Annabel Sorby-Adams
School of Biomedicine
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Dr Annabel Sorby-Adams is a Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Biomedicine and concurrent Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University and the Massachusetts General Hospital whose research seeks to identify novel therapeutic targets and technologies to improve the management of stroke.
Annabel completed her PhD in Medicine at the University of Adelaide in 2021, with her doctoral research awarded the Doctoral Medal and a Deans Commendation for Research Excellence.
She commenced her first postdoctoral role at the University of Cambridge in January 2021 investigating the mechanisms underlying reperfusion injury post-stroke. In May 2022 she commenced her current role at Harvard University and the Massachusetts General Hospital on a Fulbright Fellowship to validate the efficacy of low field MRI in stroke diagnosis (Hyperfine Inc). Through ongoing affiliations with the University of Adelaide, University of Cambridge, and Harvard University, Annabel's research seeks to establish collaborative networks and advance international stroke research.
Research Overview
Every 2 seconds someone in the world suffers a stroke. One third of individuals affected will die and another third will be left permanently disabled as a result. The lasting effect of stroke on individuals and those close to them is devastating, impeding a survivor’s ability to walk, talk and see, while significantly compromising their mental health, wellbeing, and independence. Despite improvements in disease prevention and management, accumulating risk factors together with an ageing population contribute to an increasing lifetime risk. Given stroke is the second leading cause of death and leading cause of adult neurological disability, this is a significant cause for concern.
Ischaemic stroke, the most prevalent subtype, arises due to obstruction of vital oxygen-and nutrient-supplying blood to neuronal tissue, initiating a cascade of events ultimately resulting in cell death. Current treatments for ischaemic stroke are predicated upon recanalisation of the occluded vessel, with more brain tissue and subsequent function able to be salvaged if the stroke is detected and treatment is received expeditiously. However, whilst recanalisation can prove beneficial, the restoration of blood flow can paradoxically worsen injury, termed ischaemic reperfusion (I/R) injury. During I/R, reinstatement of oxygen to brain tissue initiates a process termed reverse electron transport, leading to a burst in reactive oxygen species, causing breakdown of intracellular structures including the plasma membrane, proteins, and DNA, exacerbating cell death.
My research focuses on the the mechanisms that underlie I/R injury post-stroke, from the mechanisms which take place at a cellular level, to their ultimate consequences, such as the development of brain swelling and subsequent rise in intracranial pressure. Using appropriate pre-clinical models, and with a cross-institutional approach between the University of Adelaide and Cambridge University, my research seeks to identify promising targets and develop new treatment strategies to improve the treatment of stroke.
Available Projects
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2021 - ongoing Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Cambridge 2021 - ongoing Visiting Research Fellow The University of Adelaide 2019 - 2020 Research Assistant Cambridge Univeristy 2018 - 2020 Guest Lecturer and Tutor Univerisity of South Australia 2016 - ongoing Guest Lecturer and Tutor The University of Adelaide -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2022 Award Fulbright Future Postdoctoral Fellowship The Fulbright Comission Australia - 2021 Award Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence The University of Adelaide Australia - 2020 Award Elizabeth Penfold Simpson Award Brain Foundation Australia - 2019 Award NIHR Stroke Research Workshop; Best Oral Presentation National Institute of Health Research United Kingdom - 2019 Award Channel 9 Young Achiever Award; Science and Technology Finalist Seven News Australia - 2018 Award Klaus Reymann Young Scientist Award 10th International Symposium on Neuroprotection and Neurorepair Germany - 2018 Award Hans-Jürgen and Marianne Ohff Research Grant The University of Adelaide Australia - 2018 Achievement Australian Institute of Policy and Science CSL Florey Next Generation Award; University Finalist The University of Adelaide Australia - 2018 Award Australian Society for Medical Research; People's Choice Award Australian Society for Medical Research Australia - 2017 Award Florey Medical Research Foundation CMAX Prize; Best Poster The University of Adelaide Australia - 2016 Award Australasian Neuroscience Society Travel Award Australasian Neuroscience Society Inc - - 2016 Scholarship Australian Postgraduate Award The University of Adelaide - - 2016 Scholarship Peter Couche Foundation Supplementary Scholarship The Peter Couche Foundation Australia - 2015 Award Highest Aggregate Grade in Major: Pathology (School of Medicine) The University of Adelaide Australia - 2015 Award Highest Aggregate Grade in Subject: Essentials of Pathology (School of Medicine) The University of Adelaide Australia - 2015 Award Highest Aggregate Grade in Subject: Integrative Physiology (School of Medicine) The University of Adelaide Australia - 2015 Award Bachelor of Health Sciences, Executive Dean's Certificate of Merit The University of Adelaide Australia - -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2016 - 2021 University of Adelaide Australia PhD in Medicine (Neuroscience) 2015 - 2015 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) 2011 - 2014 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Sciences -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2024 Sorby-Adams, A. J., Marian, O. C., Bilecki, I. M., Elms, L. E., Yassi, N., Hood, R. J., . . . Turner, R. J. (2024). NK1 tachykinin receptor antagonist treatment reduces cerebral edema and intracranial pressure in an ovine model of ischemic stroke. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, 1-15.
2024 Ham, A. S., Hacker, C. T., Guo, J., Sorby-Adams, A., Kimberly, W. T., & Mateen, F. J. (2024). Feasibility and tolerability of portable, low-field brain MRI for patients with multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 85, 105515.
