
Ryan O'Hare Doig
Adelaide Medical School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr Ryan O’Hare Doig
Researcher, Centre for Orthopaedic and Trauma Research, Adelaide Medical School
Head, Spinal Cord injury Research, Neil Sachse Centre for Spinal Cord Research (SAHMRI)
E: ryan.doig@sahmri.com
T: (08) 8128 4744
Brief Bio: Dr. Ryan O’Hare Doig earned his PhD in Neuroscience and Physiology from the University of Western Australia (2018). In 2019, he established his own research group at the Neil Sachse Centre for Spinal Cord Research, and was appointed as a National Imaging Facility (NIF) Fellow in 2022. As head of SCI research at SAHMRI and the lead pre-clinical imaging scientist for South Australia, Ryan’s expertise lies in neuroscience, particularly in spinal cord injury (SCI) and molecular imaging. He has gained recognition for his work on the role of ion channels, oxidative stress, and inflammation as potential diagnostic biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. At SAHMRI, as head of spinal cord injury research, Ryan has established a research program focused on discovery, diagnostics, and therapeutics for SCI. His research, encompassing several large-scale multi-site studies, has secured $17.6m in funding (~$13.7m as Chief or Co-Chief Investigator) and produced over 40 peer-reviewed articles (including original research manuscripts, reviews and conference papers). His work, which spans animal studies and early-phase clinical trials, explores ion channels, neuroinflammation, tissue damage, dysfunction, degeneration, and regeneration.
Dr. O’Hare Doig has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Neurotrauma Society Certificate of Excellence (2018), Spine Society of Australia Early Career Scholarship (2021), a High Impact Publication award (as senior author) from the University of Adelaide (2021), and a top scoring conference papers from the International Neurotrauma Symposium (2024). In 2022, he was appointed to the international AO Spine Faculty (SCI Forum) as the sole Australian for his advancements in advancing SCI diagnostics and treatment approaches through pre-clinical research. Most recently, he was awarded the prestigious Dr. John and Mrs. Joy Yeo Churchill Fellowship to advance molecular imaging of the spinal cord.
Current Projects Focus on:
The permanent loss of movement and sensation (paralysis) is not the only challenge people with a spinal cord injury (SCI) will face. SCI puts individuals at risk of respiratory failure (29%), causing premature death, and bladder and bowel dysfunction (80%), which are amongst the most disabling complications, and a leading cause of re-hospitalisations. A survey of Australians living with an SCI found that people rated bladder or bowel control as the most significant complications drastically impacting their quality of life, and would prefer to regain these functions over the improvement of all other functions. Despite decades of research, their needs have not been met, and clinical trials targeting post-SCI pathology have failed to overcome key biological barriers to understanding how to deliver lasting functional recovery. Dr. O’Hare Doig’s body of current research aims to change that.
Research projects available:
The NANO-REWIRE Project: NANOmedicine enabled functional REcovery With Integrated REtrograde proteins for spinal cord injury therapy
The spinal cord is shielded by two biological barriers:
1) the damaged spinal cord tissue microenvironment – marked by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic problems, blocks natural repair and reduces the effectiveness of therapies.
2) the blood–spinal cord barrier (BSCB) – acts like a border security force, controlling what can pass from the blood into the spinal cord. It protects the spinal cord from harmful substances but also makes it extremely difficult to deliver therapies without invasive techniques.
To overcome these barriers, and treat SCI induced respiratory failure, and bladder and bowel dysfunction, we propose a novel strategy using nanoengineered enzymes, ‘nanozymes’, chemically bound to transport proteins to enable targeted delivery of antioxidant therapy with anatomical precision, to injured spinal pathways responsible for respiratory, bladder and bowel function.
Through a multidisciplinary approach, integrating spinal cord neuropathology, basic neuroscience, molecular biology, chemical engineering and nanomedicine, our program of research will build on collection of recent breakthroughs and preliminary findings, with two major aims to develop these findings:
• Aim 1: Create, characterise, and optimise WGA-HRP conjugated nanozymes for safe targeted delivery to spinal cord neurons
• Aim 2: Evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of optimised nanozymes on functional recovery in clinically relevant rodent models of acute and chronic SCI
Projects available for: Honours, Masters and/or PhD
Location: SAHMRI, Adelaide Medical School
Research project start: Current, Ongoing.
