Over $1.1 million committed to neurological research across New Zealand
The Neurological Foundation is pleased to announce that funding of $1,154,852 for neurological research, two
postgraduate scholarships, a postdoctoral fellowship, two summer studentships and travel grants has been approved in its
December 2014 grant round. The Neurological Foundation is the primary non-government sponsor of neurological research in
New Zealand.
Neurological Foundation Executive Director Max Ritchie says “This grant round illustrates the depth of brain research in
New Zealand as it continues to build momentum on the world stage. Many of the projects in this round involve
collaborations with leading international research institutions, exemplifying the talent and expertise of our
researchers here. Being able to fund highly impactful research is both pleasing and exciting, and we thank our donors
for their continued commitment as we work towards improving outcomes for the hundreds of thousands of people living with
neurological disease in New Zealand”.
The December grants will fund research projects at the University of Auckland, AUT University, Auckland City Hospital,
Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Otago and Stanford University.
Neurobiologist Dr Robert Munn has been awarded the 2014 Neurological Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. This award will
enable Dr Munn to continue his memory research at Stanford University under the supervision of a leading learning and
memory researcher, Assistant Professor Lisa Giacomo. A University of Otago graduate, Dr Munn’s long-term goal is to gain
a permanent position as an independent researcher at a university in New Zealand. His doctoral advisor at the University
of Otago, Head of Department of Psychology Professor David Bilkey, says “It is wonderful to hear that Rob has received
this award. Support from the Neurological Foundation is so important in assisting in the development of our young
neuroscientists. Rob has always shown great promise and with the support of the Foundation he will be able to develop
new skills that will further his career in neuroscience.”
Professor Bilkey says the project that Dr Munn is working on will provide important new information about how the brain
represents the spatial environment and stores this information in memory. “This is basic research aimed at developing
knowledge about brain function, but it is also relevant to a number of disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, where
one of the symptoms is spatial disorientation. Rob’s work is using cutting edge techniques and the Neurological
Foundation’s support will allow him to develop these skills fully such that he can continue to advance and apply them to
neurological disorders.”
ends