2023 Mottahedin, A., Prag, H. A., Dannhorn, A., Mair, R., Schmidt, C., Yang, M., . . . Krieg, T. (2023). Targeting succinate metabolism to decrease brain injury upon mechanical thrombectomy treatment of ischemic stroke. Redox Biology, 59, 102600.
Scopus7 Europe PMC42023 Sorby-Adams, A. J., Marian, O. C., Bilecki, I. M., Elms, L. E., Camargo, J., Hall, K., . . . Jones, C. F. (2023). Neurological scoring and gait kinematics to assess functional outcome in an ovine model of ischaemic stroke. Frontiers in Neurology, 14, 20 pages.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12023 Kimberly, W. T., Sorby-Adams, A. J., Webb, A. G., Wu, E. X., Beekman, R., Bowry, R., . . . Sheth, K. N. (2023). Brain imaging with portable low-field MRI.. Nature reviews bioengineering, 1(9), 617-630.
Europe PMC22023 Mazurek, M. H., Parasuram, N. R., Peng, T. J., Beekman, R., Yadlapalli, V., Sorby-Adams, A. J., . . . Sheth, K. N. (2023). Detection of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Using Low-Field, Portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Stroke. Stroke, 54(11), 2832-2841.
Scopus22021 Sorby-Adams, A. J., Schneider, W. T., Goncalves, R. P., Knolle, F., & Morton, A. J. (2021). Measuring executive function in sheep (Ovis aries) using visual stimuli in a semi-automated operant system. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 351, 10 pages.
Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC12021 Sorby-Adams, A. J., Learoyd, A. E., Bath, P. M., Burrows, F., Farr, T. D., Leonard, A. V., . . . Trueman, R. C. (2021). Glyceryl trinitrate for the treatment of ischaemic stroke: Determining efficacy in rodent and ovine species for enhanced clinical translation. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, 41(12), 0271678X2110189.
Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC32019 Sorby-Adams, A. J., Leonard, A., Elms, L. E., Marian, O. C., Hoving, J. W., Yassi, N., . . . Turner, R. J. (2019). Determining the temporal profile of intracranial pressure changes following transient stroke in an ovine model. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13(JUL), 587-1-587-16.
Scopus11 WoS10 Europe PMC82019 Sorby-Adams, A. J., Leonard, A., Hoving, J. W., Yassi, N., Vink, R., Wells, A. J., & Turner, R. J. (2019). NK1-r antagonist treatment comparable to decompressive craniectomy in reducing intracranial pressure following stroke. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13(JUL), 681-1-681-12.
Scopus12 WoS10 Europe PMC82018 Sorby-Adams, A., Vink, R., & Turner, R. (2018). Large animal models of stroke and traumatic brain injury as translational tools. American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 315(2), 165-190.
Scopus67 WoS59 Europe PMC462017 Sorby-Adams, A., Marcoionni, A., Dempsey, E., Woenig, J., & Turner, R. (2017). The role of neurogenic inflammation in blood-brain barrier disruption and development of cerebral oedema following acute central nervous system (CNS) injury. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(8), 24 pages.
Scopus90 WoS76 Europe PMC48 -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2017 Sorby-Adams, A., Leonard, A., Thornton, E., Hunter, D., & Turner, R. (2017). Delayed NK1 tachykinin receptor antagonist treatment reduces ICP following stroke in an Ovine model. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM. Int Soc Cerebral Blood Flow & Metab, Berlin, GERMANY: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2015 Sorby-Adams, A. J. (2015). Determining the temporal profile of cerebral oedema and elevated intracranial pressure following transient Ovine MCA occlusion. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Annual Neurotrauma Forum.
Scholarships
| Year | Source | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Peter Couche Foundation Supplementary Scholarship | $33,000 |
| 2016 | Australian Postgraduate Award | $98,000 |
Overview
Since 2014 I have actively taught undergraduate courses at the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia. I am passionate about engaging young STEM learners, with a particular interest in neuroscience and human biology. A full summary of course contributions are provided below.
Medicine and Medical Sciences
— Tutor Human Anatomy and Physiology 1B (HLTH SC 1002)
— Tutor Human Anatomy and Physiology 1A (HLTH SC 1002)
— Lecturer, Tutor and Marker Essentials of Neuroscience (HLTH SC 1001)
— Lecturer and Tutor Neurological Diseases (PATHOL 3200)
— Lecturer, Tutor, Demonstrator Essentials of Pathology (PATHOL 3101)
— Tutor and Demonstrator Foundations of Human Neuroanatomy (ANAT SC 2006)
— Tutor Create, Communicate, Connect in Health Sciences (HLTH SC 1002)
— Tutor and Demonstrator Functional Human Neuroanatomy (ANAT SC 3103)
— Demonstrator Cells, Tissues and Development II (ANAT SC 2109)
Nursing
— Tutor Biology of Human Disease II (NURSING 2008)
— Marker Biology of Human Disease I (NURSING 2005)
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2020 - ongoing Representative Stroke Coalition of Preclinical Researchers Engagement Committee Stroke Coalition of Preclinical Researchers (Stroke CORE) Australia 2019 - ongoing Treasurer Stroke Society of Australasia Emerging Scientists and Clinicans Special Interest Group Stroke Society of Australiasia Australia -
Presentation
Date Topic Presented at Institution Country 2019 - ongoing Developing a Porcine Survival Model of Thoracic Contusion Spinal Cord Injury - Adelaide Spinal Research Symposium - 2018 - ongoing Methodology for Measuring Intrathecal Pressure Changes Following Spinal Cord Injury - Australian Neurotrauma Workshop -
Connect With Me
External Profiles
