Dr John Cirillo
Lecturer
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science
College of Health
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
I am a Lecturer in the Discipline of Physiology. I have completed several postdoctoral fellowships abroad, having been awarded the Paralyzed Veterans of America Research Foundation Fellowship (University of Pittsburgh, USA) and Aotearoa Research Fellowship (University of Auckland, New Zealand). My research interest is centered around brain function and motor learning with advancing age and after neurological insult, such as stroke. My research specialisation is in neural plasticity, neurophysiology, and neurorehabilitation in humans relevant to retention and recovery of movement capability. I routinely use non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate questions related to my research specialisation and interest.
My research has focussed primarily on human movement and factors that influence neuroplasticity in human motor cortex. Neuroplasticity is important in learning and memory, and also recovery from various central nervous system injuries. Research within the Neurophysiology of Human Movement Laboratory uses non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to better understand corticospinal function. Plasticity of the motor cortex using non-invasive experimental protocols and motor training protocols are also applied to investigate mechanisms of neuroplasticity in humans. The overall goal is to better understand how voluntary movement is generated and what mechanisms have important implications in motor recovery in humans following neurological insult. Ultimately, our findings aim to support the development of novel and more effective therapeutic interventions after injury.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 - 2023 | Neurophysiology Scientist | Neurophysiology Services Australia |
| 2015 - 2023 | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | University of Auckland |
| 2012 - 2015 | Postdoctoral Scholar | University of Pittsburgh |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Fellowship | Aotearoa Research Fellowship | University of Auckland | New Zealand | $360,000 (NZD) |
| 2014 | Research Award | Fritz Krauth Memorial Award | University of Pittsburgh | United States | - |
| 2014 | Fellowship | Paralyzed Veterans of America Research Foundation Fellowship | University of Pittsburgh | United States | $98,860 (USD) |
| 2012 | Distinction | Dean’s Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence | University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2009 | Award | Sir Grafton Elliot-Smith | University of Adelaide | Australia | $260 (AUD) |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | University of Adelaide | Australia | PhD |
| 2005 | University of Adelaide | Australia | B.Hlth.Sc (Hons) |
| 2004 | University of Adelaide | Australia | B.Hlth.Sc |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Shanks, M. J., Cirillo, J., Stinear, C. M., & Byblow, W. D. (2025). A novel TMS framework for assessing neurophysiological recovery at the subacute stage after stroke. Clinical Neurophysiology, 171, 82-94. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2025 | Liao, W. -Y., Hand, B. J., Cirillo, J., Sasaki, R., Opie, G. M., Goldsworthy, M. R., & Semmler, J. G. (2025). Gamma Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Has Frequency-Dependent Effects on Human Motor Cortex Plasticity Induced by Theta-Burst Stimulation. The European Journal of Neuroscience, 61(3), e70018-1-e70018-12. Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2 |
| 2025 | Cirillo, J., Ward, C. R., Gant, N., Reading, S. A., Ren, A., & Byblow, W. D. (2025). Modulation of primary motor cortex after experimentally induced and use-dependent plasticity in young and older adults.. Exp Brain Res, 243(7), 159. |
