John Cirillo

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.

  • 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

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)

  • 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
  • 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