Our team
Group Leader
Professor Michael Breakspear
I am the group leader of the Systems Neuroscience Group with interests in computational neuroscience and translational neuroimaging. My contributions to the former focus on dynamic models of large-scale brain activity, toolbox development and the detection of nonlinear dynamics in empirical data. My work in translational imaging encompasses healthy ageing, dementia, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, with a focus on connectomics and risk prediction.
I grew up in Sydney and studied medicine, philosophy and mathematics. I undertook early career research training in the School of Physics at the University of Sydney before moving to the School of Psychiatry at UNSW as a mid-career researcher. I formed the Systems Neuroscience Group at UNSW in Sydney in 2004, then moved to QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute from 2009. I relocated to Newcastle in 2019 and established the Systems Neuroscience Group, Newcastle with aspirations to integrate basic methods, bioinformatics and clinical translation with a unique regional Australian character. Our imaging centre is in a beautiful bushland setting on Awabakal country.
In addition to basic research training, I also completed training in psychiatry and nowadays combine my research career with clinical sessions in adult psychiatry. I have an interest in recovery-focussed treatment of mood disorders, psychosis, and addiction. In the past, I have worked in Prison Mental Health and Inner City community psychiatry.
I have a passion for climate science, being rather social, and surfing.
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE & RESEARCH MANAGER
Dr Renate Thienel, PhD
I am a Mid-Career Researcher with a passion for improving health outcomes; I hold a PhD (Science), Master in Professional Psychology, Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, and a BSc (Hons). My research activities span across clinical, cognitive and neuroscientific aspects of health and mental health.
My research focuses on work with clinical and non-clinical participants and spans across methodologies such as self-report surveys, clinical and cognitive assessments, magnetic resonance imaging, pharmacological agents, transcranial direct current stimulation, electroencephalography etc. I have published 56 HERDC research publications including 30 (C1) journal articles, 5 book chapters (1 B1, 1 D1), and 25 conference papers, 1 white paper and several governmental reports reflecting my academic efforts and contributions, with a h-index of 17, and 1111 citations. I have over 10 years of experience working as a mentor and supervisor for domestic and international students including HDR students.
My career grant income is $520,853 (excluding $1,500,000 from AI positions) across category 1, category 3 and internal grants including a prestigious 4 year UoN post-doctoral fellowship. Since 2019, I am the Research Manager of Michael Breakspear’s Systems Neuroscience Group at HMRI’s Imaging Centre where I am coordinating and am involved in the groups various research studies which includes the Newcastle site for the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT).
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW
Dr Megan Campbell, PhD
My previous work focused on the overlapping sensorimotor processes underlying interpersonal interactions, within healthy adult cohorts. By using Bayesian models to explain behavioural and neural datasets I described mechanisms for the context-dependent modulation of automatic imitation responses, a feature of how humans prepare responses during interactions with others. Now my focus has shifted to applying this experience in functional neuroimaging, behavioural paradigms and computational approaches to social-emotional cognition and extending this to clinical populations. In particular, I aim to model dynamic brain networks involved in emotion in order to understand, differentiate and improve diagnosis of mood disorders. ORCID
I recently took up my first postdoctoral position here in the Systems Neuroscience Group, Newcastle. This is a continuation of my slow migration south, having grown up in Far North Queensland where I completed a BPsychHons at JCU Cairns, before moving to Brisbane. There I enrolled in a Masters of Neuroscience at the Queensland Brain Institute fell head-over-heals for the field of cognitive neuroscience, and continued on to obtain my PhD in 2019 at UQ.
DATA SCIENTIST & TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Dr Bryan Paton, PhD
I have a diverse background in computer engineering, philosophy and cognitive neuroscience. I am a nerd at heart and having this broad experience lets me combine all of my interests.
Consciousness & Attention: I am deeply interested in the brain and how perceptual experiences transition from non-conscious to conscious and what are the factors, cognitive, behavioural and neurophysiological involved. I have some experience with binocular rivalry, continuous flash suppression and related paradigms.
