You can help progress our research
You don't have to be a scientist to get involved with QBI. We offer a range of opportunities for everyday people to connect and progress our research and discoveries.
The foundation for all of our work is the funding we receive through a range of sources, including philanthropic donations from our generous supporters. There are many ways to give to QBI: directly, through planned giving, or holding fundraising events that entertain or challenge supporters as they dig deep to help us better understand the brain.
We also offer opportunities for students to learn directly from our inspiring researchers through lab placements, and for community members to tour our facilities and attend events. Finally, you can give one of the greatest gifts of all by volunteering for studies to advance treatments and diagnostics for brain diseases and disorders.
How you can support us
What your donations fund
Through your support you are helping QBI solve the major neurological health challenges facing our community today
World leading research
Brightest scientific minds
Solutions to global health challenges
Brain Research Endowment Fund
Find out more Donate to research
QBI’s Brain Research Endowment Fund supports scientists exploring the unknown, which will guide new research on finding cures for diseases or improving quality of life.
Community & school programs
Australian Brain Bee
The Australian Brain Bee Challenge (ABBC) is a competition for high school students in year 10 to learn about the brain and its functions, learn about neuroscience research, find out about careers in neuroscience and to dispel misconceptions about neurological and mental illnesses.
Participate in a research study
By being part of our human research studies you can make a valuable contribution to improving the lives of people living with brain disease and disorder.
Research in action
Walker lab
Group Leader
Associate Professor Adam Walker
Ross Maclean Fellow - GLQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Researcher biography:Dr Adam Walker received his BSc(Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Tasmania, and PhD in Neuroscience from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of motor neuron disease (MND). He undertook a postdoctoral fellowship with Professor Virginia Lee at the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania (2011-2015), developing new transgenic TDP-43 mouse models of disease. Dr Walker was previously an NHMRC CJ Martin Overseas Biomedical Research Fellow and was awarded an NHMRC RD Wright Career Development Fellowship (2018-2022), to continue his research on neurodegenerative diseases. His research has been supported by fellowships and project grants from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation, Dementia Australia, Motor Neuron Disease Research Institute of Australia, MonSTaR Foundation and the Cure for MND Foundation.
Body:Dr Adam Walker: Neurodegeneration pathobiology
The Walker lab uses biochemistry and imaging techniques to study neuronal cell culture and genetically modified mouse models of MND and FTD, alongside analysis of human brain and spinal cord samples, to investigate the involvement of TDP-43 in disease. Importantly, Dr Walker previously characterised new TDP-43 mice that develop both pathology and motor phenotypes reminiscent of human disease, which are a vital new tool for both investigations of disease mechanisms and pre-clinical testing of therapeutics.
Research Members
Dr Rebecca San Gil
FightMND Research FellowQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Researcher biography:Rebecca completed her PhD at the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute at the University of Wollongong in June 2018. Her PhD research investigated the role of the heat shock response and inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on motor neuron disease (MND). During her PhD, Rebecca undertook an Endeavour Research Fellowship to conduct research at the Institute of Neurology, University College London under the supervision of Prof Linda Greensmith. She has since been recruited to the Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Lab at the Queensland Brain Institute by Dr Adam Walker as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Rebecca is a motivated and passionate MND researcher whose main objective is to find new therapeutics to treat or cure people living with MND.
Mrs Juliana Venturato
Senior Research AssistantQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Dr Heledd Brown-Wright
Postdoctoral Research FellowQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Dr Wei Luan
Postdoctoral Research FellowQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Researcher biography:Dr Luan is the postdoctoral fellow of Neurodegenerative Pathobiology laboratory in Queensland Brain Institute. Dr Luan's research aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanism for human neurodegenerative diseases, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). His research focuses on the cellular stress responses and novel biochemical pathways in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Dr Luan will use biochemical, immunohistochemistry and AAVs techniques in a well-established pre-clinical transgenic mouse model. His goal is to discover new potential therapeutic targets in order to help patients who suffer these diseases.
Dr Adekunle Bademosi
Research FellowQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Ms Lidia Madrid San Martin
Research Assistant (Mouse Model StuQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Students
Ms Britt Berning
PhD StudentQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Mr Thomas Hedl
PhD StudentQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Mr Sean Keating
PhD StudentQueensland Brain InstituteThornton Foundation ScholarshipResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Ms Elise Kellett
PhD StudentQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Miss Matisse Jacobs
PhD StudentQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Yvonne Un
Honours studentResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Ms Sarah Risby-Jones
Honours studentResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:- Senior research leader Dr Marta Garrido is trying to understand how the brain works in people with schizophrenia, so better diagnoses can be developed.