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
Cooper: Neural Migration
Group Leader
Professor Helen Cooper
Deputy Director (Research)Queensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Body:Professor Helen Cooper: Neural migration
Current research in the Cooper laboratory explores the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the development of the neocortex. The group has identified unexpected, novel roles for the axon guidance receptors Neogenin (a netrin receptor) and Ryk (a Wnt receptor) in neural stem cell biology, neurogenesis, dendrite outgrowth and synaptogenesis. The Cooper group has shown that loss of these receptors in the mouse leads to cortical malformations which are equivalent to those seen in humans.
Research Members
Dr Raphael Ricci
Postdoctoral Research FellowQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Researcher biography:I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Neural Migration Laboratory at the Queensland Brain Institute. I investigate the capacity of neural stem cells to shape neural circuit formation, maintenance and function during development and throughout adulthood, both in the healthy brain and under pathological conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. Under the supervision of Prof Helen Cooper, I am working to determine how WRC-Cyfip-FMRP network affects apical radial glial progenitors' proliferation and neurogenesis, leading to cortical malformation and ASD-like behaviour in mice. During my PhD at University of Tasmania and under the supervision of A/Prof Kaylene Young, I investigated how neuronal activity shapes oligodendrocyte lineage cell behaviour in the healthy brain and in pathologies such as multiple sclerosis or schizophrenia. I have a long-standing interest in neuroscience research, that extends from understanding how brain function is regulated during development and in healthy ageing through to the pathways that enable neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.
Students
Dr Kai Sempert
Queensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Mr Zukhrofi Muzar
PhD studentQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:Sophie Waugh
Honours StudentQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:1Supervisor:Support Staff
Ms Elizabeth O'Brien
Research AssistantQueensland Brain InstituteResearcher profile is public:0Supervisor:- 22 Feb 2023Dr Isaac Akefe
Queensland Brain Institute
University of Queensland