Learning under conditions of uncertainty or volatility: I am also interested in learning, in general, especially models of the process where there are sources of noise and/or uncertainty and when these themselves change over time e.g. volatility. I have also been trying to develop novel paradigms to study these processes in a dyadic, social setting.
Computational models: Finally I have in interest in how the brain works, and the methods used to study it, having a long background in EEG, MRI and many other related technologies. By combining these methods of data collection and using computational models of the behavioural and neurophysiological mechanisms involved I hope to gain more insight in these phenomena in both the healthy brain and its pathophysiology including Schizophrenia, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dementia.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW
Dr Anna Behler
Research Interests: With a physics background, I am particularly fascinated by the potential of using advanced statistical techniques and machine learning methods to analyze and interpret neuroimaging data. I plan to leverage computational modeling to gain a deeper understanding of the complex workings of the brain. Aside from my interest in computational neuroimaging, I am fascinated by the potential of eye-tracking as a tool to gain insights into the brain. Having previously utilized videooculography in clinical settings to study Parkinsonism and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, I am now eager to delve deeper into the relationship between eye movements and cognition.
Biography: I completed my M.Sc. in physics at TU Dresden, Germany, followed by a research assistant position. Back then, my research focused on magnetic effects in thin films. Following a career break, I shifted towards education, where I undertook a teaching role and contributed to the development of master-level courses in machine learning. Motivated by my passion for research and the enjoyment I derive from it, I made another career transition and did my PhD at the Medical Centre of Ulm University, Germany, where I used my computational background to improve the reliability of diffusion tensor imaging studies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. I recently took up my first postdoctoral position in the Systems Neuroscience Group, Newcastle.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW
Richa, PhD
Biography: I'm Richa and I am working as a postdoctoral candidate with Professor Michael Breakspear’s group. My encounter with research began in earnest during my Master’s thesis at IIT-Bombay, which involved exploring stochastic resonance in chemical oscillators and I've been fascinated by the broad field of complex dynamical systems since.
The central theme of my PhD thesis has been to explore and characterize the effect of external sensory stimulation on human brainwaves recorded using EEG. I believe in deconstructing a problem to its simplest form and then piece by piece, layering complexities to see the bigger picture emerge. In order to implement this research philosophy, I lean on dynamical systems theory for modeling to complement the EEG recordings and employ tools from statistical physics.
Research Interests: Outside the realm of brainwaves, I have worked with both dynamic and static small-world networks to explore the manifestations of "echo" behavior in complex networks. I have also been exploring other non-linear dynamical phenomena such as stochastic resonance, fractals, and oscillation quenching using both experimental systems as well as numerical models.
Beyond the lab and the world of research, teaching and science communication are very close to my heart and I am always up for a conversation about the brain, non-linear dynamics, teaching or books.
Broad areas of Interest: Neural Mass models, EEG, Neural Field Theory, Networks and complex systems.
INDIGENOUS RESEARCH FELLOW
Dr Guy Cameron
I am a proud Wailwan (Aboriginal) man with a Doctorate of Philosophy (Immunology & Microbiology). My post-doctoral research is focused on Aboriginal ear & immune health, to expand our knowledge on ear disease which disproportionally affect Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander children.
I am one of two research fellows that are co-funded by the National Imaging Facility and Systems Neuroscience Group to foster Indigenous collaboration and ownership in the field of imaging research to improve health and wellbeing participation and outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
Additionally, I am an Indigenous tutor and mentor with the Wollotuka Institute, striving to assist mob with getting equal opportunity.
INDIGENOUS RESEARCH FELLOW
Jennifer Rumbel
I am a Kamilaroi woman with a passion for empowering Aboriginal people and communities. I have undergraduate degrees in Theology and Aboriginal studies with Newcastle University. Currently Jenn is a PhD Candidate in Aboriginal studies with the Wollotuka Institute at Newcastle University looking at the impact of the Catholic Church in the Maitland – Newcastle Diocese, on Aboriginal spirituality, health and wellbeing.
My previous research roles include the Memory Study with the Health Behaviour Research Collaborative at HMRI and Driving Change with the George Institute for Global Health.
I am the Chair of Firstchance Early Childhood Early Intervention Service in Newcastle, a member of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in the Maitland Newcastle Diocese and a member of the Lowitja Institute Members Community. Recently I graduated as a Spiritual Director.
I am one of two research fellows that are co-funded by the National Imaging Facility and Systems Neuroscience Group to foster Indigenous collaboration and ownership in the field of imaging research to improve health and wellbeing participation and outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
PhD CANDIDATE - CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY | PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Caroline Faucher, MProfPsych
Biography: I completed my Master in Professional Psychology at the University of Newcastle in 2021 while working as a research assistant at the lab. I am currently a provisional psychologist and enjoy working with my Golden Retriever Maple, who regularly accompanies me at the lab as a therapy dog (see Maple’s bio below!).
Before entering the world of psychological sciences, I completed a BA at the Université Laval in Quebec, and worked for several years as a journalist and in communication.
Research interests: My PhD focuses on the influence of sleep on cognition and brain health. My research harmonises clinical and neuroscience approaches. Other interests include animal-assisted therapy and perinatal psychology.
PhD CANDIDATE - PSYCHOLOGY
Nikitas Koussis
Research interests: My PhD focuses on the intersection between emotion and cognition in schizophrenia and psychosis, particularly on the computational anatomy of such processes in the brain. My work focuses on using modeling and Bayesian approaches to understand these processes. I utilize task fMRI, diffusion, structural neuroimaging, and behavioral and cognitive paradigms.
Biography: Upon completing a Bachelor of Science at Queensland University of Technology in 2017, I worked at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute as assistant to PI on the Prospective Imaging Study of Ageing; an AQIP grant and several other projects. I am currently completing a PhD at University of Newcastle under Michael Breakspear. In my spare time I write fantasy books and seem to be perpetually fixing up my house.
PhD CANDIDATE - PSYCHIATRY REGISTRAR
Dr Jason Jeganathan, MBBS
Biography: I completed my undergraduate studies and MBBS (Hons Class I) at the University of Sydney. Since 2018, I have been an RANZCP accredited psychiatry trainee. Concurrently, my research interests include network analysis and neuroimaging in bipolar disorder. Currently, I am a PhD student in the lab, investigating emotional inference in psychosis.
Decoding the brain basis of emotion: Is emotion really as simple as smiling when you’re happy, and frowning when you’re angry? I am investigating how the mind combines multimodal information, including seeing, hearing and feeling the outside world, the inner sensation of organs such as the heart and gut, and our previous experiences, to construct the moment-to-moment emotions that we feel. I am using state-of-the-art brain imaging, emotional analysis, and physiological measurements of our inner organs, to uncover the brain basis of emotion.
Affective symptoms of early psychosis: In psychosis, impairments in motivation, enjoyment, and emotional facial expressiveness are the most debilitating symptoms for patients, yet we have no effective treatments for them. I aim to integrate recent advances in neuroimaging and machine learning to find out how the brain basis of emotion goes awry in early psychosis
RESEARCH MANAGER, RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Sarah Sanders, MS
Biography: I completed a Master of Science in animal sciences and nutrition in the United States in 2017. Following this degree I applied my scientific background to the field of medical oncology and worked as a research assistant at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. My research into pre-clinical immunotherapies for pancreatic and colorectal cancer assisted in the opening of a Phase 1 clinical trial at this campus. Following my migration to Australia in 2021, I pivoted to research coordinating and joined the Systems Neuroscience Group. I enjoy making connections with our participants and am intrigued to learn more about how this research can positive impact their lives.
I also work for the University of Newcastle Family Action Centre and enjoy supporting the children with disabilities and their families who attend these retreats. In my free time, I coach ultimate frisbee to children and young adults in the Hunter region, and I am an enthusiastic member of the Newcastle ultimate frisbee community.
CERTIFIED THERAPY DOG
Maple
I love coming to work at the Imaging Centre because I have the privilege of supporting staff and research. My favourite part of my job is getting all of the pats and hearing that I am a good boy.
My human, Caroline, and I graduated as an animal-assisted therapy human-canine clinical team with Therapy Dogs Australia.