The C-RESCUE Project – Combinatorial REgenerative Stem Cell therapy Using Engineered nanozyme formulations for Spinal Cord Injury
SCI is a debilitating condition with limited regenerative capacity. While neural precursor stem cell therapy shows great promise, stem cell survival is severely compromised by poorly understood hostile tissue microenvironments (Knowledge Barrier #1). Our recent work shows stem cells fail in settings marked by SCI induced cytotoxic infiltrating immune cell infiltration and oxidative stress – warranting in vivo investigation to identify signatures driving stem cell failure, to enable therapeutic targeting. Targeted preservation of stem cell viability and function requires local, and sustained support in these environments. Nanozymes, antioxidant enzyme-mimicking nanoparticles, offer an innovative means to neutralise reactive species, yet current stem-cell-nanozyme systems lack targeted design (Knowledge Barrier #2). We propose integrating nanozymes with stem cell therapy to actively modulate the tissue microenvironment and enhance stem cell survival and function.
To advance this strategy, our C-RESCUE project is structured across two research aims, each addressing each key knowledge barrier to effective stem cell therapy in SCI,
• Aim 1: Identify key oxidative stress biomarkers in the SCI microenvironment that influence stem cell survival stem cell survival (Year 1-2).
• Aim 2: Design and optimise targeted stem cell-nanozyme systems using clinically relevant delivery platforms in vitro (Year 2-3).
Projects available for: Honours, Masters and/or PhD
Location: SAHMRI, Adelaide Medical School
Research project start: Current, Ongoing.
Project Discovery – Radioligands and PET-CT as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers following spinal cord injury
Project description: One of the many consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI) is acute post-traumatic neuroinflammation. Understanding how particular biomarkers of neuroinflammation progress over the course of injury is imperative for tracking and predicting outcomes, providing accurate diagnosis and prognosis, and choosing and monitoring appropriate therapeutic interventions for SCI injured patients.
MRI is currently considered the gold standard biomarker for the prognosis and diagnosis of SCI. MRI allows for critical assessment of acute SCI because it clearly depicts ultra-structural parameters, such as lesion location, as well as extent and severity of the injury. More recently, advanced functional nuclear imaging, particularly positron emission tomography (PET) has emerged as a new method for assessing metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers within the CNS. Work to date, shows proof-of-principle for PET-computed tomography (PET-CT) diagnostic brain imaging for clinical disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and epilepsy. With these advances in functional nuclear imaging, the proliferation of novel radio isotopes for the assessment of inflammatory changes in neural tissue has established new tools for CNS interrogation, providing further perspective on the pathophysiology of neurotrauma in vivo, and in real time.
This study proposes to:
• Aim 1: Determine whether whether positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of radioligands (e.g. [18F]GE-180) will serve as a robust biomarker of inflammatory responses during acute and chronic phases of SCI.
• Aim 2: Determine whether altered PET imaging parameters are associated with biochemical and molecular indices, and/or decreased hindlimb locomotor function, both in the acute and chronic setting.
Projects available for: Masters and/or PhD
Location: SAHMRI, Adelaide Medical School, Royal Adelaide Hospital
Research project start: Current, ongoing.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
Dr Ryan O’Hare Doig
Head, Spinal Cord injury Research (SAHMRI)
Neil Sachse Centre for Spinal Cord Research
E: ryan.doig@sahmri.com
T: (08) 8128 4744
In 2017, Dr. Ryan O'Hare Doig completed his Ph.D in Neuroscience and Physiology at the University of Western Australia. During his PhD, Ryan developed and optimised a combinatorial treatment strategy incorporating pharmacotherapeutics for the treatment of Central Nervous System (CNS) injury. Ryan’s combinatorial strategy has been assessed in a clinically relevant model of spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury and concussion, demonstrating significant functional recovery and tissue sparing, crucial for the translation of his research into clinical trials. He has a wealth of experience in various innovative and analytical techniques to demonstrate biochemical, molecular and gross anatomical changes that occur following CNS injury. Ryan 's early research career has focused on understanding the pathophysiology of secondary degeneration following neurotrauma to the CNS with a particular focus on spinal cord injury (SCI).
In 2017, Ryan joined the South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the Neil Sachse Centre for Spinal Cord Research, to provide his expertise in SCI, which he now leads as the acting non-executive Director, and head of the SCI Research Lab Group. Since joining SAHMRI, Ryan has developed a research programme with three distinct themes: Discovery, diagnostics and therapeutics. These themes involve several large-scale projects, all of which have attracted substantial additional external funding (e.g. AOSpine, Neurosurgical Research Foundation, Lifetime Support Authority, SpinalCure) and internal funding University of Adelaide and SAHMRI (~$5.63m as CI, ~$3.87m as AI), respectively, across 12 competitive grants. This has led to the development of several pre-clinical research studies in small and large animal models, the approval of two world-first early phase clinical trials (ACTRN1262200073374 & ACTRN12618001946202), and the establishment of South Australia's only pre-clinical stem cell tissue engineering platform (with Adelaide Medical School, School of Biomedicine, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials) actively seeking a cure for SCI.
