13 July 2004
Physiology Expert Joins Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
Dr Johanna Montgomery, whose research has been pivotal in explaining how connections between cells in the brain change
following brain cell activity, has joined The University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
Dr Montgomery, who has been appointed Senior Lecturer in Physiology, says she is particularly interested in the
mechanisms by which synapses (junctions between nerve cells) can increase and decrease their efficacy, better known as
synaptic plasticity.
A New Zealander, Dr Montgomery has spent the last five years as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Departments of Psychiatry
and Behavioural Sciences, and Molecular and Cellular Physiology at Stanford University, California, where she
investigated the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and the dynamics and modulation of synaptic proteins.
"By combining molecular biology with physiology and imaging, my future research aims include examining the underpinnings
of these molecular interactions and their consequential influence on synaptic function.
"I am very interested in using a multi-technique approach to further understand the molecular basis of both synapse
formation and elimination," says Dr Montgomery.
The recipient of the 2001 Servier Distinguished Young Investigator Award, the highest award for young scientists
presented by the International Union of Physiological Sciences, Dr Montgomery has been described by leading scientists
in America as "a world class talent" and "a leader in the field of synaptic structure and function".
Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Professor Peter Smith says the Faculty is delighted to be able to
attract a scientist of Dr Montgomery's calibre.
"Dr Montgomery's commitment to explaining synaptic structure and function is a fine example of true scholarship and we
are confident she will be a good mentor for budding scientists in our Physiology department. We are particularly pleased
to have recruited a talented New Zealand scientist coming to work back home."
Dr Montgomery's professional affiliations include membership of the International Society for Neuroscience and the
Australian Society for Neuroscience.
ENDS