Translational Neuroscience Laboratory

Translational Neuroscience Laboratory at the QUT Faculty of Health and the Translational Research Institute (TRI).

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

🎉✨ Exciting Lab Update! ✨🎉
We’re thrilled to share that Associate Professor Richard Gordon and PhD candidate Aishwarya Mary Johnson have secured funding through the Pipeline Accelerator Scheme, an incredible initiative by Therapeutic Innovation Australia in partnership with Phenomics Australia and the National Deuteration Facility! 🧠💊
This support enables our team to access cutting-edge translational research infrastructure to screen therapeutic agents targeting Parkinson’s disease symptoms. This milestone is a testament to the passion, collaboration, and dedication of our lab to advancing medical research. 💪
A massive thank you to Therapeutic Innovation Australia and partners for empowering us to drive innovation in the fight against Parkinson’s. Together, we’re taking meaningful steps toward improving lives! 🌟
For more details, check out: Link
Here’s to breaking boundaries in science and making a difference! 🧬✨
#ParkinsonsResearch #TherapeuticInnovation #PipelineAccelerator #TranslationalResearch #Collaboration #Innovation #Teamwork #Neuroscience #MedicalResearch #QUT #TRI @TherapeuticInnovationAustralia @TRI @QUT @ParkinsonsQLD @PhenomicsAustralia @NationalDeuterationFacility @ParkinsonsAustralia @FightParkinsonsAU

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

We are proud to share the strong representation of the Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, led by A/Prof Richard Gordon, at the 7th @World Parkinson Congress #WPC2026 and the Planning for Prevention of Parkinson’s and Related Synucleinopathies: A Trial Design Forum, held in Phoenix, Arizona, this May.

🔬 Advancing Parkinson’s disease research through translational neuroscience

Three members of our team attended these important international scientific meetings: Jessika Suescun, MD, Senior Clinical Trial Manager; Sunil Srivastav, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow; and Aishwarya Mary Johnson, MSc, PhD Candidate.

🌏 International research engagement

Together, they received a total of AUD $11,400 in travel award support from @Shake It Up Australia Foundation, enabling valuable participation, knowledge exchange, and international engagement across the Parkinson’s disease research community.

📊 Scientific contributions

Across both events, our laboratory presented 11 posters highlighting our ongoing translational research program in Parkinson’s disease and related synucleinopathies. The work spanned key areas including diagnostic approaches, disease progression biomarkers, drug repurposing strategies, preclinical therapeutic discovery, and novel disease-modifying molecular candidates.

🏅 Research recognition

We are especially proud that posters from two of our PhD candidates, Aishwarya Mary Johnson and Divya Onkar Mondhe, were selected for poster tours at the World Parkinson Congress. This recognition reflects the scientific quality, clinical relevance, and translational impact of their research contributions.

🙏 Acknowledgements

We extend our sincere thanks to our current funding bodies, collaborators, and research supporters for their continued investment in Parkinson’s disease research:

@The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
@Shake It Up Australia Foundation
@Wesley Research Institute
@U.S. Department of Defense
@QUT
@Translational Research Institute Australia
@PrincessAlexandraHospital
@UQCCR
🤝 Collaboration and impact
These meetings provided an outstanding opportunity to engage with researchers, clinicians, trialists, industry partners, advocates, and people with lived experience from around the world. The scientific discussions and collaborations formed are essential to advancing mechanistic understanding, biomarker development, therapeutic innovation, and clinical trial readiness in Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
We look forward to building on these connections as we continue working toward improved diagnostics, precision therapeutics, and disease-modifying strategies for people living with Parkinson’s disease.

