Contact Details
| Organization: | Medicine - Royal Melbourne and Western Hospitals |
| Position: | SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW |
| Email: |
Biography
Awards/Appointments: John Storey Junior Memorial Scholarship (1983); Campion-Ma-Playoust Award from the ASMR (1986); PhD scholarship through the NHF (1991); Faculty of Medicine Fellowship (1997-99); Current interests: As the Senior Scientist in the Epilepsy and Neuropharmacology Laboratory (headed by Prof Terry O’Brien) in the Department of Medicine at the RMH, I am currently working on several projects: (1) investigation of the neurological changes associated with epileptogenesis in temporal lobe epilepsy; (2) a study of structural, functional, neurobehavioural, neurocognitive and epilepsy outcomes associated with post-traumatic brain injury (funded through the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative, TAC); (3) investigation of GABAA/central benzodiazepine receptor expression during epileptogenesis using PET imaging with [18F]-Flumazenil (through the Centre for Molecular Imaging at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre; CRC for Biomedical Imaging Development); (4) a study of adverse drug reactions associated with long-term epilepsy therapies; and, (5) various collaborations involving advanced imaging and development of imaging agents (in association with the CSIRO). My skills in advanced imaging techniques, including microfocus X-ray imaging (MXI) and pQCT, confocal microscopy as well as combined PET/MRI imaging complement a range of research projects within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Specialist training: Advanced imaging through the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada (3D-Microscopy of Living Cells - July 1997) and at the ‘Bone and Mineral Centre’, The Rayne Institute, University College London; Other contributions to field: Convenor of workshops for the ANZBMS (Adelaide 2002; Sydney2004); immediate past-president of the Fluorescence Imaging Group of Victoria 2002-2004 (www.FIGroup.org); Member of Victorian Government Committee, the Beamline Advisory Panel for the Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL) of the Australian Synchrotron.
Qualifications, Honours, Fellowships and Other Awards
Qualifications
| Title | Institution | Date Awarded | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Applied Science | Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology | 31-Dec-1980 | |
| Master of Applied Science | Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology | 31-Dec-1984 | |
| Doctor of Philosophy | University of Melbourne | 31-Dec-1993 |
Memberships
| Membership Type | Membership Body | Description | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Australian Neuroscience Society | Ordinary member | 02-Jan-2005 | 01-Jan-2010 |
Other Awards
| Award Type | Awarding Body | Comments | Date Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scholarship | Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University | 01-Mar-1983 | |
| Other (Award) | Australian Society of Medical Research | 02-Dec-1986 | |
| Other (Award) | University of Melbourne | 01-Jan-1997 | |
| Scholarship | National Heart Foundation | 01-Jan-1991 |
Government Research Classifications
Research Fields, Courses and Discipline Classifications
- Cell Development (incl. Cell Division and Apoptosis) (BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY) (270106)
- Biomaterials (BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING) (291503)
- Radiology and Imaging (VETERINARY SCIENCES) (300509)
- Medical Biochemistry: Carbohydrates (MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL CHEMISTRY) (320302)
- Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (PHARMACOLOGY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES) (320503)
- Cell Physiology (MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY) (320602)
- Systems Physiology (MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY) (320603)
- Central Nervous System (NEUROSCIENCES) (320702)
- Endocrinology (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321004)
- Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321013)
- Oncology and Carcinogenesis (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321015)
- Orthopaedics (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321017)
- Radiology and Organ Imaging (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321022)
- Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321023)
- Clinical Sciences not elsewhere classified (CLINICAL SCIENCES) (321099)
- Mental Health (PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES) (321204)
- Nutrition and Dietetics (PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES) (321205)
- Preventive Medicine (PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES) (321206)
- Sociology and Social Studies of Science and Technology (HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE) (370602)
Socio-Economic Objective Classifications
- Dairy cattle (LIVESTOCK) (630104)
- Minimally processed milk (PRIMARY PRODUCTS FROM ANIMALS) (630402)
- Dairy products (PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS AND BEVERAGES) (670105)
- Treatments (e.g. chemicals, anntibiotics) (HUMAN PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS) (670403)
- Nervous system and disorders (CLINICAL; ORGANS, DISEASES AND ABNORMAL CONDITIONS) (730104)
- Endocrine organs and diseases (incl. Diabetes) (CLINICAL; ORGANS, DISEASES AND ABNORMAL CONDITIONS) (730105)
- Cancer and related disorders (CLINICAL; ORGANS, DISEASES AND ABNORMAL CONDITIONS) (730108)
- Skeletal system and disorders (incl. Arthritis) (CLINICAL; ORGANS, DISEASES AND ABNORMAL CONDITIONS) (730114)
- Clin health not spec to partlar organs, diseases & condits (CLINICAL; ORGANS, DISEASES AND ABNORMAL CONDITIONS) (730199)
- Women's health (PUBLIC HEALTH) (730201)
- Health related to ageing (PUBLIC HEALTH) (730203)
- Disease distribution and transmission (PUBLIC HEALTH) (730212)
- Preventive medicine (PUBLIC HEALTH) (730213)
- Behaviour and health (PUBLIC HEALTH) (730219)
- Injury control (PUBLIC HEALTH) (730220)
- Diagnostic methods (HEALTH AND SUPPORT SERVICES) (730305)
Grants and Contracts
Research Grants, Contracts and Consultancies awarded to the University of Melbourne as the administering institution (since 2003) as recorded in Themis Agreements.
