Newybrains

30/03/2026

WE ARE RECRUITING!🧠 Our new research study, ABC2, will be combining both psychology and neuroscience to measure thinking and brain health using a range of methods:

- physiological tasks measure problem solving, attention and memory

- we measure brain activity using Electroencephalogram (EEG) while you’re paying attention to a task

- by taking a picture of the structure of your brain and its connections using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

- and by using a novel method of measurement which assesses the health of the brain’s arteries called Optical Brain Imaging

Together, these measures provide unprecedented insight into brain structural and functional health.

The ABC2 Study wants to explore how cognitive training and physical activity can help protect our brain from the effects of ageing. We are looking for people aged 50-80 years to help us to this.

For more information, contact the ABC2 Team (Jodie 0473 306 875, abcstudy@newcastle.edu.au).

15/10/2025

A great turn out today out today for our first OCD Awareness Walk A big thank you to those who came along to participate, to our volunteers for giving their time and to the organisers who brought together this important event in record time! We hope to see this event grow each year to shine a light on the important OCD research being undertaken at the University and to recognise the reality for those living with OCD

15/10/2025

Our OCD Awareness Walk event in full swing at

This morning began with an Educational Talk allowing our participants to learn what OCD really is and how we can advocate for people living with OCD.
Followed by the Awareness Walk - Step into a symbolic journey designed to build empathy and understanding of what it is to live with OCD.

This even was open to students, staff, and community members.

Brought to you by the School of Biomedical Science and Pharmacy (@ The University of Newcastle) in partnership with the HMRI Brain Neuromodulation Research Program as part of OCD Awareness Week, a global initiative led by the International OCD Foundation to reduce stigma and raise awareness about obsessive-compulsive disorder. We hope to see this event grow in the coming years to create further awareness

14/10/2025

Please join us on campus for the OCD Awareness Walk tomorrow, Wednesday 15th October. Details below.

The Walk
Join us for a powerful and interactive event to raise awareness about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Together, we’ll build understanding, reduce stigma, and show support for those living with OCD.

What's On
• Educational Talk (10:30am) – Learn what OCD really is and how we can advocate for people living with OCD.
• Awareness Walk (11:00am) – Step into a symbolic journey designed to build empathy and understanding of what it is to live with OCD.

Event Details
• Wednesday 15 October 2025, 10:30am – 12:30pm
• Life Science Theatre, Callaghan Campus
• Free to attend | Optional donations to the International OCD Foundation

All are welcome — students, staff, and community members.

This event is brought to you by the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy in partnership with the HMRI Brain Neuromodulation Research Program as part of OCD Awareness Week, a global initiative led by the International OCD Foundation to reduce stigma and raise awareness about obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Visit newcastle.edu.au/ocd-walk-2025 for more information and to register.

As part of international obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) awareness Week, the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy at the University of Newcastle, in partnership with the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and the HMRI Brain Neuromodulation Research Program, is hosting a unique event to b...

18/09/2025

26/08/2025

Associate Professor Doug Smith, one of the programs neurobiology researchers, delivered an insightful presentation on dementia research at Elermore Glen Retirement Village earlier this month.

Located in Elermore Vale, Elermore Glen is home to 112 residents aged 55 and over. Each year, the community hosts a Tombola for Charity, where residents vote to support one of five nominated causes. This year, dementia research received the highest number of votes.

"Dementia seems to be very prevalent in our age demographic. It has either touched a family member or we all know someone who is affected, so it makes us very aware of the struggle some people are going through." - Elermore Glen Resident.

Attendees were extremely impressed by Professor Smith’s clear and compassionate explanation of how dementia impacts the brain. He also shared practical strategies to maintain brain health, including staying physically active, engaging in puzzles, and maintaining social connections.

The residents chose to support the Hunter Medical Research Institute, ensuring that the funds raised would stay in the Hunter region to support dementia research at The University of Newcastle, Australia

Thanks to their generosity and a wonderful afternoon tea, the residents raised an incredible $5,000.

18/02/2025

17/02/2025

Introducing our February 2025 featured member, Gabrielle Martin

12/12/2024

The Brain Neuromodulation Research Program team would like to wish everyone a safe & wonderful Christmas! 2024 has been a big year for us with many wonderful member and student achievements and a calendar full of program events!
We now look forward to what 2025 will bring!

We hope you all have a well deserved break and enjoy celebrating the silly season with family and friends 🎅🤶🎄

03/12/2024

The Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society (ACNS) Conference, hosted by the was held in Newcastle from the 25th - 29th November 2024

The conference featured three thematic streams, each designed to explore critical areas where cognitive neuroscience can make significant contributions:
1. AI and the Brain – Adversaries or Allies?
2. Optimising Human Performance by Partnering with Defence
3. Healthy Cognitive Pathways

The conference included a comprehensive program featuring:
✏️ National & international keynote speakers
✏️ Workshops & symposia
✏️ Open oral & poster presentations
✏️ Themed sessions related to the three thematic streams

We had great representation at this event from the following program members
Dr. Anna Behler - Organising Committee & Symposium Chair
🔹 Workshop Presentation: EEG and fMRI: Measuring brain activity at different spatio-temporal scales
🔹 Symposium Presentation: Reading or Viewing: The trade-off of visual attention in captioned movies
🔹 Open Talk: The role of traveling waves in cortico-hippocampal communication

Professor Stephan Chalup
🔹 Poster: Towards expanding human visual understanding of the essential structure of space to four dimensions using artificial neural networks

Caroline Faucher
🔹 Open Talk: Dog-assisted intervention to reduce scanxiety and improve MRI quality

Dr Belinda Liddell
🔹 Fast Talk: The neural impact of attachment priming on network connectivity during social exclusion: A pilot fMRI study with resettled refugees

Dr Bryan Paton
🔹 Workshop Presentation: EEG and fMRI: Measuring brain activity at different spatio-temporal scales.
🔹 Open Talk: Enhanced brain MR imaging after cochlear implantation

Dr Richa Phogat
🔹 Open Talk: Biophysical modeling of cortical-hippocampal interactions

22/11/2024

That’s a wrap! Such a great day of presentations from our emerging researchers, guest speaker and well-being workshop. We hope all our attendees found value in todays event.

22/11/2024

2024 Emerging Researcher Conference - Guest speaker Dr Yeka Aponte and two of our emerging researcher presenters