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Researcher

Dr Karly Turner

My Expertise

Behavioural Neuroscience

Learning

Attention

Decision-making

Habits

Impulsivity

Fields of Research (FoR)

Behavioural neuroscience, Neurosciences, Biological psychology, Animal behaviour, Decision making, Cognition, Learning, motivation and emotion, Animal Behaviour, Biological Psychology (Neuropsychology, Psychopharmacology, Physiological Psychology), Mental Health

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Biography

I am a behavioural neuroscientist interested in cognitive processes that go awry in neuropsychiatric disorders. Using animal models I study the brain circuits underlying attention, learning and decision-making. We use sophisticated behavioural paradigms to dissect the psychological mechanisms underlying complex behaviour, in combination with various tools including chemogenetics, optogenetics and pharmacology to manipulate brain circuits. I am...view more

I am a behavioural neuroscientist interested in cognitive processes that go awry in neuropsychiatric disorders. Using animal models I study the brain circuits underlying attention, learning and decision-making. We use sophisticated behavioural paradigms to dissect the psychological mechanisms underlying complex behaviour, in combination with various tools including chemogenetics, optogenetics and pharmacology to manipulate brain circuits. I am particularly interested in translational preclinical mental health research to bridge the bench to bedside gap, with my current project focused on understanding habits, impulsive and compulsive responding in disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia.


My Grants

2024-2028 NHMRC Ideas Grant

2023 BBRF NARSAD Young Investigator Grant

2021-2023 UNSW Safety Net Fellowship

2021 UNSW Science Covid-19 Strategic Support Grant

2017-2021 NHMRC CJ Martin Early Career Fellowship

2019 Goldstar Award, UNSW Faculty of Science

 


My Qualifications

PhD (Neuroscience), Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, 2016

Bachelor of Science (Zoology) Honours Class I, The University of Queensland, 2007

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), The University of Queensland, 2006


My Awards

  • 2021: 1st Prize, Postdoc presentation, Stay Connected Neuro

  • 2019: IBNS Travel Award

  • 2018: Charles Slater Travel Award, University of Cambridge

  • 2018: IBRO International Travel Grant

  • 2018: FENS-IBRO/PERC Travel Grant

  • 2017: Guarantors of Brain Travel Grant

  • 2015-2016: QBI Top-up Scholarship, QBI, The University of Queensland

  • 2014: Best Short Talk Prize, QBI Graduate Student Symposium

  • 2014: SfN Chapter Travel Award, Society for Neuroscience

  • 2014: ANS Student Travel Award, Australian Neuroscience Society

  • 2013: Runner-up and People’s Choice Award, 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, QBI

  • 2013: ANS Student Travel Award, Australian Neuroscience Society

  • 2012: ATSE Young Science Ambassador Award, Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering

  • 2012: Istvan Tork Student Oral Prize, Australian Neuroscience Society

  • 2012-2016: Australian Postgraduate Award, Australian Government

  • 2012-2015: Smart Futures PhD Scholarship Award, Queensland Government


My Research Activities

For publications see my Google Scholar page


My Research Supervision


Areas of supervision

I am looking for Honours, Masters or PhD students. Please email me if you are interested.

Past Students:

  • 2023: Sophie Welch, Honours I, "Refining the measurement of habits"

  • 2022: Kelly Marr, Honours 2a, "The role of discriminative stimuli on habitual behaviour in the laboratory rat"

  • 2020: Vanessa Huang, Honours I, "The roles of medial and orbitofrontal cortex to nucleus accumbens pathways in the performance of instrumental actions"

  • 2018: Anna Svegborn, Undergraduate Research Project, University of Cambridge 

  • 2016: Mia Langguth, Honours I, “The effect of developmental vitamin D deficiency on behaviour in mouse models with relevance to Autism Spectrum Disorders” 

  • 2015: Kyna-Anne Conn, Honours I, “Reverse translation of a cognitive task in rodents” 

  • 2014: Kyna-Anne Conn, Undergraduate Research Project 

  • 2013: James Peak, Honours I, “The impact of developmental vitamin D deficiency on risk-based decision-making: modelling the negative and neurocognitive symptoms of schizophrenia”


Currently supervising

Honours -  Maddison Fisher

PhD - Mia Langguth (University of Sydney)

Phd/Master - Sophie Welch


My Engagement

Various activities including Young Science Ambassador for Wonders of Science Program in schools by ATSE; public demonstrations at events such as BRAINFest and university open days; lab tours and demonstrations for visitors from schools (NYSF, Brain Bee Competition) and university events; 2021 UNSW Women in Math and Science Champion.

Media interviews:

Neuroscience of habits: ABC Science

Breaking bad habits: Sunrise, Channel 7


My Teaching

  • 2023-present: PSYC4093/4103, Honours elective, Course coordinator
  • 2023-present: PSYC5005, Graduate Diploma Course, Course coordinator
  • 2020-present: NEUR4411, Lecturer
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Location

Office 404, Mathews Building