Research Interests
- Neurotrauma
- Neuropharmacology
- Molecular Biology
- Nuclear imaging (PET/CT)
- Functional imaging (fMRI)
- Nanomedicine
- Inflammation
- Oxidative stress
- Stem cell biology
- Glia
My research lab actively works on developing advanced functional and molecular imaging techniques and protocols to provide a 'live-feed' of the injured spinal cord by accurately mapping biomarkers of spinal cord pathology and quantifying dysfunction following acute and chronic SCI. My research goal is to develop a functional and molecular clinical imaging pipelines that will change how we diagnose and treat SCI, and ultimately lead novel targets for therapy to the improve quality of life of SCI individuals and their families.
Current Projects Focus on:
- Characterising the theranostic potential of neuroinflammation.
- Mapping biomarkers of pathophysiology, sensorimotor and autonomic and function/dysfunction following SCI using advanced non-invasing neuroimaging techniques such as PET-CT, DTI and fMRI.
- Developing novel techniques to improve stem cell therapeutic potential following engraftment in spinal cord tissue.
- Assessing the exposure risks of acute SCI patients that influence changes in the gut-inflammatory axis
- Assessing nanomedicine techniques for the treatment of respiratory dysfunction following SCI
Research projects available:
Research Project 1
Project Discovery – The 18-kDa translocator protein radioligand [18F]GE-10 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker following spinal cord injury
Project description: One of the many consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI) is acute post-traumatic neuroinflammation. Understanding how particular biomarkers of neuroinflammation progress over the course of injury is imperative for tracking and predicting outcomes, providing accurate diagnosis and prognosis, and choosing and monitoring appropriate therapeutic interventions for SCI injured patients.
This study proposes to investigate whether positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of radioligands (e.g. [18F]GE-180) will serve as a robust biomarker to discriminate innate and adaptive inflammatory responses during acute and chronic phases of SCI, respectively.
Projects available for: Masters and/or PhD
Location: SAHMRI, Royal Adelaide Hospital
Research project start: Current, ongoing.
Research Project 2
Project SCIN (Spinal Cord Injury Neurosexuality) – Developing a biological understanding of sexual health following spinal cord injury
Project description: Sexual health is a high priority for men and women with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, our understanding of the biological basis of sexual dysfunction in this context is still preliminary and there is no consensus treatment guideline or evidence-based treatment plan. This study proposes to perform detailed clinical assessment comparing the spared neurological and autonomic functions of men and women with complete SCIs with quantitative fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) read-out of cord and brain activity. This will enable evaluation in real-time and help us to elucidate the functional nature of psychogenic sexual response.
Projects available for: Honours, Masters and/or PhD
Location: SAHMRI, Royal Adelaide Hospital
Research project start: Ongoing.
Research Project 3
Project Bridge - Bridging the gap between regenerative medicine and spinal cord injury
Project description: The human spinal cord has limited capacity for spontaneous regeneration. Regeneration and replacement of neurons and glia that undergo cell death after SCI are the main goals of all stem cell-based therapies for SCI. However, stem cells typically show poor survival and/or differentiation under the severe conditions of SCI. Thus, translation from bench-to-bedside is clearly hindered by the lack of understanding of stem cell survival and stem cell differentiation pathways following delivery/transplantation.
This research project uniquely explores novel techniques to pre-conditioning dental pulp stem cells to promote enhanced stem cell survival and neural regeneration.
Projects available for: Third Year, Honours, Masters and/or PhD
Location: SAHMRI, University of Adelaide
Research project start: July 2019, on-going.
Research Project 4
Project Bridge - Day One to 365 (DOT365) Pilot Study - Understanding the microbial risks of neuropathic pain during the first year of spinal cord injury
Project description: Recently, it was discovered that gut dysbiosis and consequent changes in the gut microbiome influences neuropathic pain through inflammatory pathways. Similarly, it is understood that exposures to medications, diet and lifestyle factors are strongly associated with changes in the gut-microbiome and inflammatory axis. In the first 12 months following SCI, patients will be exposed to numerous modifications in both their lifestyle and environmental factors. However, to this date, no one has explored how such exposure-risks may influence changes in the gut-inflammatory axis, and thus lead to the onset of comorbidites (e.g.Neuropathic pain). Therefore, we propose an innovative observational pilot study, assessing the exposure-risks of acute SCI patients, to determine their effects on the gut-immune axis and neuropathic pain. This proposal brings together an investigative group of E/MCR research leaders with Clinical expertise in the fields of Neurotrauma, Neuroinflammation and Microbiome and Host Health.
