I investigate how environmental exposures – particularly stress and bushfire smoke – affect brain health as we age, with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. My research examines how stress hormones and airborne pollutants, both individually and together, interact with the hallmark pathologies of Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia – Amyloid-ß and tau – to disrupt neuronal function. I aim to understand how life stress alters brain biology and whether it sensitises the brain to other environmental insults. By identifying how these exposures drive or worsen dementia-related cellular dysfunction, I hope to uncover new ways to support healthy cognitive aging.
Research keyword: Stress, dementia
About the BEAKER STREET ROVING SCIENTIST PROGRAM
Each August, hundreds of Roving Scientists descend upon Hobart, filling up pubs and chatting to strangers as part of Beaker Street Festival. Discover a new world down the lens of microscope, and joining the least-boring bar conversations you’ve ever heard and these free (the chats – not the drinks) events.
For Scientists, Beaker Street’s Roving Scientist Program offers an excellent outreach, professional development, and networking opportunity. It’s the nerdiest and funnest way to share your research with the public, expand your network, and be inspired by leaders in all sectors of science and science communication.
