www.sysneuro.org mirrors a University of Melbourne domain
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Maria Di Biase awarded Al and Val Rosenstrauss Fellowship
Maria was awarded the 2025 Al and Val Rosenstrauss Fellowship from the Rebecca L. Cooper Foundation. The Fellowship provides 5 years of research support. Congrats Maria!
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ARC DECRA Fellowship awarded to Caio Seguin!
Congrats to Caio on award of the ARC DECRA Fellowship. Commencing in 2025, Caio's fellowship will focus on modeling interregional communication in brain networks, particularly in response to brain stimulation.
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OptiStim clinical trial funded for $2.5M
Congrats to Robin Cash and team! The OptiStim trial will evaluate the efficacy of fMRI-guided personalisation of TMS therapy for depression. Robin was interviewed by Channel 9 News about the research trial.
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New research out in Nature Mental Health
Connie Nga Yan Tse and Ye Tian each published work in Nature Mental Health. Connie undertook a mega-analysis of brain connectivity in youth depression and Ye mapped pathways linking organ and brain health across different psychiatric disorders.
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NHMRC EL1 success! - Ye Tian
Well done to Ye on award of the NHMRC EL1 Investigator Grant, commencing in 2024. Ye intends to establish fundamental biological knowledge about the interplay between brain and body health in psychiatry.
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ARC DECRA Fellowship awarded to Remika Mito!
Remika will join the Systems Group in 2024 with the support of the ARC DECRA Fellowship. Remika's fellowship will focus on harmonization of diffusion MRI scans. Welcome and congrats Remika!
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Brain network communication review out in Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Caio's review is out in Nature Reviews Neuroscience. A comprehensive review of network communication models for brain networks.
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ENIGMA Meditation founded!
Saampras Ganesan founds and co-chairs the ENIGMA Meditation Working Group. The group will focus on understanding the neural underpinnings of contemplative practices.
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Ye Tian interviewed on ABC TV News
Ye was interviewed by ABC TV News, SBS, SKY News and several other media about her work on brain and body aging. Her research challenges the belief that age is determined by your date of birth.
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40,000 connectomes mapped
Sina Mansour, Caio Seguin and collaborators completed mapping structural and functional connectomes for 40,000 UK Biobank participants. Connectomes are now openly available to UKB users.
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Dr Sina Mansour awarded PhD
Sina was awarded his PhD today! Congrats Sina!
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CSC grant awarded to Saampras Ganesan!
Sampraas Ganesan was awarded the CSC and CSC+ grants to enhance meditation training for beginner meditators using functional MRI neurofeedback.
News
Our researchers in the news...
- Enhancing meditation training for beginner meditators using functional MRI neurofeedback, June 2024
- Electricity flow in the human brain can be predicted using the simple maths of networks, new study reveals, The Conversation, March 2023
TMS therapy for depression
- Brain scan study identifies potential targets to treat youths with severe depression, The Guardian, September2024
- Mapping patients’ brains to better target magnetic stimulation depression treatment, Unimelb News, June 2024
- Dr Robin Cash on Channel 9 News Melbourne, Channel 9 News, June 2024
- $1.6m NHMRC grant awarded to advance treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, Ingenium Magazine, October 2022
From electrical engineering to neuroscience & psychiatry
- Q&A with Andrew Zalesky, Q&A, Nature Mental Health, September 2024
Body and brain health in psychiatry
- Determining pathways that link brain, body, lifestyle and mental health, Research Briefing, Nature Mental Health, September 2024
- Pathways linking organ and brain health, and impacts to mental health revealed, Unimelb News, August 2024
- Poor physical health associated with depression through link to brain, research shows, The Guardian, August 2024
- A need for a holistic approach to mental healthcare, Research Highlight, Nature Mental Health, June 2023
- Does the body keep the score? Our brains and bodies are more linked than we knew, The Sydney Morning Herald, May 2023
- Poor Body Health May Indicate Poor Mental Health—Experts Discuss Mind-Body Connection, health.com, May 2023
- Evaluation of Brain-Body Health in Individuals With Common Neuropsychiatric Disorders, JAMA Psychiatry Interviews with John Torous, April 2023
Biological organ aging
- What is your real biological age?, Women's Weekly, October 2023
- How working out your 'ageotype' could help you live healthier for longer, New Scientist, August 2023
- Human Organs Age at Different Rates, proto.life, May 2023
- How old are your internal organs?, Pursuit, April 2023
- How a few simple tests could tell youthe biological age of your organs, The Australian, April 2023
- The reason you might not be the age you think you are, SBS News, April 2023
- Lifestyle factors play key role in keeping ‘biological age’ young, SKY News Interview, April 2023
Mapping the human subcortex
- Mapping the terra incognita of our brains, Pursuit, September 2020
We use neuroimaging techniques to conduct research into the human brain in health and mental illness. We develop advanced computational models and tools to study brain networks and systems, and apply the knowledge gained from these studies to develop improved brain stimulation and other therapies.