Research Project 5
The BREATH delivery project - Biodegradable Respiratory Enhancing nAnoparticle conjugates for THeophylline delivery and treatment of respiratory dysfunction following SCI
Project description: Respiratory dysfunction following SCI is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in SCI patients and remains without a cure. Whilst various clinical trials have attempted to target respiratory dysfunction through drug interventions, they often require large doses of systemic drug delivered to patients who ultimately suffer low therapeutic benefit and highly intolerable side effects. Therefore, there is a critical need to pursue alternative and novel methods for treating respiratory dysfunction in SCI patients. Our breakthrough research will provide a new alternative for drug delivery using biocompatible nanoparticle delivery through a world first targeted nanomedicine approach. This study aims to engineer newly synthesised nanoparticles (NPs) with biodegradable materials, to test the hypothesis that theophylline drug-carrying NPs can selectively transport and release drugs in neurons for the effective treatment of acute respiratory dysfunction following SCI.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2021 - ongoing Chair, Animals in Research Committee Australasian Neuroscience Society 2021 - ongoing Head, Spinal Cord Injury Research South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute 2019 - ongoing Associate Member AOSpine 2017 - ongoing Adjunct Lecturer University of Adelaide, Adelaide 2017 - ongoing Post-doctoral Research Fellow South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute 2017 - ongoing Project Manager South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute -
Language Competencies
Language Competency English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2017 University of Western Australia, Perth Australia Ph.D. Neuroscience & Physiology 2012 University of Western Australia, Perth Australia B.Sc. (Neuroscience) with First Class Honours -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2025 Bessen, M. A., Gayen, C. D., Doig, R. L. O., Dorrian, R. M., Quarrington, R. D., Mulaibrahimovic, A., . . . Jones, C. F. (2025). Cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and subarachnoid space occlusion following traumatic spinal cord injury in the pig: an investigation using magnetic resonance imaging. Fluids and Barriers of the CNS, 22(1), 6-1-6-16.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12025 Bessen, M. A., Marian, O. C., O'Hare Doig, R. L., Sorby-Adams, A., Gayen, C. D., Kaukas, L. M., . . . Jones, C. F. (2025). Intraoperative ultrasound monitoring of spinal cord swelling and parenchymal changes in a porcine model of thoracic spinal cord injury. Experimental Neurology, 392, 13 pages.
2024 Birckhead, A., O'Hare Doig, R., Carstens, A., Jenkins, D., & Shamsi, S. (2024). Exploring the anatomy of Linguatula serrata using micro-computed tomography. International Journal for Parasitology Parasites and Wildlife, 25, 11 pages.
2024 Brookman-May, S. D., Buyse, M., Freedland, S. J., Miladinovic, B., Zhang, K., Fendler, W. P., . . . Sweeney, C. J. (2024). Challenges and Opportunities in Establishing Appropriate Intermediate Endpoints Reflecting Patient Benefit: A Roadmap for Research and Clinical Application in Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer. European Urology, 86(2), 81-87.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12024 Jenkner, S., Clark, J. M., Gronthos, S., & O’Hare Doig, R. L. (2024). Molars to Medicine: A Focused Review on the Pre-Clinical Investigation and Treatment of Secondary Degeneration following Spinal Cord Injury Using Dental Stem Cells. Cells, 13(10), 31 pages.
Scopus22024 Wang, W., Yong, J., Marciano, P., O’Hare Doig, R., Mao, G., & Clark, J. (2024). The Translation of Nanomedicines in the Contexts of Spinal Cord Injury and Repair. Cells, 13(7), 569-1-569-16.
Scopus3 Europe PMC12023 Gayen, C., Bessen, M., Dorrian, R., Quarrington, R., Mulaibrahimovic, A., O'Hare Doig, R., . . . Jones, C. (2023). A survival model of thoracic contusion spinal cord injury in the domestic pig. Journal of Neurotrauma, 40(9-10), 965-980.
Scopus7 WoS2 Europe PMC72022 Jenkner, S., & O’Hare Doig, R. (2022). Complementing Neuroregeneration: Deciphering the Role of Neuro-Immune Interactions in CNS Repair. Journal of Neuroscience, 42(14), 2850-2852.