Grants
| Title | Role | Funding Source | Scheme | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Characterisation of human osteoclastogenesis | Chief Investigator | NHMRC | Project Grants | 01/01/2002 |
| LONGITUNDINAL VIVO STUDY OF PROGRESSIVE CHANGES IN HIPPOCAMPAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION POST HEAD INJURY IN RATS | Chief Investigator | TRANSPORT ACCIDENT COMMISSION | Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative | 09/10/2006 |
| OPTIMISING THE BONE RESPONSE TO DIETARY CALCIUM: A PHYSIOLOGICAL APPROACH | Chief Investigator | GEOFFREY GARDINER DAIRY FOUND | Innovation Program Major Projects | 16/02/2007 |
| LIVE CELL IMAGING - INFLAMMATION, BRAINS, CANCER AND MALARIA MULTIFUNCTIONAL IMAGING FACILITY | Chief Investigator | THE IAN POTTER FOUNDATION | Project Grants | 04/04/2007 |
| PARTIAL VOLUME CORRECTION IN PET IMAGING OF THE RAT BRAIN: TOWARDS AN ACCURATE QUANTIFICATION | Chief Investigator | AINSE | Awards | 01/03/2008 |
| Anti-epileptic drug effects on bone health: Microimaging of bone changes using Microfocus X-ray Imaging | Chief Investigator | UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE | CSIRO Collaborative Research Support |
Contracts
| Title | Role | Funding Source | Award Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| LONGITUDINAL IN VIVO STUDY OF HIPPOCAMPAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION, AND RELATIONSHIP TO NEUROCOGNITIVE, NEUROBEHAVIOURAL AND EPILEPTIC OUTCOMES, IN A MODEL OF HUMAN TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI) | Chief Investigator | HOWARD FLOREY INST | 09/10/2006 |
| RESEARCH SERVICES TO CSIRO (COMPANY) DEVELOPMENT OF IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES | Chief Investigator | CSIRO | 01/02/2008 |
| RESEARCH SERVICES AGREEMENT (BETWEEN DAMIAN MYERS AND CSIRO) | Chief Investigator | CSIRO MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING | 15/12/2008 |
Additional Grant and Contract Information
Current Grants/AwardsVNI DP0023 Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative through the TAC, Victoria; $973,347 over 3 years: Start date 9th of October 2006; 2006 $251,000; 2007 $200,000; 2008 $283,326; 2009 $238,998.
Longitudinal in vivo study of hippocampal structure and function, and relationship to neurocognitive, neurobehavioral and epileptic outcomes, in a model of human traumatic brain injury
O'Brien TJ, Myers DE (CIB), Hicks RJ, Howells D, Williams J, Velakoulis D, Pantelis C, Egan G, Dedeurwaerdere S, Jones N, Hogan E, Batchelor P, Jupp B, Fang K.
CSIRO-University of Melbourne Research Support Scheme
2006 $25,000; 2007 $25,000. Anti-epileptic drug effects on bone health: Microimaging of bone changes using Microfocus X-ray Imaging.
Myers DE (CIA) and Stevenson AW.
Collaborative project with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute: Funds from the Centre for Molecular Imaging. 2006 $75,000; 2007 $225,000; 2008 $225,000. [18F]-Flumazenil as a radiotracer for longitudinal measurements of GABAA/cBZR in the brain during epileptogenesis.
A/Prof TJ O'Brien, Dr DE Myers (CIB), Dr M-C Gregoire, Dr S Dedeurwaerdere, Dr A Katsifis, Prof RJ Hicks.
[18-F]-FMZ-PET IMAGING IN MEDICALLY REFRACTORY FOCAL EPILEPSY PATIENTS: DOES IT PROVIDE SUPERIOR LOCALIZATION OF THE EPILEPTOGENIC ZONE THAN FDG-PET?
Principal Researcher: Prof Terence J. O’Brien
Associate Researcher(s): Prof Rodney Hicks, Dr Viviane Bouilleret, Dr WF Eddie Lau, Dr Peter Roselt, Dr David Binns, Dr Andrew Katsifis, Dr Marie Claude Gregoire, Dr Damian Myers and Ms Annie Roten
On-going clinical study.
Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation. 2007 $25,000; 2008 $25,000; 2009 $25,000. Optimizing the bone response to dietary calcium: a physiological approach.
Wark JD, Wlodek MJ, Myers DE.
Series of grants for funding of the ‘Live-cell Imaging Facility’ in the Department of Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital: University of Melbourne NHMRC Equipment grants: $140,000; Ian Potter Foundation 2007: $100,000; Neuroscience Foundation: $48,000; Ian Potter Foundation 2008: $95,000; negotiated for Genetics to join our facility with their Rowden White funding of $150,000; Facility now established with 80 users – Dr DE Myers prepared all the grants, organized the establishment of the facility and co-ordinates the running of the facility (administration and running facility).
The ‘Live-cell Imaging Laboratory’ has become a central facility for the department and several collaborators; the key benefit is to value-add to our current projects such as the VNI grant as well as advance novel areas of work. This facility has enabled the introduction of a range of students into the area of neurotrauma research (PhD, Honours Degree and AMS students) who have learned these advanced imaging techniques.
Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE): through the Australian Nuclear Technology Organisation (ANSTO) $17,000 (2008-2009); Partial volume correction in PET imaging of the rat brain: towards an accurate quantification; Dr Damian Myers (CIA), Dr Marie-Claude Gregoire , Dr Andrew Katsifis, Prof Terence O’Brien, Prof Rod Hicks, Dr Stefanie Dedeurwaerdere;
Publications
Publications produced at the University of Melbourne and reported in the Annual Publications Collection and 'Research Report' since 2001. The Themis Publications module, released in November 2006, allows additional publications from previous institutions and publications from past years to be entered.