Emerging areas in our group include in vitro neuronal networks [Maria], brain-body interactions [Ye], transcranial magnetic stimulation [Robin], diffusion MRI [Remika] and network communication [Caio].
Our researchers integrate expertise from a range of disciplines, including neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, engineering and computer science.
Our Values
- Research excellence - we are committed to conducting research of the highest quality and impact.
- Research training - we are dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and engineers.
- Inclusiveness - we welcome a range of views and promote a supportive research culture of mutual respect.
- Interdisciplinarity - we are an interdisciplinary group and welcome researchers from diverse academic backgrounds.
- Making a difference - we are driven by the desire to create positive change and improve the lives of people suffering with mental illness.
Our Location
Our researchers and students are located at the University of Melbourne and based within the Faculties of Engineering and Medicine. We belong to the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Psychiatry and Department of Anatomy and Physiology. Most of our researchers are located on Level 3 of the Alan Gilbert Building.
Our History
Systems Neuropsychiatry was established as one of five research streams within the Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre in 2011. Led by Alex Fornito and Andrew Zalesky, the stream focussed on connectome analysis in health and disease. In 2014, Alex moved on from the University of Melbourne, while Andrew continued heading the research stream. The stream grew steadily during 2017-19, supported by a series of research grants and the onboarding of its first postdoctoral researchers. It became known as the Systems Group in 2019, and Maria Di Biase was named co-head in 2022. Though the group maintained its emphasis on brain networks and systems during this growth period, it also diversified its research to include therapeutic brain stimulation, brain-body interactions, and in vitro neuronal networks.
Researchers
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Co-head, ARC Future Fellow
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Co-head, Al and Val Rosenstrauss Fellow
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NHMRC EL2 Senior Research Fellow
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NHMRC EL1 Senior Research Fellow
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ARC DECRA Research Fellow
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ARC DECRA Research Fellow
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Postdoctoral Researcher
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Postdoctoral Researcher (2025 onwards)
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NHMRC EL2 Research Fellow (ORYGEN)
Visiting Scholars
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Dr Bianca Mazini, Visiting Radiologist, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Dr Martin Tik, Visiting Researcher, Vienna, Austria
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Ms Camille Servin, Visiting PhD Scholar, Barcelona, Spain
Graduate Students
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Yalda Amirmoezzi-Jahromi, PhD student, Psychiatry
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Divya Degamia, Honours student, Psychiatry
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Saampras Ganesan, PhD student, Biomedical Engineering
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Cassandra Hoffmann, PhD student, Psychiatry
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Hadis Jameei, PhD student, Psychiatry
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Yihang Jiao, PhD student, Engineering
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Wonyoung Kim, PhD student, Psychiatry
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Jackson Lee, PhD student, Psychiatry
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Yuanzhe Liu, PhD student, Biomedical Engineering
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Varun Mohan, PhD student, Biomedical Engineering
