
Associate Professor John Semmler
Associate Professor
School of Biomedicine
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
I lead a research team that is internationally recognised for its excellence in pursuing novel research questions using cutting-edge brain stimulation techniques to examine the neurophysiology of human movement throughout the lifespan. My research attracts Category 1 funding, is regularly published in the top journals in the field, and is highly cited internationally. I have a strong record of successful research supervision and training, which includes mentoring externally funded research fellows, graduating numerous PhD students, and regularly supporting honours and undergraduate placements in the laboratory. I am a highly effective teacher with a strong record of education delivery and leadership, where I shape current educational practices in several disciplines, and contribute to high-level program mapping and curriculum design. I also hold numerous senior administration and leadership roles within the University and international research community, including Discipline Lead in Physiology, School Postgraduate coordinator, and hold senior editorial board responsibilities for 3 leading journals in Neuroscience, Physiology and Exercise Science fields.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
NEUROPHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN MOVEMENT GROUP
I am an experienced neurophysiologist and Director of the Neurophysiology of Human Movement group. Research within this group focuses on the neural mechanisms responsible for changes in human movement throughout the life span. We specialise in the use of brain stimulation techniques to painlessly and non-invasively measure and modify the brain’s control of skeletal muscles under diverse conditions, such as ageing, exercise, training, fatigue and mild traumatic brain injury. The overall goal is to understand how the healthy nervous system functions to control movements in different situations, and how it may adapt in conditions involving neurological or neuromuscular injury.
![]() Neurophysiology of Human Movement Group |
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AVAILABLE PROJECTS
Project 1
Title: BRAIN OSCILLATIONS AND HUMAN MOVEMENT
Description: Motor areas of the brain oscillate when we move, with different oscillations responsible for different aspects of behaviour. Oscillations in the gamma band (30-90 Hz) play a key role in brain plasticity and motor learning that are thought to be driven by inhibitory circuits. This study will use non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to explore the physiological basis and functional significance of this intriguing brain rhythm, and investigate in new ways how it can be manipulated to improve motor behaviour and learning.
Projects available for: Honours and HDR
Location: Helen Mayo Building (Frome Rd)
Research project start: Semester 1 and 2
Special Requirements: None.
Project 2
Title: BRAIN PLASTICITY AND MOTOR FUNCTION IN OLDER ADULTS
Description: Recent studies from our group show that specific brain circuits important for motor system plasticity are altered in older adults. Do changes in these circuits contribute to impaired motor performance and learning in older adults? Can we modify plasticity and learning by strengthening these circuits in older adults? Several studies using brain stimulation and electroencephalography (EEG) in human participants are planned to address these research questions.
Projects available for: Honours and HDR
Location: Helen Mayo Building (Frome Rd)
Research project start: Semester 1 and 2
Special Requirements: None.
Project 3
Title: NEUROPHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE
Description: It is now well accepted that physical activity and exercise is capable of providing benefits to the central nervous system (CNS) that can maintain or enhance brain and motor function. However, it is not known whether different features of the exercise (intensity, duration, type) influence brain function (excitability, connectivity, plasticity), or whether this can be harnessed to improve motor function. Several studies using brain stimulation, electroencephalography (EEG) and motor skill learning will be performed to examine the neural mechanisms that influence brain and motor function with different types of exercise in humans.
Projects available for: Honours and HDR
Location: Helen Mayo Building (Frome Rd)
Research project start: Semester 1 and 2
Special Requirements: None.
Project 4
Title: IMPROVING MOTOR SKILL LEARNING IN HUMANS
Description: The ability to learn new motor skills is a fundamental requirement for participation in modern society, but this ability often deteriorates with neurological injury. Many factors are known to influence motor skill learning even in healthy individuals, such as practice structure, fatigue, handedness, exercise, gender and advancing age. The aim of this project is to explore one or more of these factors in an effort to understand the parameters that produce the optimum conditions for improved motor skill learning in humans.