#QUT #TRI #ParkinsonsDisease #ParkinsonsResearch #ParkinsonsAustralia #ParkinsonsAwareness #PDResearch #PDCommunity #Synucleinopathy #AlphaSynuclein #Neurodegeneration #MovementDisorders #TranslationalNeuroscience #TranslationalResearch #Neuroscience #ClinicalTrials #ClinicalTrialsAustralia #Biomarkers #DiseaseProgression #DrugRepurposing #DiseaseModifyingTherapies #Neurotherapeutics #PreclinicalResearch #MedicalResearch #HealthResearch #ResearchAustralia #AustralianResearch #QueenslandResearch #BrisbaneResearch #QueenslandHealth #MetroSouthHealth #PrincessAlexandraHospital #ShakeItUpAustralia #MJFF #WesleyResearch #WorldParkinsonCongress #WPC2026 #FightParkinsons #ParkinsonsQueensland #UQCCR

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

The Translational Neuroscience Lab was proud to contribute to #MDSICON2026 and the inaugural #FNDSAOS Symposium in Faridabad, India, with a strong multidisciplinary presence advancing research and clinical care in #FND and #FunctionalMovementDisorders.

Dr Arianne Valerio presented on culturally informed FND interventions for Asia, while Dr Alex Lehn spoke on rule-in diagnosis in Functional Movement Disorders, highlighting the value of positive clinical signs and clinically grounded reasoning in accurate, timely diagnosis.

Together with Schible Jurian, Dafydd Llewelyn, Vamshi Billakanti and Annette Denny, this reflected a strong contribution to international scientific exchange and evidence-informed practice.

#MDSICON2026 #FNDS #FNDSAOS #FND #FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder #FunctionalMovementDisorders #MovementDisorders #Neurology #Neuroscience #ClinicalResearch #MedicalResearch #TranslationalResearch #GlobalHealth #BrainHealth #ResearchCollaboration #ResearchAustralia #QueenslandHealth #Brisbane #MetroSouthHealth #PrincessAlexandraHospital #QUT #TRI #FightParkinsons #ParkinsonsAwareness #ParkinsonsQueensland

[Parkinson's QLD Inc. @ParkinsonsQLD]

The Future of Parkinson’s Care: Together We Lead the Way

🎟 Find out more and register here:
https://t.co/iHQRGjasXW

@gordon_neurolab
@tri_australia
@qutrealworld
@Uniofqld
@qimrb_institute
@princessalexandranhs
@qldgov

#ParkinsonsQueensland

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

Join us for The Future of Parkinson’s Care: Together We Lead the Way on 11 April, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM at the @TRI Auditorium, Woolloongabba.
A community event for people living with Parkinson’s, families, carers, and supporters. Hear the latest research updates, connect with experts, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of care.
Free covered parking + morning tea provided
RSVP: https://t.co/5wYtiMubU3
With thanks to sponsor Boston Scientific and collaborators @parkinsonsqld @parkinsonsaus @fightparkinsons @Parkinsonalliance @TRI @QUT @quthealth
#MDSANZCTN #Parkinsons #ParkinsonsDisease #ParkinsonsAustralia #ParkinsonsQueensland #PDCommunity #MovementDisorders #ClinicalTrials #ClinicalTrialsAustralia #MedicalResearch #TranslationalResearch #Neuroscience #PatientEngagement #ResearchAustralia #QueenslandHealth #Brisbane #MetroSouthHealth #PrincessAlexandraHospital #QUT #TRI #FightParkinsons #ParkinsonsAwareness

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

Hope in Motion – Advancing Movement Disorder Research Together Hosted by the Movement Disorder Society of Australia & New Zealand Clinical Trials Network (MDSANZ CTN)

A public webinar bringing together people living with Parkinson’s, families, clinicians & researchers to share the latest in AU/NZ movement disorder research and clinical trials.

📅 Tue 21 Apr 2026 | ⏰ 5:30pm AEST | 💻 Zoom Register: https://t.co/MgtwzfT7QU
#ParkinsonsAustralia #PDCommunity #ClinicalTrials #TranslationalResearch #MDSANZCTN #QUT #TRI #ParkinsonsQueensland #ParkinsonsNSW #ShakeItUpAustralia #FightParkinsons

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

A strong year of translational impact in Parkinson’s disease research, driven by collaboration, scientific excellence, and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for people living with Parkinson’s.