| 2025 | Cirillo, J., Hand, B. J., Liao, W. -Y., Opie, G. M., Sasaki, R., & Semmler, J. (2025). Influence of gamma transcranial alternating current stimulation frequency and intensity on motor cortex excitability in young and older adults. Journal of Neurophysiology, 134(2), 619-627. |
| 2024 | Nieuwenhuys, A., Wadsley, C. G., Sullivan, R., Cirillo, J., & Byblow, W. D. (2024). Tired and out of control? Effects of total and partial sleep deprivation on response inhibition under threat and no-threat conditions.. Sleep, 48(3), zsae275. Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1 |
| 2023 | Shanks, M. J., Cirillo, J., Stinear, C. M., & Byblow, W. D. (2023). Reliability of a TMS-derived threshold matrix of corticomotor function. Experimental Brain Research, 241(11-12), 2829-2843. Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC2 |
| 2023 | Wadsley, C. G., Cirillo, J., Nieuwenhuys, A., & Byblow, W. D. (2023). A global pause generates nonselective response inhibition during selective stopping. Cerebral Cortex, 33(17), 9729-9740. Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC17 |
| 2023 | Wadsley, C. G., Cirillo, J., Nieuwenhuys, A., & Byblow, W. D. (2023). Proactive Interhemispheric Disinhibition Supports Response Preparation during Selective Stopping. The Journal of Neuroscience, 43(6), 1008-1017. Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC12 |
| 2023 | Wadsley, C. G., Cirillo, J., Nieuwenhuys, A., & Byblow, W. D. (2023). Comparing anticipatory and stop-signal response inhibition with a novel, open-source selective stopping toolbox. Experimental Brain Research, 241(2), 601-613. Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC9 |
| 2022 | Ho, K., Cirillo, J., Ren, A., & Byblow, W. D. (2022). Intracortical facilitation and inhibition in human primary motor cortex during motor skill acquisition. Experimental Brain Research, 240(12), 3289-3304. Scopus10 WoS9 Europe PMC12 |
| 2022 | Wadsley, C. G., Cirillo, J., Nieuwenhuys, A., & Byblow, W. D. (2022). Stopping Interference in Response Inhibition: Behavioral and Neural Signatures of Selective Stopping. Journal of Neuroscience, 42(2), 156-165. Scopus20 WoS20 Europe PMC23 |
| 2022 | Wadsley, C. G., Cirillo, J., Nieuwenhuys, A., & Byblow, W. D. (2022). Decoupling countermands nonselective response inhibition during selective stopping. Journal of Neurophysiology, 127(1), 188-203. Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC8 |
| 2021 | Cirillo, J. (2021). Physical activity, motor performance and skill learning: a focus on primary motor cortex in healthy aging. Experimental Brain Research, 239(12), 3431-3438. Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC9 |
| 2020 | Cirillo, J., Mooney, R. A., Ackerley, S. J., Alan Barber, P., Borges, V. M., Clarkson, A. N., . . . Byblow, W. D. (2020). Neurochemical balance and inhibition at the subacute stage after stroke. Journal of Neurophysiology, 123(5), 1775-1790. Scopus19 WoS17 Europe PMC17 |
| 2020 | Mooney, R. A., Cirillo, J., Stinear, C. M., & Byblow, W. D. (2020). Neurophysiology of motor skill learning in chronic stroke. Clinical Neurophysiology, 131(4), 791-798. Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC8 |
| 2020 | Cirillo, J., Semmler, J. G., Mooney, R. A., & Byblow, W. D. (2020). Primary motor cortex function and motor skill acquisition: insights from threshold-hunting TMS. Experimental Brain Research, 238(7-8), 1745-1757. Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC11 |
| 2019 | Mooney, R. A., Cirillo, J., & Byblow, W. D. (2019). Neurophysiological mechanisms underlying motor skill learning in young and older adults. Experimental Brain Research, 237(9), 2331-2344. Scopus36 WoS35 Europe PMC28 |
| 2019 | Wadsley, C. G., Cirillo, J., & Byblow, W. D. (2019). Between-hand coupling during response inhibition. Journal of Neurophysiology, 122(4), 1357-1366. Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC14 |
| 2019 | Trudgen, A., Cirillo, J., & Byblow, W. D. (2019). Somatosensory and transcranial direct current stimulation effects on manual dexterity and motor cortex function: A metaplasticity study. Brain Stimulation, 12(4), 938-947. Scopus6 WoS5 Europe PMC6 |