2021 Mansouri, N., Al-Sarawi, S., Losic, D., Mazumdar, J., Clark, J., Gronthos, S., & O’Hare Doig, R. (2021). Biodegradable and Biocompatible Graphene-based Scaffolds for Functional Neural Tissue Engineering: A Strategy Approach Using Dental Pulp Stem Cells and Biomaterials.
2021 Mansouri, N., Al-Sarawi, S., Losic, D., Mazumdar, J., Clark, J., Gronthos, S., & O'Hare Doig, R. (2021). Biodegradable and biocompatible graphene-based scaffolds for functional neural tissue engineering: a strategy approach using dental pulp stem cells and biomaterials. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 118(11), 4217-4230.
Scopus24 WoS10 Europe PMC112020 O Hare Doig, R. L., Santhakumar, S., Fehily, B., Raja, S., Solomon, T., Bartlett, C. A., . . . Hodgetts, S. I. (2020). Acute cellular and functional changes with a combinatorial treatment of ion channel inhibitors following spinal cord injury. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 13, 85.
Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC72017 Yates, N. J., Giacci, M. K., O Hare Doig, R. L., Chiha, W., Ashworth, B. E., Kenna, J., . . . Fitzgerald, M. (2017). Delayed treatment of secondary degeneration following acute optic nerve transection using a combination of ion channel inhibitors. Neural Regeneration Research, 12(2), 307-316.
Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC32017 O'Hare Doig, R. L., Chiha, W., Giacci, M. K., Yates, N. J., Bartlett, C. A., Smith, N. M., . . . Fitzgerald, M. (2017). Specific ion channels contribute to key elements of pathology during secondary degeneration following neurotrauma. BMC Neuroscience, 18(1), 62.
Scopus29 WoS25 Europe PMC222016 O'Hare Doig, R. L., Bartlett, C. A., Smith, N. M., Hodgetts, S. I., Dunlop, S. A., Hool, L., & Fitzgerald, M. (2016). Specific combinations of ion channel inhibitors reduce excessive Ca²⁺ influx as a consequence of oxidative stress and increase neuronal and glial cell viability in vitro. Neuroscience, 339, 450-462.
Scopus14 WoS14 Europe PMC112015 Challenor, M., O'Hare Doig, R., Fuller, P., Giacci, M., Bartlett, C., Wale, C. H., . . . Fitzgerald, M. (2015). Prolonged glutamate excitotoxicity increases GluR1 immunoreactivity but decreases mRNA of GluR1 and associated regulatory proteins in dissociated rat retinae in vitro. Biochimie, 112, 160-171.
Scopus10 WoS9 Europe PMC42015 O'Hare Doig, R. L., & Fitzgerald, M. (2015). Novel combinations of ion channel inhibitors for treatment of neurotrauma. Discovery Medicine, 19(102), 41-47.
Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC52015 Meloni, B. P., Milani, D., Edwards, A. B., Anderton, R. S., O'Hare Doig, R. L., Fitzgerald, M., . . . Knuckey, N. W. (2015). Neuroprotective peptides fused to arginine-rich cell penetrating peptides: Neuroprotective mechanism likely mediated by peptide endocytic properties. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 153, 36-54.
Scopus81 WoS65 Europe PMC522014 O'Hare Doig, R. L., Bartlett, C. A., Maghzal, G. J., Lam, M., Archer, M., Stocker, R., & Fitzgerald, M. (2014). Reactive species and oxidative stress in optic nerve vulnerable to secondary degeneration. Experimental Neurology, 261, 136-146.
Scopus35 WoS31 Europe PMC262013 Szymanski, C. R., Chiha, W., Morellini, N., Cummins, N., Bartlett, C. A., O'Hare Doig, R. L., . . . Fitzgerald, M. (2013). Paranode Abnormalities and Oxidative Stress in Optic Nerve Vulnerable to Secondary Degeneration: Modulation by 670 nm Light Treatment. Plos One, 8(6), 14 pages.
Scopus33 WoS31 Europe PMC232013 Savigni, D. L., O'Hare Doig, R. L., Szymanski, C. R., Bartlett, C. A., Lozić, I., Smith, N. M., & Fitzgerald, M. (2013). Three Ca2+ channel inhibitors in combination limit chronic secondary degeneration following neurotrauma. Neuropharmacology, 75, 380-390.
