NUTRACEUTICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTION IN NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Dr Virginie Lam, Research Fellow
Curtin Medical Research Institute, Curtin University &
Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science
Perth, Western Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Perth, Australia | August 2025
Dr Virginie Lam is a neuroscientist and cerebrovascular biologist with over 15 years of research experience, including more than seven years post-PhD. She co-leads the Neurovascular and Metabolic Diseases Laboratory at the Curtin Medical Research Institute and holds an affiliate appointment at the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science. Her research focuses on the interface between neurovascular health, cognitive function, and therapeutic translation in neurodegenerative disorders.
Dr Lam is the scientific project manager and co-investigator of a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)-supported Phase II randomised controlled trial in Alzheimer’s disease. She has led the expansion of this study into a multi-site trial involving centres across Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. She also established the trial’s first international collaboration in New Zealand, supporting a trans-Tasman research network across academic, hospital, and clinical trial partners.
Dr Lam has secured over AUD$6 million in competitive research funding as chief investigator, including grants from the MRFF, NHMRC, Raine Foundation, WA Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, and the Bryant Stokes Neurological Research Fund. Her expertise spans clinical trial coordination, human research ethics, neuroimaging, cognitive assessment, and the translation of preclinical findings into early-phase interventions. She has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and currently leads a multidisciplinary team of scientists, clinicians, and research personnel.
She serves on the National Imaging Facility (WA Node) Advisory Board, Curtin University’s human and animal research ethics committee, and multiple NHMRC peer review panels. Dr Lam is actively engaged in research governance and capacity building, having founded and co-chaired several early-to-mid-career researcher (EMCR) committees and national working groups. Her research program continues to inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies for neurovascular and cognitive disorders through rigorous translational science and cross-sector collaboration.
Source: Supplied
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8463-645X
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Antimicrobial technologies & drug delivery platforms
Dr Aaron Elbourne is an ARC DECRA Fellow, Jack Brockhoff ECR Fellow, and Associate Professor within the School of Science at STEM Hub. A leader in nanomaterials, soft matter science, and interface research, Aaron’s work addresses critical challenges in health and the environment.
With a strong focus on translational research, Aaron’s work bridges the gap between fundamental science and practical applications. His leadership in creating innovative technologies, fostering academic-industry partnerships, and empowering future researchers underscores his commitment to advancing science and creating a meaningful impact.
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Identifying and treating autoimmune neurological disorders
Associate Professor Sudarshini Ramanathan is a neurologist and clinician scientist whose work focuses on autoimmune neurological disorders. Her research has helped identify new neurological syndromes due to antibody-mediated demyelination and encephalitis, and improve diagnostic tools and treatment guidelines for patients with autoimmune diseases affecting the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves.
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Interventions for improving outcomes of children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Professor Teresa Ching is a Conjoint Professor at NextSense Institute and Macquarie University, and an Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland in Australia. Her current research focuses on devising culturally sensitive practices in early detection and intervention to maximise children’s outcomes. Working with international colleagues, her current research is also directed towards developing global guidelines and recommendations for hearing screening beyond the newborn period, so that all children can benefit from early detection and intervention. The ultimate goal is to attain equity of care and outcomes for all children with hearing difficulties.