| 2019 | Srzich, A. J., Cirillo, J., Stinear, J. W., Coxon, J. P., McMorland, A. J. C., & Anson, J. G. (2019). Does hypnotic susceptibility influence information processing speed and motor cortical preparatory activity?. Neuropsychologia, 129, 179-190. Scopus10 WoS8 Europe PMC8 |
| 2019 | Mooney, R. A., Ackerley, S. J., Rajeswaran, D. K., Cirillo, J., Barber, P. A., Stinear, C. M., & Byblow, W. D. (2019). The Influence of Primary Motor Cortex Inhibition on Upper Limb Impairment and Function in Chronic Stroke: A Multimodal Study. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 33(2), 130-140. Scopus19 WoS19 Europe PMC16 |
| 2018 | Mooney, R. A., Cirillo, J., & Byblow, W. D. (2018). Adaptive threshold hunting reveals differences in interhemispheric inhibition between young and older adults. European Journal of Neuroscience, 48(5), 2247-2258. Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC9 |
| 2018 | Mooney, R. A., Cirillo, J., & Byblow, W. D. (2018). Adaptive threshold hunting for the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on primary motor cortex inhibition. Experimental Brain Research, 236(6), 1651-1663. Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC8 |
| 2018 | Cirillo, J., Cowie, M. J., Macdonald, H. J., & Byblow, W. D. (2018). Response inhibition activates distinct motor cortical inhibitory processes. Journal of Neurophysiology, 119(3), 877-886. Scopus26 WoS28 Europe PMC27 |
| 2018 | Opie, G., Cirillo, J., & Semmler, J. (2018). Age-related changes in late I-waves influence motor cortex plasticity induction in older adults. The Journal of physiology, 13(13), 2597-2609. Scopus35 WoS34 Europe PMC32 |
| 2018 | Cirillo, J., Semmler, J., Mooney, R., & Byblow, W. (2018). Conventional or threshold-hunting TMS? A tale of two SICIs. Brain Stimulation, 11(6), 1296-1305. Scopus22 WoS21 Europe PMC20 |
| 2017 | Opie, G. M., & Cirillo, J. (2017). Commentary: Preconditioning tDCS facilitates subsequent tDCS effect on skill acquisition in older adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9(MAR), 3 pages. Scopus1 WoS2 Europe PMC1 |
| 2017 | Cirillo, J., Finch, J. B., & Anson, J. G. (2017). The impact of physical activity on motor preparation in young adults. Neuroscience Letters, 638, 196-203. Scopus10 WoS12 Europe PMC8 |
| 2017 | Mooney, R. A., Cirillo, J., & Byblow, W. D. (2017). GABA and primary motor cortex inhibition in young and older adults: A multimodal reliability study. Journal of Neurophysiology, 118(1), 425-433. Scopus61 WoS60 Europe PMC53 |
| 2016 | Cirillo, J., & Byblow, W. D. (2016). Threshold tracking primary motor cortex inhibition: the influence of current direction. European Journal of Neuroscience, 44(8), 2614-2621. Scopus38 WoS39 Europe PMC36 |
| 2016 | Cirillo, J., Calabro, F. J., & Perez, M. A. (2016). Impaired Organization of Paired-Pulse TMS-Induced I-Waves After Human Spinal Cord Injury. Cerebral Cortex, 26(5), 2167-2177. Scopus45 WoS45 Europe PMC44 |
| 2016 | Mooney, R. A., Coxon, J. P., Cirillo, J., Glenny, H., Gant, N., & Byblow, W. D. (2016). Acute aerobic exercise modulates primary motor cortex inhibition. Experimental Brain Research, 234(12), 3669-3676. Scopus60 WoS57 Europe PMC52 |
| 2016 | Cowie, M. J., MacDonald, H. J., Cirillo, J., & Byblow, W. D. (2016). Proactive modulation of long-interval intracortical inhibition during response inhibition. Journal of Neurophysiology, 116(2), 859-867. Scopus25 WoS26 Europe PMC23 |
| 2016 | Srzich, A. J., Byblow, W. D., Stinear, J. W., Cirillo, J., & Anson, J. G. (2016). Can motor imagery and hypnotic susceptibility explain Conversion Disorder with motor symptoms?. Neuropsychologia, 89, 287-298. Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC4 |
| 2015 | Cirillo, J., & Perez, M. A. (2015). Subcortical contribution to late TMS-induced I-waves in intact humans. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 9(MAY), 38. Scopus25 Europe PMC24 |