Scopus39 WoS35 Europe PMC30 -
Conference Papers
Year Citation 2024 Zhang, M., Yu, S. S., Wang, L., Wang, X., Ding, Q., Li, W., . . . Shi, P. (2024). Day-ahead Low-carbon Dispatch Strategy for Power Systems Considering Pumped-storage Hydroelectric Participation in Active Power Regulations. In 2023 IEEE International Conference on Energy Technologies for Future Grids, ETFG 2023 (pp. 1-6). Online: IEEE.
DOI2022 Cha, S., Doig, R. O., Guerrero, K., & Bartholomeusz, D. (2022). The Functionality of 18-kda Translocator Protein Radioligand [<SUP>18</SUP>F] GE-180 as a Biomarker in the Diagnostic and Prognostic Evaluation of Spinal Cord Injury Imaging. In INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL Vol. 52 (pp. 20). WILEY. 2015 Sykes, L., Rasheed, Z., Lee, Y., Brown, R., MacIntyre, D., Teoh, T. G., & Bennett, P. (2015). 15-deoxy-Δ<SUP>12,14</SUP> Prostaglandin J<sub>2</sub> inhibits IL-1<i>β</i>-induced contraction associated protein and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in human cultured amniocytes and myocytes. In BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY Vol. 122 (pp. E3). WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2013 Savigni, D., Doig, R. O., Szymanski, C., Bartlett, C., Lozic, I., Smith, N., & Fitzgerald, M. (2013). THREE CA<SUP>2+</SUP> CHANNEL INHIBITORS IN COMBINATION REDUCE CHRONIC SECONDARY DEGENERATION FOLLOWING NEUROTRAUMA. In GLIA Vol. 61 (pp. S197-S198). GERMANY, Berlin: WILEY-BLACKWELL. -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2022 Jenkner, S., Clark, J., Gronthos, S., Grose, R., Lewis, M., & Doig, R. O. (2022). EXPERIMENTAL SPINAL CORD INJURY REVEALS NOVEL HETEROGENIC MONOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA. Berlin, GERMANY: MARY ANN LIEBERT, INC. -
Preprint
Year Citation 2024 Jenkner, S., Grose, R., Lewis, M., Thomas, D., Gronthos, S., Clark, J., & Doig, R. O. (2024). Novel monocyte sub-populations revealed by detailed analysis of CD43 and CD11b expression in Sprague Dawley rats.
DOI2024 Doig, R. O., Jenkner, S., Grose, R., Lewis, M., Thomas, D., Gronthos, S., & Clark, J. (2024). Novel monocyte sub-populations in Sprague Dawley rats revealed by detailed analysis of CD43 and CD11b expression using a single-stain 11-colour fluorescence activated cell sorting protocol.
DOI
Selected External Grants
2023 - Research Grant. ‘BioSpine 2.0: the personalised Digital Twin for Thought-driven Electromechanical Assistive Neurorehabilitation Devices Program, Motor Accident Insurance Comission.
2023 - Research Grant. ‘Role of concomitant traumatic brain injury on the development of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury’, Neurosurgical Research Foundation.
2023 - EMCR Seed Funding Grant (2023 - 2024) - AU$30,000. ‘Day One to 365 (DOT365) Pilot Study – Understanding the microbial risks of neuropathic pain during the first year of spinal cord injury’, SAHMRI.
2021 - Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration. ‘Metagenomic sequencing of viruses present in the csf of patients after spinal cord injury’, Flinders University.
2020 - Start-up Grant, "Functional tissue engineering for spinal cord injury: A strategy using teeth and nanomedicine", AOSpine.
2019 - Lifetime Support Authority Research Grant. ‘Project SCIN (Spinal Cord Injury Neurosexuality)’, Lifetime Support Authority.
2019 – Discovery and Innovation Award, "Modulation of inflammatory responses using neural crest derived dental pulp stem cells following acute spinal cord injury", AOSpine.