We thank our collaborators, funders, and community partners for their continued support.

#TranslationalNeuroscience #ParkinsonsResearch #Neuroscience #ResearchImpact #TogetherForACure #HopeForParkinsons #ParkinsonsDisease

@ParkinsonsQLD @ParkinsonsAus @FightParkinsons @QUT @shakeitupaust @QUTHealthEngage @tri_australia

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

🧠✨ Great week at #ANSConference2025! Our lab shared new research, connected with brilliant neuroscientists, and explored exciting advances in neurodegeneration. Looking forward to new collaborations and discoveries ahead.

#Neuroscience #QUT #TRI #ParkinsonsDisease #MNDResearch #ShakeItUpAustralia #DoD #GutHealth ##ParkinsonsResearch #LivingWellWithParkinsons #ParkinsonsDisease #MicrobiomeResearch #ParkinsonsAwareness #InnovativeResearch

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

Meet Dr. Man Kumar Tamang!

One of our postdoctoral fellows, originally from the beautiful country of Nepal✨

With a Master’s in Clinical Biochemistry and a PhD in Neurobiology from The University of Queensland, he now investigates how the loss of a newly discovered immune protein may contribute to Parkinson’s disease. 🧠🔬

A former clinical biochemist, a passionate researcher, a football lover, a guitarist; and a proud father of two. 🎸⚽️👨‍👧‍👦

It was also his birthday last week! 🎂🎈

We’re lucky to have him on the Translational Neuroscience team!

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

The #RedThreadProject by @WorldPDCongress celebrates the connections that unite us — from labs to lives.

Wonderful to see Sheenagh Bottrell, Dr Sarah Davies, and A/Prof Richard Gordon together with Parky the Raccoon 🦝 — proudly representing Australia and the spirit of #WPC2026!

#Parkinsons #RedThreadChallenge #QUT #TRI #TeamScience #TogetherForParkinsons

#WPC2026!

#Parkinsons #RedThreadChallenge #QUT #TRI #TeamScience

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

🎉 We’re proud to be organising the “Advancing Parkinson’s Care – Toowoomba 2025” event in collaboration with @ParkinsonsQLD!
📅 Nov 29, 2025 | University of Southern Queensland
A full day of connection, education & empowerment for people living with Parkinson’s, carers, & clinicians.
🎟️ Tickets: https://t.co/O7L1RccYVE

@parkinsonsqld @parkinsonsaus @FightParkinsons @TRI @QUT @quthealth
#ParkinsonsQueensland #AdvancingParkinsonsCare #ToowoombaEvent #ParkinsonsAwareness #HealthEducation #MedicalResearch #TogetherForACure #Neuroscience #ResearchMatters

[Parkinson's QLD Inc. @ParkinsonsQLD]

This one-day event brings together people living with Parkinson’s, families, carers and health professionals.
🎟️ Get your tickets now at: https://t.co/Y3XmPakLWy
@abbottglobal
@unisqaus
@gordon_neurolab
@tri_australia
@qutrealworld

#ParkinsonsQLD #InThisTogether #APC2025

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

🌟 Join Us Tomorrow for an Exciting Movement Disorders Webinar! 🌟
We’re proud to be strongly represented at the Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand (MDSANZ) Clinical Trial Network’s public webinar tomorrow!
🎤 Hear from our very own experts:
A/Prof Richard Gordon – Transitional Neuroscience lab Program Lead
A/Prof Alex Lehn – director of the Movement Disorder Specialist clinic at PAH
Aishwarya Johnson – PhD Candidate
🧠 The session will explore current and upcoming clinical trials and the latest research breakthroughs in the field of movement disorders, followed by an interactive Q&A session with the speakers.
🗓 When: Tomorrow, 5:30–6:30 p.m. (AEST)
💻 Join via Zoom: https://t.co/PhSLxHWyuq
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from leading experts and emerging researchers driving innovation in movement disorder research!
More details: https://t.co/t75BVvq6FE