| 2012 | Cirillo, J., Hughes, J., Ridding, M., Thomas, P., & Semmler, J. (2012). Differential modulation of motor cortex excitability in BDNF Met allele carriers following experimentally induced and use-dependent plasticity. European Journal of Neuroscience, 36(5), 2640-2649. Scopus73 WoS73 Europe PMC66 |
| 2012 | Cirillo, J., & Henneberg, M. (2012). Sequencing human ribs into anatomical order by quantitative multivariate methods. Homo - journal of comparative human biology, 63(3), 182-201. Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC3 |
| 2011 | Cirillo, J., Todd, G., & Semmler, J. (2011). Corticomotor excitability and plasticity following complex visuomotor training in young and old adults. European Journal of Neuroscience, 34(11), 1847-1856. Scopus103 WoS99 Europe PMC88 |
| 2011 | Semmler, J., & Cirillo, J. (2011). Exercise can help rewire the brain: neuroplasticity and motor cortex function in physically active individuals. Physiology News, (Winter 2010), 26-28. |
| 2010 | Cirillo, J., Rogasch, N., & Semmler, J. (2010). Hemispheric differences in use-dependent corticomotor plasticity in young and old adults. Experimental Brain Research, 205(1), 57-68. Scopus71 WoS70 Europe PMC65 |
| 2009 | Cirillo, J., Lavender, A., Ridding, M., & Semmler, J. (2009). Motor cortex plasticity induced by paired associative stimulation is enhanced in physically active individuals. Journal of Physiology-London, 587(24), 5831-5842. Scopus164 WoS154 Europe PMC142 |
| 2009 | Rogasch, N., Dartnall, T., Cirillo, J., Nordstrom, M., & Semmler, J. (2009). Corticomotor plasticity and learning of a ballistic thumb training task are diminished in older adults. Journal of Applied Physiology, 107(6), 1874-1883. Scopus159 WoS148 Europe PMC133 |
| 2008 | Dundon, J., Cirillo, J., & Semmler, J. (2008). Low-frequency fatigue and neuromuscular performance after exercise-induced damage to elbow flexor muscles.. Journal of Applied Physiology, 105(4), 1146-1155. Scopus42 WoS42 Europe PMC35 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Cirillo, J., Mooney, R., Ackerley, S. J., Borges, V., Smith, M. -C., Mangold, C., . . . Byblow, W. D. (2019). The Influence of Motor Cortex Inhibition on Upper Limb Recovery: A Multimodal Study. In STROKE Vol. 50 (pp. 2 pages). HI, Honolulu: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. |
| 2018 | Abstracts From the 2018 Annual Meeting (2018). In Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair Vol. 32 (pp. 1067-1112). SAGE Publications. DOI |
| 2018 | Abstracts from the 2017 Annual Meeting (2018). In Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair Vol. 32 (pp. 242-292). SAGE Publications. DOI |
| 2017 | Cirillo, J., Mooney, R., Borges, V., Barber, P. A., Clarkson, A., Ackerley, S., . . . Byblow, W. (2017). Does tonic inhibition in the sub-acute period after stroke alter the trajectory of upper limb recovery?. In INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE Vol. 12 (pp. 22). SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD. |
| 2016 | North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (2016). In Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology Vol. 38 (pp. S1-S276). Human Kinetics. DOI |
| 2015 | Cirillo, J., & Perez, M. A. (2015). Subcortical contribution to late TMS-induced I-waves in intact humans. In FRONTIERS IN INTEGRATIVE NEUROSCIENCE Vol. 9 (pp. 11 pages). FRONTIERS MEDIA SA. DOI WoS25 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Wadsley, C. G., Cirillo, J., Nieuwenhuys, A., & Byblow, W. D. (2023). A global pause generates nonselective response inhibition during selective stopping. DOI |
| 2022 | Wadsley, C., Cirillo, J., Nieuwenhuys, A., & Byblow, W. (2022). Proactive interhemispheric disinhibition supports response preparation during selective stopping. DOI |
I have several health and medical sciences teaching interests, including neurophysiology, human movement neuroscience, and human anatomy.