2018 – Early and Mid-Career Research Development Support Grant, "18-kDa translocator protein radioligand [18F]GE-180 as a neuroinflammatory biomarker following spinal cord injury, SAHMRI
2017 - Research, Education and Programs Grant, "Project Discovery - Using molecular imaging for precision medicine approaches for SCI", Lifetime Support Authority
Selected Awards & Scholarships
High Impact Publication for 2021, Industry Impact – Health Solutions IEP, University of Adelaide |
2021 |
Collaboration Grant, Spinal Research Institute
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2021 |
Early Career Scholarship, Spine Society of Australia |
2021 |
Certificate of Excellence, National Neurotrauma Society |
2018 |
Travel Scholarship, National Neurotrauma Society |
2018 |
Alumni Recognition Award (Community Award), Christian Brothers College |
2018 |
Three Minute Thesis People Choice Award (Winner), Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) |
2017 |
Ross Wishart Memorial Award (Finalist), Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) |
2017 |
Student Awards & Scholarships
Melinda Mead, University of Adelaide Summer Research Scholarship
Reeya Patel, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Honours Scholarship
Madeleine Holmes-Vickers, Research Training Program Scholarship, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Adelaide
Paul Marciano, Research Training Program Scholarship, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Adelaide
Sunyu Cha, ANZSNM Nuclear Medicine Undergraduate Student Award
Sunyu Cha, ANSTO/ANZSNM ASM 2022 Travel Grant
Georgia Bright, Research Training Program Scholarship, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Adelaide
Negar Mansouri, High Impact Publication for 2021, University of Adelaide
Sandra Jenkner, Early Career Scholarship, Spine Society of Australia
Sandra Jenkner, Research Training Program Scholarship, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Adelaide
Ashton Milton-Hine, University of Adelaide Summer Research Scholarship
Sandra Jenkner, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Honours Scholarship
Aleesha Searle, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Honours Scholarship
Teaching experience
The University of Adelaide
The University of Western Australia
Lecturer, ANHB1102: Human Biology |
2016 – 2018 |
Guest Lecturer, NEUR4010: Modern Research Tools in Neuroscience |
2016 |
Tutor, ANHB1101/1102: Human Biology |
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Teaching Assistant, ANIM3320: Comparative Neurobiology |
2014 – 2016 |
Teaching Assistant, NEUR3326: Advanced Neuroscience |
2012 – 2016 |
Teaching Assistant, BIOL1130: Frontiers in Biology |
2014 |
Teaching Assistant, DENT4101/POD4103: Anatomy Physiology & Cell Biology |
2013 |
Teaching Assistant ANHB2217: Human Neurobiology |
2012 – 2013 |
Student Supervision & Mentoring
Graduate
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Madeleine Anne Holmes-Vickers (Doctor of Medicine, March 2023 – present), University of Adelaide. ‘Day One to 365 (DOT365) - Understanding the Microbial Risks of Neuropathic Pain during the First Year of Spinal Cord Injury’. Supervisor with Dr. Anna Leonard, Dr. Andrew Shoubridge
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Paul Marciano (Doctor of Medicine, Jan 2023 - present), University of Adelaide. ‘Targeted drug delivery for treatment of respiratory dysfunction following spinal cord injury using retrograde transport of biodegradable nanoparticles’. Supervisor with Prof. Guangzhao Mao, Dr. Anna Leonard.
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Mohammad Khaled A Alsenaide (Doctor of Biomedical Engineering, March 2022 - present), University of Adelaide. ‘Graphene Based Scaffold for Neural Tissue Engineering (NTE) and Biomedical Engineering Applications’. Supervisor with Prof. Dusan Losic, Dr. Said Al Sarawi
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Keziah Jane Skein (Doctor of Biomedicine, March 2022 - present), University of Adelaide. ‘Evaluating the role of concomitant traumatic brain injury on the development of neuropathic pain following traumatic spinal cord injury’. Supervisor with Dr. Anna Leonard, Dr. Frances Corrigan.
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Georgia Bright (Doctor of Medicine, March 2022 – present), University of Adelaide. ‘MRI and PET-CT in spinal cord injury – investigation of the neural bases of sexual function and the viability of 18-kDa translocator protein radioligand [18F]GE-180 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker’ Supervisor with Dr. Nigel Rogasch, Prof. Jillian Clark
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Sandra Jenkner (Doctor of Medicine; March 2021 – present), University of Adelaide. ‘Pre-conditioning and modulation of dental pulp stem cells for the treatment of acute spinal cord injury’. Supervisor with Prof. Stan Gronthos, Prof. Jillian Clark.
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Negar Mansouri (Doctor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; 2018-2021), University of Adelaide. ‘The Study of 3D Graphene-based Scaffolds in Neural Tissue Engineering. Supervisor with Dr. Said Al-Sarawi, Prof. Dusan Losic.
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Sreya Santhakumar (Master in Health Science, Neuroscience; 2015-2016), University of Western Australia. Supervisor with Dr. Stuart Hodgetts.
