The Brain Foundation has awarded funds to two NeuRA researchers in its 2026 grants round to support work in neurodegenerative disease and paediatric neurology.
Dr Hannah Timmins and Dr Sharika Raga were presented with their awards by NeuRA CEO, Professor Matthew Kiernan AM, who is also President of the Brain Foundation, during a special event at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Dr Timmins (centre) received $40,000 for her project ‘ECHO: Examining Cortical Hemispheric asymmetry and inexcitability as biOmarkers in MND’. Alongside co-investigators Dayna Talbot and Paris Murphy, she will investigate if cortical excitability can be a reliable biomarker for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
“MND varies considerably from person to person,” Dr Timmins said.
“Understanding the brain changes associated with that variation could help us improve diagnosis, monitor progression and evaluate potential treatments, ultimately offering greater clarity for people living with MND and their families.”
The assessment for cortical excitability is non-invasive and if this project is successful, it will allow earlier diagnosis and improved tracking of disease progression.
Paediatric neurologist, Dr Raga, was awarded $40,000 for ‘A mixed-methods study of children with CTNNB1 neurodevelopmental syndrome for clinical trial readiness’.
CTNNB1 is the most common condition to be misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy in children. It causes progressive movement impairments alongside communication, behaviour and learning difficulties.
Dr Raga and her team have developed a gene replacement therapy which will soon be assessed in a clinical trial. However, there is currently limited information about how to objectively assess disease severity and the outcomes that matter most to families. Dr Raga aims to close this knowledge gap through this project, ensuring they can use meaningful and sensitive outcome measures in the upcoming clinical trial and any future trials.
“I am incredibly grateful and honoured to have been awarded a Brain Foundation Grant to advance research in CTNNB1 syndrome,” Dr Raga said.
“It is a privilege to contribute research that will hopefully lead to improved outcomes for these patients and their families and build the foundation for further research in this field.”
Brain Foundation CEO, Beata Roman (pictured left), said the organization is proud to support outstanding Australian researchers whose work is advancing our understanding of neurological conditions and exploring new possibilities for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