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

Meet Rachel Strazdins!
Rachel is originally from Rochester, NY, USA, and comes to us with a background in Biochemistry. She played Division 1 lacrosse at Monmouth University in New Jersey, where she earned her Bachelor of Science, before joining the University of Rochester’s PREP Program to study Toxicology.
Now, Rachel has joined our team as a PhD student, where she’ll be working on validating RRx-001 as a potential countermeasure for Parkinson’s disease linked to military-related toxic exposures.
Outside the lab, Rachel enjoys yoga, painting, and spending time with friends. She has always wanted to live in Australia, so we’re excited to have her here with us as she starts this new chapter!

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

🎓 Advancing Parkinson’s Care Through Education 🧠
We’re excited to share the success of our recent Parkinson’s Disease Educational Update, held on August 18th at Roma Hospital (Queensland). This event, thoughtfully organized by our Clinical Trial Manager, Dr. Jessika Suescun, brought together healthcare professionals for an engaging session on the latest clinical insights and evidence-based approaches to Parkinson’s care.
Delivered in collaboration with Queensland Health and Parkinson’s Queensland, the program highlighted our shared commitment to community outreach, clinical excellence, and the continuous advancement of care for those living with Parkinson’s disease.
We believe that education empowers action—and this initiative is a reflection of our research mission: to improve lives through knowledge, collaboration, and compassion.
💡 Together, we’re building a stronger, better-informed healthcare community—one step closer to better outcomes for all.

#ParkinsonsDisease #ParkinsonsAwareness #MovementDisorders #Neurology #NeurodegenerativeDiseases #ClinicalEducation #MedicalEducation #HealthcareProfessionals #ContinuingEducation #ClinicalResearch #ClinicalTrials #EvidenceBasedCare #TranslationalResearch #CommunityOutreach #PatientCare #HealthEquity #BetterOutcomes #IntegratedCare #ResearchImpact #ResearchMatters #QueenslandHealth #ParkinsonsQueensland #RomaHospital #KnowledgeIsPower #NeuroscienceResearch # #BrainHealth #QUT #TRI
@parkinsonsqld @parkinsonsaus @fightparkinsons.au @Parkinsonalliance @translationalresearchinstitute @qutrealworld

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

🎉 Big Congratulations to Divya Onkar Mondhe🎉
Last week, we proudly watched Divya, one of our talented PhD students, deliver her confirmation presentation—a major milestone on the journey to a doctorate.
Her presentation received outstanding feedback, a true testament to the rigor, clarity, and passion she brings to her research. We’re thrilled to share that she is now an official PhD candidate!
Her research focuses on investigating gut microbial dysbiosis in an Australian cohort of Parkinson’s disease patients, with the aim of targeting key microbial pathways to develop disease-modifying therapies.
We couldn’t be prouder of her achievement and can’t wait to see where her project leads next. 🌟👏
#PhDCandidate #ResearchExcellence #ProudLabMoment #WomenInSTEM #AcademicMilestones#QUT #QUTResearch #TranslationalResearchInstitute #ParkinsonsResearch #Neuroscience #ParkinsonsDisease #BrainHealth

[WPC 2026 @WorldPDCongress]

Breaking News! WPC 2026 abstract submission is now open for the 7th World Parkinson Congress in Phoenix, Arizona from May 24 - 27, 2026.

