John Cirillo
School of Biomedicine
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
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.
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Appointments
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 -
Awards and Achievements
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) -
Education
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 -
Research Interests
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Journals
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.
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.
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. Experimental Brain Research, 243(7), 22 pages.
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 Europe PMC12023 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.
Scopus4 Europe PMC22023 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.
Scopus10 Europe PMC132023 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 Europe PMC112023 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.
Scopus7 WoS1 Europe PMC62022 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.
Scopus9 WoS1 Europe PMC82022 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.
Scopus16 WoS7 Europe PMC182022 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.
Scopus7 WoS4 Europe PMC72021 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.
Scopus8 WoS4 Europe PMC72020 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.
Scopus15 WoS10 Europe PMC142020 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 WoS7 Europe PMC82020 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 WoS9 Europe PMC62019 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 WoS23 Europe PMC232019 Wadsley, C. G., Cirillo, J., & Byblow, W. D. (2019). Between-hand coupling during response inhibition. Journal of Neurophysiology, 122(4), 1357-1366.
Scopus12 WoS9 Europe PMC132019 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.
Scopus5 WoS2 Europe PMC42019 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 WoS4 Europe PMC72019 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.
Scopus16 WoS12 Europe PMC142018 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.
Scopus10 WoS8 Europe PMC72018 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.
Scopus7 WoS5 Europe PMC52018 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 WoS24 Europe PMC242018 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.
Scopus33 WoS25 Europe PMC212018 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.
Scopus20 WoS12 Europe PMC132017 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 PMC12017 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 WoS9 Europe PMC72017 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.
Scopus57 WoS52 Europe PMC472016 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 WoS31 Europe PMC292016 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.
Scopus44 WoS43 Europe PMC392016 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.
Scopus57 WoS45 Europe PMC382016 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.
Scopus24 WoS23 Europe PMC202016 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 WoS6 Europe PMC32015 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 PMC192012 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.
Scopus72 WoS70 Europe PMC552012 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 PMC22011 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.
Scopus99 WoS87 Europe PMC732011 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.
Scopus70 WoS64 Europe PMC572009 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.
Scopus159 WoS129 Europe PMC1232009 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.
Scopus155 WoS132 Europe PMC1092008 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 WoS37 Europe PMC31 -
Conference Papers
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.
DOI2018 Abstracts from the 2017 Annual Meeting (2018). In Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair Vol. 32 (pp. 242-292). SAGE Publications.
DOI2017 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.
DOI2015 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 WoS24 -
Preprint
Year Citation 2023 Wadsley, C. G., Cirillo, J., Nieuwenhuys, A., & Byblow, W. D. (2023). A global pause generates nonselective response inhibition during selective stopping.
DOI2022 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)
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Physiology IIB: Systems & Homeostasis (PHYSIOL 2520; Semester 2)
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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 Co-Supervisor Synchronised brain oscillations and motor function Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Noah Jared Tilley 2024 Co-Supervisor Targeting brain oscillations for human movement Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Amy Charlotte Meadows -
Other Supervision Activities
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 -
Mentoring
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
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2022 - ongoing Board Member Australasian Brain Stimulation Society - Australia -
Memberships
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 -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2020 - ongoing Board Member Experimental Brain Research - Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles
