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Dr Tom Edwards

Biography

Having completed my Bachelor's degree in Science at Monash University, majoring in Genetics and Immunology, I undertook an Honours degree at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (University of Melbourne) studying lineage differentiation in the neural crest.

In 1997 I shifted my research focus and began post-graduate studies at Monash University in the Dept. of Psychology under Dr Nikki Rickard. Initially seeking to investigate the role of nitric oxide in memory processing using a single trial task developed for the day-old chick, my PhD has since spawned a research programme into the role of second messengers in memory processing. I have recently acquired interests pertaining to both the role of immediate early genes and glial cells in memory processing.

In 2003 I was employed as a lecturer in the Dept. of Psychology with responsibilities to coordinate the 1st year programme (PSY1011 and PSY1022) as well as the Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience unit "Brain Development and Memory" (BNS3041). Within the first year programme I lecture in biological psychology (PSY1011) and in statistics (PSY1022). I also teach statistics within the Dept. of Physiology's Honours curriculum (PHY4200).

Professional Activities

Australian Neuroscience Society - member

Research Interests

  • The role of second messengers (cGMP and cAMP) in memory processing
  • The role of immediate early genes in long-term memory
  • The role of glial cells in memory processing

I have studied these three aspects of memory processing using day-old chicks subjected to a single trial passive avoidance task.

Postgraduate Research Projects

I can offer projects investigating the molecular and cellular basis of memory processing. Projects are developed according to the student's interests. While we have typically used a temporally precise animal task to study memory there does exist some facility to develop human-based projects. Depending on project requirements various behavioural, biochemical and molecular biological approaches are used. Techniques may include, but are not limited to: the use of a single trial task developed for the day-old chick; the administration of pharmacological agents to chicks following training; the use of enzyme assays, northern blots, western blots and subtractive hybridisation.

Potential Student Projects

These projects investigate biochemical and cellular aspects of memory processing using a single trial passive avoidance task developed for the day-old chick. In addition to the behavioural task these projects either require the use of pharmacological agents to alter memory levels or the collection of tissue for molecular analysis. Specific projects can be negotiated with students to suit their interests.

Teaching

I coordinate the 1st year programme (PSY1011 and PSY1022) as well as the Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience unit “Brain Development and Memory” (BNS3041). Within the first year programme I lecture in biological psychology (PSY1011) and in statistics (PSY1022). I also teach statistics within the Dept. of Physiology’s Honours curriculum (PHY4200).

Collaborations

Our research group has traditionally collaborated with A/Prof Stephen Robinson’s research group (also of the Dept. of Psychology – Monash University) as we both share an interest in the biology of glial cells.

Grant Support

ARC discover grant (under review) “Do neurons rely on astrocytic lactate?”