Learn more: https://t.co/xi9yT5zLdT

#wpc2026 #Parkinsons #Neuroscience

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

We were deeply honoured to join Shake It Up Australia at their Brisbane luncheon last Thursday to share an update on our latest research into Parkinson’s disease.
We’re incredibly grateful to Shake It Up Australia for their unwavering commitment—not just to funding research, but to building a community of hope, momentum, and impact.
Their message continues to resonate with us:
“Together, we can shake things up for Parkinson’s and bring hope to millions.”
That spirit of collaboration fuels every step we take in exploring the complexities of Parkinson’s, including groundbreaking work on the gut-brain axis and beyond. It’s a powerful reminder that real change happens when researchers, patients, families, and advocates stand united.
Let’s continue driving forward—together.
#ShakeItUpAustralia #ParkinsonsResearch #HopeForParkinsons #MedicalResearch #TogetherForACure #Neuroscience #Gratitude #ResearchMatters #GutBrainAxis
@parkinsonsqld @parkinsonsaus @fightparkinsons.au @Parkinsonalliance @TRI @QUT @ShakeItUpAustralia

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

🧠✨ What a night! We’re proud to share that Dr. Kunal Bhatt from our lab delivered a fantastic talk at Pint of Science – Brains, Bugs, and Breakthrough Cures last week at Archive Beer Boutique in Brisbane.
Dr. Bhatt explored the incredible science behind a repurposed cancer drug, showing how its anti-inflammatory properties could lead to groundbreaking treatments for brain health. The audience was engaged, the questions were thought-provoking, and the beer wasn't bad either! 🍻
A huge thank you to @PintAU for creating such a vibrant space for science communication, and to everyone who came out to support!
#PintAU #GutBrainAxis #Neuroscience #MicrobiomeResearch #ScienceOutreach #PublicEngagement #MicrobiomeMatters #MentalHealthResearch #ScienceInThePub #BrainsAndBugs #KunalBhatt #TranslationalResearch #PintOfScience
@parkinsonsqld @parkinsonsaus @fightparkinsonsau @Parkinsonalliance @TRI @QUT

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

🎉 Unlocking New Possibilities: A Webinar Series on the Latest Advances in Parkinson's Research 🧠
We’re proud to launch this special webinar series as part of our mission to raise awareness, funds, and hope for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Organised by The Gordon Lab in collaboration with Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. (PQI), this series highlights the latest scientific breakthroughs and clinical innovations in Parkinson’s research—bringing expert knowledge directly to the community.
🌟 Why it matters:
PQI is dedicated to improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s in Queensland through education, support services, advocacy, and research funding. Every webinar ticket helps us move closer to a future without Parkinson’s.
📅 When: Saturday mornings | May–June 2025
🖥️ Where: Online (link provided after registration)
⏱️ Format: 45-minute presentation + 15-minute live Q&A
💵 Cost: $10 per webinar — 100% of proceeds go to PQI
👥 What to expect:
Each week features a leading researcher or clinician sharing game-changing insights into Parkinson’s—from microbiome research to neuroprotective therapies and patient-centred innovations.
🔗 Register now and help us spread the word:
https://t.co/2ajLAhdAaj
Let’s raise awareness. Let’s raise funds. Let’s advance research—together.
Special thanks to Jessika Suescun (Clinical Trial Manager) and Aishwarya Johnson (PhD student) for their leadership in making this series possible.
#ParkinsonsAwareness #PDResearch #PQI #GordonLab #WebinarSeries #FundParkinsonsResearch #BrainHealth #Neuroscience #FutureOfMedicine #ResearchCollaboration
@parkinsonsqld @parkinsonsaus @fightparkinsons.au @Parkinsonalliance @TRI @QUT

[Translational Neuroscience Laboratory @Gordon_NeuroLab]

We had an amazing day last Monday hosting a bake sale fundraiser for @ParkinsonsQLD in support of Parkinson’s Awareness Month! 🧁💜
Thanks to the generosity of our TRI community and friends, we raised an incredible $729! 🎉
A huge thank you to everyone who baked, bought, donated, and helped spread the word — your support made this event truly special.
A special shoutout to the TRI Events Team for their incredible help and for setting up the EFTPOS facilities to make giving even easier!
Together, we're raising awareness, building community, and making a real difference for people living with Parkinson’s. 💪✨
#ParkinsonsAwareness #BakeSale #Fundraiser #TRI #QUT #CommunitySupport #ParkinsonsQLD #TogetherForParkinsons #MakingADifference #ResearchMatters