Projects available for: Undergraduate
Location: Helen Mayo Building (Frome Rd)
Research project start: Semester 1 or 2
Special Requirements: None.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2023 - ongoing Discipline Lead in Physiology The Univeristy of Adelaide 2022 - ongoing University Research Integrity Assessment Officer University of Adelaide 2022 - ongoing Postgraduate Coordinator University of Adelaide 2021 - ongoing Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons Primary Examiner Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) 2015 - ongoing Associate Professor University of Adelaide 2008 - 2014 Senior Lecturer The University of Adelaide 2005 - 2007 Lecturer The University of Adelaide 2003 - 2005 Senior Lecturer Deakin University 1997 - 2002 Postdoctoral Fellow University of Colorado Boulder 1996 - 1997 Research Associate The University of Adelaide -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 1993 - 1997 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD 1992 - 1992 The University of Adelaide Australia B.Sc. (Hons) 1989 - 1991 University of South Australia Australia B. Appl. Sc (Exercise Science) -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Conference Papers
Year Citation 2019 Otieno, L. A., Semmler, J., & Sidhu, S. (2019). Age-related changed in GABA-mediated inhibition with fatiguing single joint exercise.. In Proceedings of the ANS Sensorimotor Control Satellite Meeting. Adelaide. 2011 Trinder, J., Nicholas, C., Heckel, L., Jordan, A., Woods, M., Waloszek, J., . . . Semmler, J. (2011). Common pre-motor drive to genioglossus and tensor palatini motor neurons. In JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH Vol. 20 (pp. 19-20). Sydney, AUSTRALIA: WILEY-BLACKWELL. -
Conference Items
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Preprint
Year Citation 2025 Gamage, N. N., Altheyab, A., Guo, Y., Phillips, B. E., Opie, G. M., Semmler, J. G., . . . Piasecki, M. (2025). Bilateral neuromuscular adaptation to acute unilateral resistance exercise in healthy older adults.
DOI2024 Gamage, N., Liao, W. -Y., Hand, B., Atherton, P., Piasecki, M., Opie, G., & Semmler, J. (2024). Theta-gamma transcranial alternating current stimulation enhances motor skill acquisition in healthy young and older adults.
DOI2024 Liao, W. -Y., Opie, G., Ziemann, U., & Semmler, J. (2024). Modulation of dorsal premotor cortex disrupts neuroplasticity of primary motor cortex in young and older adults.
DOI2022 Sghirripa, S., Semmler, J., & Goldsworthy, M. (2022). Age-Related Changes in Visual Working Memory Consolidation.
DOI
I have received regular support from major funding bodies, where I have been awarded >$3.6 million in Cat 1-3 grants from NIH, ARC and NHMRC funding bodies.
Recent grants include:
2025-2028: ARC Discovery Project (DP250101672). CIA. (JG Semmler, G Opie, U Ziemann) $574,888
Title: Synchronised brain oscillations and motor function in older adults.
2024: Neurosurgical Research Foundation. CIB. (G Opie, JG Semmler) $47,112
Title: Modulating the shape of brain oscillations to drive clinical benefits in Parkinson's disease.
2020-2025: ARC Discovery Project (DP200101009). CIA. (JG Semmler, U Ziemann, G Opie) $297,621
Title: Reconnecting the ageing brain to enhance plasticity and motor learning.
2023: Faculty of Health and Medical Science Research Infrastructure Award. CIB. $74,657
2023: Faculty of Health and Medical Science Research Infrastructure Award. One of 9 CIs. $86,874
2022: University DVCR Small Equipment Support. Sole-CI $10,164
2022: Australian Brain Foundation. CIB. (GM Opie, JG Semmler & N Foo) $40,000
Title: How do changes in brain rhythms contribute to the effects of brain injury?
