Dr Elysia Sokolenko
Research Officer and Lecturer
School of Biomedicine
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
I completed a PhD at the University of Melbourne in 2019 exploring the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. More specifically, I examined whether there is a causal relationship between disruptions to oscillatory electrical activity in the brain and working memory impairment in the disorder. Through this project, I developed expertise in a number of pre-clinical and laboratory-based skills, including awake in vivo electrophysiology recordings and rodent behavioural testing.
I have since transferred these skills to the clinical context, currently acting as a research coordinator in Adelaide Medical School's Discipline of Psychiatry. I am the local site coordinator for a nation-wide clinical trial assessing whether a novel type of non-invasive brain stimulation could help people on the autism spectrum. For additional details, see the study website www.tmsautism.com.
I have a keen interest in exploring how differences in the electrical activity of the brain underlie the symptoms of psychiatric disorders and the often associated cognitive impairment,.
Research projects available
Title: Does repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation improve social communication (rTMS) in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder?
Project description: This is a nation-wide clinical trial. As well as assessing social communication, neuroimaging, cognitive testing, and electroencephalography (EEG) will be performed to assess the impact of rTMS. Students involved in this project will observe and assist with assessments, complete data entry, and conduct a literature relevant to the project.
Project available for: Third-year research placement, Summer Research Scholarship program.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2021 - ongoing Research coordinator University of Adelaide 2020 - ongoing Lecturer University of Adelaide 2020 - 2021 Research officer University of Adelaide 2020 - ongoing Tutor and course assistant University of Adelaide -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2020 Teaching Award Special Commendation COVID-19 Emergency Teaching Response University of Adelaide Australia 2019 Award Annual Meeting Travel Award International Behavioural Neuroscience Society United States 2016 Scholarship Australian Postgraduate Award/Research Training Program Scholarship University of Melbourne Australia -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2016 - 2020 University of Melbourne Australia PhD (Neuroscience) 2015 - 2015 University of Melbourne Australia Bachelor of Science (Hons) 2010 - 2013 University of Queensland Australia Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) -
Certifications
Date Title Institution name Country 2020 ICH E6 GCP Training Health Translation South Australia Australia 2019 Mental Health First Aid Mental Health First Aid Australia Australia -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2022 Miles, B., Yang, W., Dezsi, G., Sokolenko, E., Gomes, F. M. M., Jupp, B., . . . Jones, N. C. (2022). High sucrose diet does not impact spatial cognition in rats using advanced touchscreen technology. Behavioural Brain Research, 418, 10 pages.
2020 Hudson, M. R., Sokolenko, E., O'Brien, T. J., & Jones, N. C. (2020). NMDA receptors on parvalbumin-positive interneurons and pyramidal neurons both contribute to MK-801 induced gamma oscillatory disturbances: Complex relationships with behaviour. Neurobiology of Disease, 134, 1-13.
Scopus15 WoS16 Europe PMC32020 Sokolenko, E., Nithianantharajah, J., & Jones, N. C. (2020). MK-801 impairs working memory on the Trial-Unique Nonmatch-to-Location test in mice, but this is not exclusively mediated by NMDA receptors on PV+ interneurons or forebrain pyramidal cells. Neuropharmacology, 171, 11 pages.
Scopus7 WoS8 Europe PMC22019 Sokolenko, E., Hudson, M. R., Nithianantharajah, J., & Jones, N. C. (2019). The mGluR₂⁄₃ agonist LY379268 reverses NMDA receptor antagonist effects on cortical gamma oscillations and phase coherence, but not working memory impairments, in mice. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 33(12), 1588-1599.
Scopus12 WoS11 Europe PMC5
Acting course co-coordinator and contributing lecturer 2022:
- Foundations of Human Neuroanatomy (ANAT SC 2006)
- Essentials of Neuroscience (HLTH SC 1001)
Acting course co-coordinator and contributing lecturer 2021:
- Essentials of Neuroscience
- Neurological Diseases (PATHOL 3200)
Contributing lecturer 2021:
- NURSING 1005, 2005, 2008
- HLTH SC 2104
- PATHOL 3101
Course assistant and tutor 2020:
- Foundations of Neuroanatomy (ANAT SC 2006)
- Essentials of Neuroscience
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Other Supervision Activities
Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name 2021 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Polygenic risk for schizophrenia and brain function: an EEG study University of Adelaide Honours Full Time Thomas Eblinghaus 2021 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Using biophysical models to predict patterns of TMS evoked EEG activity University of Adelaide Honours Full Time Jack Stevenson
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2022 - ongoing Member Biological Psychiatry Australia Early Career Researcher Network Biological Psychiatry Australia Australia 2022 - ongoing Member South Australia Neuroscience Alliance South Australia Neuroscience Alliance Australia 2022 - ongoing Member Brain Bee Challenge South Australia Organising Committee Australasian Neuroscience Society Australia 2021 - ongoing Chair Biological Psychiatry Australia Early Career Researcher Network Biological Psychiatry Australia Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles