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Mariia (Masha) Ptukha, PhD student, Orygen
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Sunny Sangar, Masters student, Psychiatry
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Nga Yan (Connie) Tse, PhD student, Psychiatry
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Hsing-Yi Wu, Masters student, Psychiatry
Alumni
Researchers
- Dr Jinglei Lv, 2018-19
- Dr Paul Klauser, 2015-16
Visiting International Researchers
- Dr Sisi Jiang, 2024, China
- Dr Chris Ma, 2024
- Ms Nina Dijkstra, 2023, Netherlands
- Dr Tim van Balkom, 2022, Netherlands
- Dr Thomas Bolton, 2020, Switzerland
- Dr Pierpaolo Sorrentino, 2019-20, Italy
- Dr Kavinash Loganathan, 2019, Malaysia
- Dr Gina Monteverde, 2018, Mexico
- Dr Patrick Friedrich, 2017-18, Germany
- Dr Nabi Zorlu, 2017, Turkey
- Dr Koji Kamagata, 2016-17, Japan
- Dr Edwin Van Dellen, 2016, Netherlands
- Dr Yuri Masaoka, 2014-15, Japan
- Dr Naoyuki Katagiri, 2014, Japan
- Dr Esther Via, 2014, Spain
- Dr Soon-Beom Hong, 2012-13, Korea
PhD Graduates
- Dr Bec Cooper, PhD, 2023
- Dr Sina Mansour, PhD, 2022
- Dr Divyangana Rakesh, PhD, 2021
- Dr Cassandra Wannan, PhD, 2021
- Dr Ye Tian, PhD, 2020
- Dr Tabinda Sarwar, PhD, 2020
- Dr Xin Wang, PhD, 2020 (Exchange Student)
- Dr Caio Seguin, PhD, 2019
- Dr Akhil Kottaram, PhD, 2018
- Dr Maria Di Biase, PhD, 2018
- Dr Ellie Ganella, PhD, 2017
Honours and Masters Graduates
(2016 onwards)
- Yasmin Gurleyen, MSc, 2024
- Huizheng Cao, MSc, 2024
- Amelia Italiano, MSc, 2024
- Ruiwen Yang, MSc, 2023
- Yijun Wang, MSc, 2023
- Naomi Kebble, Hons, 2022
- Hua Ye, MSc, 2021
- Holly Pedersen, MSc, 2021
- Kyle Reece, MSc, 2021
- Mabrur Rahman, Hons, 2021
- Jonathan Cavallo, Hons, 2020
- Yumeng Wu, MSc, 2021
- Kav Fernando, Hons, 2019
- Saampras Ganesan, MEng, 2019
- Emin Serin, MSc, 2019 (Exchange Student)
- Ian Hsu, MEng, 2018
- Shervyn Silvapulle, Hons, 2016
Research
We use neuroimaging techniques to conduct research into the human brain in health and mental illness. We develop advanced computational models and tools to study brain networks and systems, and apply the knowledge gained from these studies to develop improved brain stimulation and other therapies. Emerging areas in our group include in vitro neuronal networks, brain-body interactions, transcranial magnetic stimulation, diffusion MRI and network communication. Our researchers integrate expertise from a range of disciplines, including neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, engineering and computer science.
Projects
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Structure-function coupling in the connectome
Use advanced network communication models to investigate the extent to which brain network structure constrains brain function
Project leaders: Caio Seguin & Andrew Zalesky
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Imaging-genetics in psychiatry
Conduct research at the interface of genetics, neuroscience and psychiatry using cutting-edge computational methods and neuroimaging techniques
Project leaders: Maria Di Biase
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Computational neuroscience: Simulating brain dynamics and generative modelling of brain networks
Simulate a person's brain activity based on their connectome and develop models to grow brain networks in silico
Project leaders: Andrew Zalesky & Caio Seguin
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Brain stimulation and clinical translation
Develop innovative brain stimulation therapies for depression and other psychiatric disorders based on new knowledge of aberrant brain circuits and systems
Project leaders: Robin Cash
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Brain mapping: Brain atlases with multiple topographic features
Map innovative atlases of the human brain that incorporate multiple topographic features
Project leaders: Ye Tian & Andrew Zalesky
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Machine learning prediction of brain and body ageing
Your brain and other organs may be older (or younger) than your chronological age! Why?
