Biography
I graduated from Monash University in 1996, with majors in physiology, psychology and philosophy. After completing my honours degree in the Department of Paediatrics at Monash, I undertook my PhD at the Howard Florey Institute which was a neuroantomical investigation of the central brain pathways controlling the kidney.
Currently I am a full-time neuroscience researcher at the Department of Otolaryngology. I study the functional and morphological changes within the auditory nerve and cochlear nucleus after deafness and examine ways to improve their function by treatment with neurotrophins. I have ten publications and 18 conference presentations from my research. I also have obtained seven research grants as a principal investigator totaling over $870,000, including a current NHMRC project grant.
I have supervised a total of 13 research students including PhD, Masters, Doctor of Medicine, Honours, Advanced Medical Science and Undergraduate Research Opportunity Students as well as three research assistants. I am the coordinator for Postgraduate and Undergraduate Research Opportunies Program students for the Department. I also lecture Anatomy and Physiology to Master of Audiology Students and I help co-ordinate the Victorian Branch of the National Brain Bee Competition for secondary students.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Horne, R. S., Sly, D. J., Cranage, S. M., Chau, B. and Adamson, T. M., 2000. Effects of prematurity on arousal from sleep in the newborn infant. Pediatr Res. 47, 468-474.
Sly, D. J., Colvill, L., McKinley, M. J. and Oldfield, B. J., 1999. Identification of neural projections from the forebrain to the kidney, using the virus pseudorabies. J Auton Nerv Syst [now Journal of Autonomic Neuroscience. 77, 73-82.
Research Expertise and International Linkages
Research Expertise
| Research Interest |
Country of Expertise |
| Central Control of the Autonomic Nervous System |
Australia |
| Central Neuroanatomy of the Auditory Nervous System |
Australia |
| Neuroanatomy and Physiology of the Auditory Nerve |
Australia |
| Modelling the Neural Response to Cochlear Implant Stimulation |
Australia |
Qualifications, Honours, Fellowships and Other
Awards
Qualifications
| Title |
Institution |
Date Awarded |
Abbreviation |
| Bachelor of Science, Honours |
Monash University |
01-Nov-1995 |
|
| Doctor of Philosophy |
University of Melbourne |
12-Dec-2005 |
|
| Bachelor of Arts |
Monash University |
01-Nov-1994 |
|
| Specialist Certificate in Clincal Research |
University of Melbourne |
06-Mar-2008 |
|
Memberships
| Membership Type |
Membership Body |
Description |
Start Date |
End Date |
| Member |
American Association for the Advancement of Science |
Science Program for Excellence in Science |
28-Mar-2008 |
|
| Member |
Australian Neuroscience Society |
Member |
29-Jan-1996 |
|
Government Research Classifications
Research Fields, Courses and Discipline Classifications
Socio-Economic Objective Classifications
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 |
| Can nerve growth factors improve hearing with a cochlear implant? |
Chief Investigator |
NHMRC |
Project Grants |
01/01/2008 |
| Hearing protection during surgery with glucocorticosteroids and anti-oxidants |
Chief Investigator |
GARNETT PASSE & RODNEY WILLIAMS MEMORIAL FUND |
Project Grants |
01/03/2008 |
| SAFETY OF GROWTH FACTORS FOR COCHLEAR IMPLANTS: EFFECTS UPON THE BRAIN - MELBOURNE EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER GRANT SCHEME 2006 |
Chief Investigator |
UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE |
Early Career Researcher Grants Scheme |
|
Additional Grant and Contract Information
Research grants: Principal investigator
- Sly, D.J. 2009-2010 “Auditory nervous system function after treatment with trophic agents ” Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. $10,000 (Aus).
- Sly, D.J. 2008-2009 “Auditory nervous system function after treatment with trophic agents ” Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. $9,900 (Aus).
- Sly D.J. 2007-2008 “Safety of growth factors for cochlear implants: Effects upon the brain”. Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. $10,000 (Aus).
- Sly, D.J. 2006 Faculty of Medicine, NHMRC/RAGS Major Equipment Grant, to fund the purchase of a Leica cryostat. University of Melbourne, $20.000 (Aus).
Research grants: Co-authour
- "Neurotrophin-dependent firing properties of the auditory nerve", held by Associate Professor Stephen O'Leary. Garnett Passé and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation, $270,000 (Aus).
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.
(Hide full listing)
