Axons, excitability and nerve damage in cancer

Host: Nathalie Dehorter

Abstract

This talk will outline the contribution of neurophysiological techniques towards understanding mechanisms of axonal degeneration and nerve dysfunction in cancer, with a focus on neurotoxic chemotherapy treatment in cancer survivors.

Biography

Associate Professor Susanna Park PhD leads a multidisciplinary research group investigating assessment strategies, treatments and risk factors in neuropathy and neuromuscular disease at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Australia. She is an Associate Professor in Neuroscience with expertise in multidisciplinary peripheral neuropathy research, examining clinical translation, assessment strategies, treatment and risk factors. She has been awarded competitive research funding for projects across clinical neurosciences, focused on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, motor neuron disease and immune-mediated neuropathies. She undertook her undergraduate degree at ANU, with honours research in neurophysiology conducted at the JCSMR. She obtained her PhD from the University of New South Wales, Australia in 2010, focused on axonal excitability profiles in peripheral neuropathy and subsequently was awarded the RG Menzies/National Health and Medical Research Council Overseas Biomedical Fellowship to undertake postdoctoral training at the Institute of Neurology, University College London. She has authored >125 peer-reviewed publications and leads the In Focus - Investigating Neurological and Functional Outcomes in Cancer Survivors Study.