Project leaders: Ye Tian, Vanessa Cropley & Andrew Zalesky
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Network communication in the brain
Use network science to understand how information is communicated in nervous systems
Project leaders: Caio Seguin & Andrew Zalesky
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Symptom comorbidity networks in psychiatry
Investigate causal links between psychiatric symptoms and cognition across mental illnesses
Project leaders: Vanessa Cropley
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Brain connectivity in a dish
Grow mini brains (organoids) in a dish and map their axonal connectivity
Project leaders: Maria Di Biase, Maciej Daniszewski & Alice Pebay
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The PIPs Study: Proteins of the Immune system in Psychosis
Does the immune system impact brain development in people with schizophrenia?
Project leader: Vanessa Cropley & Andrew Zalesky
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Mapping brain metabolites
Develop advanced neuroimaging techniques to map brain metabolites
Project leader: Vanessa Cropley, Rishma Vidyasagar, Andrew Zalesky & Paul Klauser (University of Geneva)
Techniques that we use...
Our researchers use neuroimaging, computational and neuromodulation techniques:
- Structural, diffusion and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Neuromodulation, particularly transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Complex systems theory, brain networks and connectomics
- Bioinformatics, computational modelling and systems neuroscience
- Clinical neuroscience
Disorders that we study...
We focus on neuropsychiatric disorders. Our researchers have particular expertise in brain systems, networks and circuits impacted by:
- Schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders
- Major depressive disorder and refractory depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Resources
Software and other resources for download
Software
Openly available software tools and computer code developed by our researchers
GitHub Links*
- Generative model of axonal growth [Matlab]
- Connectome mapping pipelines for the UK Biobank [Python]
- Topological Cluster Statistic (TCS) [Python]
- Connectome Spatial Smoothing (CSS) [Python]
- High-resolution connectome mapping pipelines [Python]
- Organ Health Score (OHS) [Matlab]
- Melbourne Subcortex Atlas
- AI prediction of functional connectivity based on an individual's connectome [Python]
- Brain Connectivity Toolbox (BCT)
*These are links to repositories maintained by our individual researchers. We do not maintain a group-wide repository to ensure individual researchers have full autonomy to maintain, update and receive credit for their work.
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Melbourne Subcortex Atlas
- Download the atlas from NITRC or GitHub
- Atlas available in CIFTI and NIFTI formats, either as a stand-alone atlas of the human subcortex or integrated into established cortex-only atlases to enable whole-brain connectome mapping
- Check out the paper and thread
- Also check out the commentary by Evan Gordon
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Network-based statistic
- The network-based statistic (NBS) is an established method for statistically comparing brain networks between groups and testing for associations with subject-specific measures
- Download the NBS from NITRC
- Matlab and R packages are available, as well as an extension for directed networks
- NBS is also available as part of the CONN, Mrtrix3, GraphVar and BCT packages
- Check out the NBS paper and NBS manual
- Post questions and seek help on the NBS Help Forum
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HQS algorithm
- The Hirschberger-Qi-Steuer (HQS) algorithm generates random covariance/correlation matrices for null hypothesis testing on functional connectivity matrices
- Download the bare-bones Matlab function implementing HQS
- Random covariance matrices can also be generated by sampling from an inverse Wishart distribution
- Check out the paper on correlation as a measure of functional connectivity
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Random cortical parcellations
- Download Matlab functions to generate random volumetric cortical parcellations with compact or uniformly-sized regions
- Example random parcellations in NIFTI format comprising 256 and 395 nodes
- Check out the related paper on does the choice of nodes matter
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Connectome navigation
- Matlab function to compute navigation routes based on a given metric space
- Check out the paper on navigation of brain networks
- Like sightseeing in Paris – a new model for brain communication
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Tools for high-resolution connectomics
- Python implementation of a high-resolution connectomic framework
- Map functional and structural connectivity at the resolution of cortical vertices
- Check out the paper on the neural correlates of identity and behavior mapped at high resolution
UK Biobank Connectomes
We mapped connectomes for all UK Biobank participants for whom diffusion MRI scans were acquired. Kudos to Sina Mansour and Caio Seguin.
