Keywords
Fields of Research (FoR)
Central Nervous System, NeurosciencesSEO tags
Biography
Dr Vibeke Catts is the Research Manager the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), UNSW Sydney. In this role she supports the Co-Directors and CHeBA researchers to perform their research effectively, with a particular emphasis on research governance and liaison with relevant regulatory bodies. Dr Catts manages the CHeBA Research Bank, facilitating the sharing of data collected as part of the Memory and Ageing Study (MAS), the Sydney...view more
Dr Vibeke Catts is the Research Manager the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), UNSW Sydney. In this role she supports the Co-Directors and CHeBA researchers to perform their research effectively, with a particular emphasis on research governance and liaison with relevant regulatory bodies. Dr Catts manages the CHeBA Research Bank, facilitating the sharing of data collected as part of the Memory and Ageing Study (MAS), the Sydney Centenarian Study (SCS) and the Older Australian Twins Study (OATS) - all longitudinal studies of ageing with assessments across multiple research domains: neuropsychological assessment of cognitive function, questionnaires detailing lifestyle, physical and mental health of self and family, blood biochemistry and genetics, and neuroimaging including MRI and PET scans. Prior to taking up her position at the CHeBA Research Manager, Dr Catts was the study coordinator for OATS, a longitudinal twin study aiming to determine the genetic and environmental influences on the ageing process, and the extent to which these determinants interact.
Meet Our Researcher
Click here to read Dr Vibeke Catts's ‘Meet Our Researcher’ interview
My Grants
University of New South Wales Gold Star (2014) Is the blood brain barrier compromised in schizophrenia. $40,000. with C Shannon Weickert, M Webster, S Fillman, TW Weickert.
Schizophrenia Research Institute (2013) Neurobiology of cortical thinning in schizophrenia. $16,100. with C Shannon Weickert, Y Zhang, K Newell & N Matosin.
UNSW Major Research Equipment & Infrastructure Scheme (2012) xCELLigence DP Real Time Cell Analysis (RTCA) System. $65,000. with J Fullerton, K Sidhu & C Shannon Weickert.
Cure Cancer Australia (2011) The anti-cancer effects of cholesterol trafficking and synthesis inhibitors as co-drugs in an in vivo glioblastoma multiforme model. AU$90,000. with LH Lutze-Mann, M Morris, E Hovey & M Lavin.
The Stanley Medical Research Institute (2009-2011). FAS-cinating changes in a death receptor pathway in schizophrenia. US$140,607. with C Shannon Weickert.
Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation (2006). Establishment of the Neuroplasticity Facility for Psychotic Disorders, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. $18,000. with SV Catts & GN Elston.
Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation (2003) Morphological studies of post-mortem brain tissue in schizophrenia. $14,150. with SV Catts, KD Bedi & GN Elston.
Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation (2002) A functional genomics centre for psychotic disorders. $14,203. with LH Lutze-Mann & SV Catts.
Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation (2001) Molecular genetic investigations of the causes of schizophrenia. $15,000. with LH Lutze-Mann & SV Catts.
My Qualifications
2006 Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Science), University of Queensland. Thesis title: Cell death and proliferation in mental disorder.
1999 Bachelor of Science with Honours, Class I (Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics), University of New South Wales. Thesis title: Elucidation of glucocorticoid resistance mechanisms in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
My Awards
2013 Participant of the 2013 Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank “Inspiring smarter brain research in Australia”, hosted by the Australian Academy of Science, Melbourne
2011 Dean’s Rising Star Award, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales
2007 Young Investigator Award, International Congress on Schizophrenia Research
2001 Australian Postgraduate Award
My Research Activities
As the CHeBA ResearchManager, I support the Co-Directors and Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) researchers to perform their research effectively, with a particular emphasis on research governance and liaison with relevant regulatory bodies. I also manage data sharing via the CHeBA Research Bank.
As part of my work with the Older Australian Twins Study (OATS), I provided support to investigators, staff and students, to facilitate their research. Two Independent Learning Project students under my supervision investigated longitudinal changes in cognitive function and exploring the factors that contribute to cognitive decline in older age.
Prior to joining CHeBA, I held a Post-Doctoral appointment at Neuroscience Research Australia, where I researched molecular and cellular pathology in blood and postmortem brain tissue from individuals with schizophrenia. During my post-doc in the Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, I supervised four higher degree students.
In collaboration with Professor Lutze-Mann, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, I led an investigation of antipsychotic drugs as potential treatments for glioblastoma using cell cultures and a rodent brain tumour model. The work was supported by a grant by Cure Cancer Australia and the work of two PhD candidates.
My Research Supervision
Supervision keywords
Areas of supervision
Older Australian Twins Study (OATS) provides stellar opportunities to determine the genetic and environmental influences on the ageing process. OATS, and our other longitudinal studies of ageing, assess participants across multiple research domains: neuropsychological assessment of cognitive function, questionnaires detailing lifestyle, physical and mental health of self and family, blood biochemistry and genetics, and neuroimaging including MRI and PET scans. We also participate in several global consortia, which provides access to the large datasets required to address omic-related research questions. We welcome expressions of interest from any HDR candidate interested in brain ageing.
Location
UNSW Medicine, Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health
Level 1, AGSM (G27)
Gate 11, Botany Street
UNSW SYDNEY NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA
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ORCID as entered in ROS
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9892-0547