Researcher

Dr Teri McLean Furlong

Keywords

neurosciences

basal ganglia diseases

prefrontal cortex

brainstem

dopamine sytems in drug addiction and disease

associative learning

Fields of Research (FoR)

Behavioural neuroscience, Neurosciences, Cognition

Biography

I graduated with a PhD from the University of New South Wales in 2007. I then completed a number of post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Sydney, Neuroscience Research Australia and the University of Utah. In 2020, I was appointed as a combined track (teaching & research) academic in the Department of Anatomy, where I lead the Brain and Behaviour Research group, School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW. My research examines neuroanatomical...view more

I graduated with a PhD from the University of New South Wales in 2007. I then completed a number of post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Sydney, Neuroscience Research Australia and the University of Utah. In 2020, I was appointed as a combined track (teaching & research) academic in the Department of Anatomy, where I lead the Brain and Behaviour Research group, School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW. My research examines neuroanatomical and behavioural changes associated with psychological disorders. I am particularly interested in basal ganglia-related disorders and currently investigate Parkinson’s disease, autism, and drug addiction. Specifically, some of my current research activities include examining potential toxins found in food as models of Parkinson’s disease, and examining the neural basis of compulsive behaviour. I manage a team of undergraduate research students (Honours) and PhD students, and I am the co-convenor of the Neuroscience Honours program.

My Grants

2021: Alkaloids derived from Phalaris plants as a novel model of alpha-synucleinopathy. UNSW Medicine Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addictions Theme seed grant. Dr Furlong, Dr Tayebi, Dr Merlin, Prof Carrive, Prof Killcross, Dr Harman. $40,000.

2021-2023: Bioinspired Flexible Haptic Memory Materials for Artificial Sensory Nerves. ARC Discovery Project. A/Prof Chu, Dr Peng, Dr Cazorla, Dr Furlong, Dr Wu. $381,000.

2020-2022: Multi-modal, multi-scale mapping of the brain. UNSW-CAS Collaborative Research Seed Program. Dr Furlong, Prof Jiang, Prof Fan. $50,000

2020-2021: Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in executive function and decision-making. UNSW Medicine Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addictions Theme seed grant. Dr Walker, Prof Eapen, Dr Furlong, Prof Clarke, Prof Balleine, Dr Merlin, A/Prof Karl. $40,000.

2019-2021: Characterising deficits in brain development associated with the IMMP2L gene knockdown. ARC strategic Initiative Project- Centre of Excellence. Prof Paxinos, Dr Furlong, Dr Merlin, Prof Balleine. $86,000.

2018-2021: Preventing the effect of high-calorie food on habitual eating using an orexin-1 receptor antagonist. Rebecca L. Cooper Foundation Grant. Dr Furlong. $100,000.

2019-2021: Utilizing a DREADDs approach to treat the motor and cognitive symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s NSW seed grant. Dr Furlong, Dr Merlin. $55,000.

2018: L-dopa and dopamine dysregulation syndrome in Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s NSW seed grant. Dr Furlong, Prof Balleine, Prof Paxinos. $20,000.

2018-2019: Distribution and function of inhibitory interneurons in the cortex as a function of age. ARC Strategic Initiative Project- Centre of Excellence. Prof Paxinos, Dr Furlong, Dr Merlin. $30,000.