Comprising connectomes for 40,000+ individuals, this is the largest connectome biobank that has been mapped to date.
UK Biobank researchers can access structural and functonal connectomes for all individuals across different parcellation atlases and algorithmic choices. Search for data fields 31022-31028 on the UK Biobank showcase.
Check out the corresponding paper for further details.
Books
Fundamentals of Brain Network Analysis
Co-authored by Alex Fornito, Andrew Zalesky and Ed Bullmore, the textbook provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to methods for unraveling the extraordinary complexity of neuronal connectivity. From the perspective of graph theory and network science, we introduce, motivate and explain techniques for modeling brain networks as graphs of nodes connected by edges, and cover a diverse array of measures for quantifying their topological and spatial organization.
Hardback available for purchase from Elsevier and Amazon.
...a thorough and didactic presentation of the tools available to research scientists wishing to engage in the emgerging field of network neuroscience...this text promises to be an essential title on the bookshelf of the intellectually curious neuroscientist.Professor Danielle S Basset, University of Pennsylvania
Queensland Neurostimulation Centre
We are proud to be part of the Queensland Neurostimulation Centre (QNC)!
The QNC clinic opened in 2022 and it is the first clinic in Australia to offer personalized brain stimulation therapy for depression.
The clinic uses a TGA-approved personalization method developed by our researchers and robotic technology to deliver targeted transcranial magnetic stimulation. This ensures that treatment is delivered to precise brain locations that are optimized for each patient's unique brain network architecture.
Australian School on Connectomics
Established in 2018, the Australian Connectomics School aims to provide researchers of all backgrounds with an introduction to the fundamentals of brain network analysis. The School is organized into didactic sessions that include theory as well as practical demonstrations of the latest software tools. Topics covered include:
- Quantifying brain connectivity with functional and diffusion MRI
- Building structural and functional brain networks
- Measures of network organization and their intepretation
- Comparing connectomes
- Brain network dynamics and computational modeling
Check out the School website for further details and photos from the most recent edition of the School.
Great balance between mathematical and computational background, and practical applications giving a comprehensive understanding of techniques discussed. Thank you! Extremely useful topics covered and practical material really helps to get started with analysis in a real way! Participant feedback
Videos
Educational and research presentations from our researchers and graduate students
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Rebecca L. Cooper Fellowship Research Update (2024)
Andrew Zalesky
1 minute -
ABC News: Poor brain health, poor physical health? (2023)
Ye Tian
4 minutes -
Channel 9 News: TMS for depression clinical trial (2024)
Robin Cash
2 minutes -
OHBM 2022 Keynote - Brain and Body
Andrew Zalesky
45 minutes -
OHBM 2022 Symposium: Beyond brain age prediction: Crosstalk between brain age and body age
Ye Tian
16 minutes -
OHBM 2022 Educational Workshop: Parcellations and Functional Territories
Ye Tian
24 minutes -
OHBM 2022 Educational Workshop: Connectome thredsholding, inference and null networks
Andrew Zalesky
50 minutes -
Neurochat 2021: Understanding brain topography and cognition
Ye Tian
30 minutes [in Chinese] -
fMRI-guided TMS personalisation for depression
Andrew Zalesky
30 minutes -
Best practices in diffusion imaging
Maria Di Biase
15 minutes -
Terra Incognita: Virtual workshop on the subcortex
Ye Tian
26 minutes -
Introduction to thresholding connectomes
Andrew Zalesky
13 minutes -
Introduction to null models in network neuroscience
Andrew Zalesky
11 minutes -
Introduction to comparing connectomes
Andrew Zalesky
11 minutes -
Functional gradients of the human subcortex
Ye Tian
17 minutes -
Three-minute thesis presentation on structural connectivity
Tabinda Sarwar
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Personalized TMS stimulation targets for depression
Yumeng Wu
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Schizophrenia Awareness Week
Maria Di Biase
2 minutes
Join us
Opportunities for students, researchers and visitors
Graduate study
Join us! Study human brain function and structure with the best and brightest minds from Australia and around the world! We welcome applications for graduate study from both domestic and international graduates. We are an interdisciplinary group and encourage students from diverse academic backgrounds. Our current students and researchers include neuroscientists, physicists, engineers and psychiatrists.