Undergraduate
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Reeya Patel (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Honours; 2023), University of Adelaide. ‘Exploiting Immune cells to enhance viability and regenerative capacity of dental pulp stem cells following spinal cord injury
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Shehani Loku Pathirage (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Honours; 2023), University of Adelaide. ‘Characterising the effects of graphene-based scaffolds on dental pulp stem cell neural properties for the treatment of spinal cord injury’
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Paul Marciano (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Honours; 2022), University of Adelaide. ‘Characterisation of the central and peripheral neuroinflammation following acute blood spinal cord barrier disruption following spinal cord injury’
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Aker Leuth (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Honours; 2022), University of Adelaide. ‘Characterisation of immunodulation caused by acute spinal cord injury’
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Benjamin Shao En Sim (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Final Year Research Project; 2021), University of Adelaide. ‘Characterisation of the central and peripheral responses of inflammatory cells following acute spinal cord injury’.
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Hosanna Ratnayake (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Final Year Research Project; 2021), University of Adelaide. ‘Characterisation of the central and peripheral responses of inflammatory cells following acute spinal cord injury’.
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Sunyu Cha, (Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science [Nuclear Medicine] Honours; 2020-2021). University of South Australia. ‘The Functionality of 18-kDa Translocator Protein Radioligand [18F]GE-180 as a Biomarker in the Diagnostic and Prognostic Evaluation of Spinal Cord Injury’. Supervisor with Prof. Dylan Bartholomeusz, Ms. Katherine Guerrero.
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Ashton Milton-Hine (Summer Research Placement; 2020-2021), University of Adelaide. ‘Bridging the gap between regenerative medicine and spinal cord injury’.
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Sandra Jenkner, (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences [Advanced] Honours; 2020), University of Adelaide. Supervisor with Prof. Stan Gronthos, A/Prof. Jillian Clark. Graduated with First Class Honours.
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Aleesha Searle (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Honours; 2020), University of Adelaide. ‘Characterisation of the central and peripheral responses of inflammatory cells following acute spinal cord injury’. Graduated with First Class Honours;
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Chad Lennon (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Honours; 2020). University of Adelaide. ‘Can the radioligand [18F]GE-180 be used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool following a spinal cord injury?’. Graduated with First Upper Second Class Honours
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Amelia Noone (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Final Year Research Project; 2019-2020), University of Adelaide. ‘Bridging the gap between regenerative medicine and spinal cord injury’.
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Florence Muhoi (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Final Year Research Project; 2019-2020), University of Adelaide. ‘Bridging the gap between regenerative medicine and spinal cord injury’.
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Amelia Rinaldi (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Final Year Research Project; 2019-2020), University of Adelaide. ‘Exploring [18F]GE-10 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker following spinal cord injury’.
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Portia-Ellen Cook (Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Final Year Research Project; 2019-2020), University of Adelaide. Exploring [18F]GE-10 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker following spinal cord injury’.
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Jade Kenna (Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience; Final Year Research Placement; 2016), University of Western Australia. ‘Combinatorial ion channel inhibitor therapy for the treatment of CNS injury’.
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Breanna Dixon (Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Final Year Research Placement; 2016) University of Western Australia. ‘Combinatorial ion channel inhibitor therapy for the treatment of CNS injury’.
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2024 Principal Supervisor Spinal QUantitative Imaging with Super High-field strength MRI for accurate non-invasive spinal cord tumour diagnosis in Youngsters: The SQUISHY spine project Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Reeya Chetan Patel 2023 Principal Supervisor Targeted drug delivery for treatment of respiratory dysfunction following spinal cord injury using retrograde transport of biodegradable nanoparticles. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Paul Marciano 2022 Co-Supervisor Evaluating the role of concomitant traumatic brain injury on the development of neuropathic pain following traumatic spinal cord injury Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Keziah Jane Skein 2022 Principal Supervisor A clinical advanced neuroimaging study investigating the validity of fMRI and DTI as a diagnostic biomarker for sexual dysfunction following spinal cord injury. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Georgia Elise Bright 2022 Co-Supervisor Graphene Based Scaffold for Neural Tissue Engineering (NTE) and Biomedical Engineering Applications Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Mohammad Alsenaide -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2021 - 2025 Co-Supervisor Bridging the gap: Characterising the peripheral immune response in spinal cord injury to enhance stem cell therapies Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Sandra Jenkner
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Presentation
Date Topic Presented at Institution Country 2021 - ongoing Developing and Characterising a Porcine Survival Model of Thoracic Contusion Spinal Cord Injury Annual Scientific Meeting Spine Society of Australia - 2021 - ongoing Developing and Characterising a Porcine Survival Model of Thoracic Contusion Spinal Cord Injury Florey Postgraduate Research Conference Florey Medical Foundation, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide - 2020 - ongoing Developing and Characterising a Porcine Survival Model of Thoracic Contusion Spinal Cord Injury South Australian Annual Scientific Meeting Australian Society for Medical Research -
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