatric conditions. Notable contributions include establishing rodent models to study cognitive deficits and developing novel behavioral assessment tools. Collaborations with Professors John McGrath and Darryl Eyles have advanced multidisciplinary research on schizophrenia's neurobiological mechanisms.
Recent articles highlight work on vitamin D's effects on synaptic plasticity, dopamine systems, and cognitive flexibility, alongside innovative approaches like anti-cocaine vaccines. Burne's team has also explored sex-specific neural responses and the role of epigenetic modifiers in neurodevelopmental disorders.
He holds leadership roles in organizations like Biological Psychiatry Australia and contributes to committees such as the NHMRC Animal Welfare Committee. His lab's infrastructure supports advanced behavioral and neuroimaging techniques, enhancing translational research potential.