Why choose Melbourne?
The University of Melbourne is the #1 ranked university in Australia. You will work alongside and be supervised by supportive researchers who are world leaders in their field. Researchers in the Systems Group are among most highly cited and impactful researchers in the world. We are committed to training graduate students.
We are located within a state-of-the-art facility at the Alan Gilbert Building. Facilities include a 7 Tesla MRI scanner, petascale computing resources and the brain imaging laboratory. We are part of the Departments of Psychiatry, Biomedical Engineering, and Anatomy and Physiology.
Melbourne is multicultural city of more than 5 million people and considered Australia's most liveable city. No matter where you are from, you will feel at home in Melbourne. Numerous accommodation options are available within walking distance of the university campus and city centre.
Apply for graduate study
Our students can enroll in graduate research programs either through the Faculties of Engineering or Medicine at the University of Melbourne:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Medicine or Engineering
- Masters (MPhil) - Medicine or Engineering
The PhD is up to four years of full-time study and the MPhil is typically two years.
Step 1 - Eligibility. Future students should first check that they meet the specific entry requirements for graduate research in Medicine or Engineering at the University of Melbourne. Scholarships are highly competitive. You require at least 80% or higher to be competitive for scholarship selection.
Step 2 - Project and Supervisor. Choosing a research project and supervisor are important decisions. You may want to consider one of our established research projects. You should contact the project leader in the first instance to express your interest. You can also propose a new project based on your own interests. All of our researchers are eligible supervisors and available to discuss potential projects with you. Ensure to include your full academic transcript and CV when emailing a potential supervisor. Detailed project proposals are not required at the time of application, but a research topic and confirmed support from a potential supervisor should be established.
Step 3 - Apply. Once you have support from a potential supervisor, you can apply using the online system. If eligible, you will automatically be considered for a Graduate Research Scholarship that provides a living allowance and/or tuition fee remission. Most domestic students are exempt from paying tuition fees. Domestic applicants should apply before October 31. Also consider applying for externally-funded scholarships.
It was wonderful to undertake part of my PhD in Melbourne as an exchange student. Working with Andrew and the team is always inspiring and the research environment is fantastic, where I have spent the most happy and productive time of my PhD.Dr Xin Wang
Exchange PhD 2019
Resources for future students
- How to choose the right PhD supervisor
- How to apply for PhD study in Medicine and Engineering at the University of Melbourne
- Living in Melbourne
Visiting researchers and academics
We welcome visiting researchers, academics and clinicians to our group. Our group hosts international researchers for varying periods of time, from short visits of a few months to long-term placements and exchanges. Check out our alumni for details of previous academic visitors. Researchers and clinicians have visited our group to learn how to apply software tools and methods that we have developed to their own data.
Contact our researchers to discuss visiting and exchange opportunities.
I got the opportunity to work with world leaders in the fields of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging on Australian and other international large datasets. My partner was also able to take advantage of our experience abroad by carrying out several fellowships during which she gathered huge clinical experience. As a family with two kids, we had the great opportunity to live close to the University campus and City centre in a small house with a backyard. This experience not only enriched us from an academic and professional point of view, but it also allowed us to live unique adventures that have strengthened us as a family.Dr Paul Klauser
Visiting Researcher 2015-16
Resources for visiting researchers
Postdoctoral researchers
We are looking for talented and motivated postdocs to join our group and establish a research career at the University of Melbourne. Consider applying for a postdoctoral fellowship:
- NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellowship (Investigator Grant)
- ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
- University of Melbourne McKenzie Fellowship
- Marie Curie Fellowship
Many of our researchers have been awarded these fellowships in the past and can mentor you in crafting your application.
Employment opportunities are advertised on the Careers website.