Course Coordination and Teaching:
- Physiology IIA: Heart, Lung & Neuromuscular Systems (PHYSIOL 2510; Semester 1)
-
Physiology IIB: Systems & Homeostasis (PHYSIOL 2520; Semester 2)
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | Synchronised brain oscillations and motor function | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Noah Jared Tilley |
| 2025 | Principal Supervisor | Characterising the neural processes mediating response inhibition. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Giuseppe Rinaldi |
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | Synchronised brain oscillations and motor function | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Noah Jared Tilley |
| 2025 | Principal Supervisor | Characterising the neural processes mediating response inhibition. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Giuseppe Rinaldi |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Targeting brain oscillations for human movement | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Amy Charlotte Meadows |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | Targeting brain oscillations for human movement | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Amy Charlotte Meadows |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Location | Program | Supervision Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 - ongoing | Co-Supervisor | The threshold matrix: a composite neurophysiological framework for assessing upper limb recovery after stroke | University of Auckland | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Maxine Shanks |
| 2021 - 2021 | Co-Supervisor | Modulation of intracortical inhibition after the stop cue in the task-relevant and surrounding muscles | University of Auckland | Bachelor of Science Honours | Honours | Full Time | Kelly Tay |
| 2020 - 2020 | Co-Supervisor | Motor cortex function during skill acquisition | University of Auckland | Master of Science | Master | Full Time | Kelly Ho |
| 2019 - 2019 | Co-Supervisor | Modulation of ipsilateral motor evoked potentials in a game-based context | University of Auckland | Bachelor of Science Honours | Honours | Full Time | Kelly Ho |
| 2018 - 2018 | Co-Supervisor | The Benefits of Physical Activity on the Ageing Brain | University of Auckland | Master of Science | Master | Full Time | Sarah Peek |
| 2018 - 2018 | Co-Supervisor | The Influence of Physical Activity on Motor Learning in the Ageing Brain | University of Auckland | Master of Science | Master | Full Time | Carys Ward |
| 2018 - 2018 | Co-Supervisor | Motor cortex inhibition and homeostatic meta-plasticity with somatosensory and transcranial direct current stimulation | University of Auckland | Master of Science | Master | Full Time | Anita Trudgen |
| 2018 - 2018 | Co-Supervisor | Effect of between-hand coupling on response inhibition | University of Auckland | Bachelor of Science Honours | Honours | Full Time | Corey Wadsley |
| 2017 - 2017 | Co-Supervisor | The role of intracortical inhibition during proactive movement preparation | University of Auckland | Master of Science | Master | Full Time | Matthew Cowie |
| 2016 - 2016 | Co-Supervisor | Mapping muscle synergies | University of Auckland | Bachelor of Science Honours | Honours | Full Time | Matthew Ward |
| 2015 - 2015 | Co-Supervisor | The role of GABAB-mediated intracortical inhibition within the primary motor cortex during selective movement prevention | University of Auckland | Bachelor of Science Honours | Honours | Full Time | Matthew Cowie |
| 2015 - 2015 | Co-Supervisor | Executive control in young adults – the effect of physical inactivity on reaction time and motor preparation | University of Auckland | Bachelor of Science Honours | Honours | Full Time | Jonathon Finch |
| Date | Topic | Location | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 - 2022 | PhD Topic: Response Inhibition | University of Auckland | Corey Wadsley |
| 2018 - 2019 | PhD Topic: Motor Recovery after Cerebellar Stroke | University of Auckland | Samuel Dodd |
| 2015 - 2019 | PhD Topic: What is the relationship among motor imagery abilities, hypnotic susceptibility and motor Conversion Disorder? | University of Auckland | Alexander Srzich |
| 2015 - 2019 | PhD Topic: Effects of ageing and stroke on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)–mediated inhibition in human motor cortex: Implications for motor learning and recovery | University of Auckland | Ronan Mooney |
| Date | Role | Committee | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 - ongoing | Board Member | Australasian Brain Stimulation Society | - | Australia |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 - ongoing | Member | Centre for Brain Research | New Zealand |
| 2015 - 2022 | Member | Brain Research New Zealand | New Zealand |
| 2013 - 2021 | Member | Society for Neuroscience | New Zealand |
| 2008 - 2010 | Member | Australian Neuroscience Society | Australia |
| 2006 - 2009 | Member | Research Centre for Human Motor Control | Australia |
| Date | Role | Editorial Board Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 - ongoing | Board Member | Experimental Brain Research | - | Australia |
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