2022: Faculty of Health and Medical Science Research Infrastructure Award. CIB. $87,303
2021: Faculty of Health and Medical Science Research Infrastructure Award. CIB. $46,000
2021: Faculty of Health and Medical Science Research Infrastructure Award. One of 13 CIs $104,000
2021: AMS/Biomedicine Small Equipment Grant Award. CIA. $4,650
2019: Faculty of Health and Medical Science Research Infrastructure Award. CIB. $47,652
2015-2019: ARC Discovery Project (DP150100930). CIA. (JG Semmler, MC Ridding, U Ziemann) $266,300
Title: Boosting brain plasticity and motor function in older adults
I have developed and transformed a wide variety of courses in Health Sciences (BHMS), Medicine (MBBS/BMD) and Dentistry (BDS). Recent teaching includes significant contributions to Physiology 2A (200-330 BHMS students, 2014-current), Neuromotor Control (65-130 BHMS students, 2014-current), Dental Science and Practice I and II (~80 BDS students, 2008-current), Foundations of Medicine (~170 MBBS/BMD students), and Medical Studies 2A (~165 MBBS/BMD students). My physiology teaching is internationally recognised in Dentistry by an appointment as a Physiology Examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS). I also make contributions at a Program level through my role as an Academic Transition Panel member/Program Champion for Health (Human Performance) and Course Designer in the Health Tranche for the new Adelaide University.
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2025 Principal Supervisor Synchronised brain oscillations and motor function Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Noah Jared Tilley 2024 Principal Supervisor Targeting brain oscillations for human movement Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Amy Charlotte Meadows 2023 Co-Supervisor Investigating neuronal oscillations and motor function in older adults Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Ekaterina Voevodina 2022 Co-Supervisor Investigating the role of neuronal oscillatory interactions within the physiological and functional effects of mTBI Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Emily Moore 2021 Principal Supervisor Interventions to manipulate neuroplasticity in ageing Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mrs Nishadi Nivanthika Gamage -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2021 - 2024 Principal Supervisor MODULATING CORTICAL PLASTICITY AND CONNECTIVITY TO IMPROVE MOTOR LEARNING IN OLDER ADULTS Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Wei-Yeh Merrick Liao 2019 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Brain Rhythms and Working Memory in Healthy Ageing Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Sabrina Sghirripa 2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Impact of Fatiguing Exercise on Corticospinal Excitability and Motor Performance in Young and Older Adults Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Lavender Achieng Otieno 2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Motor Cortex Plasticity and Skill Acquisition in Endurance-Trained Athletes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Brodie Hand 2012 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Investigating Intracortical Inhibitory Mechanisms Contributing to Age-related Deficits in Motor Function Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr George McKenzie Opie 2010 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Human Motor Cortex Plasticity Induction is Influenced by Multiple Factors Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr John Cirillo 2006 - 2008 Co-Supervisor High Protein Dietary Patterns and Type 2 Diabetes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Karma Louise Pearce 2006 - 2010 Principal Supervisor Motor Unit Activity and Neuromuscular Function after Exercise-Induced Damage to Elbow Flexor Muscles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Tamara Dartnall
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2023 - ongoing Member School of Biomedicine Executive Committee The Univeristy of Adelaide Australia 2020 - ongoing Member Adelaide Medical School Research Committee The University of Adelaide Australia 2013 - 2014 Chair Human Research Ethics Committee University of Adelaide Australia 2006 - 2014 Member Human Research Ethics Committee University of Adelaide - -
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2023 - ongoing Member Australasian Cognitive Neurosicence Society Australia 2018 - ongoing Member Australasian Brain Stimulation Society Australia 2004 - 2015 Member American Physiological Society United States 2004 - 2004 Member Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology United States 1999 - 2011 Member American College of Sports Medicine United States 1998 - 2019 Member Society for Neuroscience United States 1992 - 1997 Member Australian Physiological and Pharmacological Society Australia 1992 - ongoing Member Australasian Neuroscience Society Australia -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2024 - ongoing Associate Editor Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience N/A Switzerland 2020 - ongoing Board Member Experimental Brain Research - Germany 2006 - ongoing Board Member Journal of Applied Physiology - United States
Connect With Me
External Profiles