MS BRAIN BANK - Key Persons
Dr Julia Morahan coordinates the MS Research Australia Brain Bank. Julia has a Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Sydney and a PhD in Neurology and Genetics undertaken at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Following her PhD, which investigated the neurodegenerative condition Motor Neuron Disease (MND).
In 2009, Julia switched her focus to MS and became the first recipient of a joint MS Research Australia - MS UK Fellowship, to work at the University of Oxford which was supported by the Macquarie Group Foundation. Upon Julia's return to Sydney in 2012, Julia joined MS Research Australia as the Research Development Coordinator, followed by her role as the Deputy Head of Research.
Professor Michael Barnett is a staff neurologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Senior Lecturer in Neurology at the University of Sydney. He is appointed to the MS Society Clinic at the Brain and Mind Centre, and was previously Fellow and Locum Consultant in Neurology & Neuro-ophthalmology at the National Hospital for Neurology, London, UK. He holds a PhD in Multiple Sclerosis pathogenesis. Professor Barnett practices as a general Neurologist but has particular interests in Neuroimmunology & Multiple Sclerosis, Neuro-ophthalmology and Neurophysiology.
Job Titles:
- Brain Bank Manager
- Senior Hospital Scientist at RPA Hospital
Mr Andrew Affleck is a Senior Hospital Scientist at RPA Hospital and has built his career around his passion for brain banking. He manages both the MS Research Australia Brain Bank and the Australian Sports Brain Bank. He has more than 10 years' experience in the collection, characterisation, and storing of brain tissue for research, with a focus on neurodegeneration. Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the MS Research Australia Brain Bank, and is committed to continuing efforts to further understand MS and supporting researchers in their efforts to find better treatments and a cure for MS.
Job Titles:
- Biobanking Science Officer
Ms Danielle Davies is part of the team running the MS Australia Brain Bank. Danielle has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney and extensive scientific laboratory experience. As the biobanking scientific officer her responsibilities include database design/management and preserving/preparing MS tissue for characterisation of MS lesions.
Ms Gabrielle Ferguson completed a Bachelor of Communications majoring in Political and Social Science at University of Technology Sydney and jumped straight into the non-for-profit world. As well as working and volunteering for several not-for-profits, Gabrielle has assisted in developing her family's growing childcare business over the last 12 years. She has ingratiated herself within the MS research community over the last three years as MS Australia's Grants Coordinator, a duty which she performs alongside her Brain Bank role.