Dr. Gary Morris is (BSc, MSc, PhD) is an Early Career Research Fellow in the Discipline of Medical Sciences, Tasmanian School of Medicine, in the College of Health and Medicine. The major theme of his research is to understand how non-neuronal cells residing within the brain, and around the vasculature of the brain, contribute to brain blood flow in the healthy and injured brain.

Biography

Gary completed his BSc and MSc, majoring in biochemistry, at the University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand). His MSc research investigated the neuroprotective potential of the amyloid precursor protein alpha, a molecule relevant to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. After a brief stint as a Scientific Officer with New Zealand Genomics Ltd., Gary undertook a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia), within the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. During his PhD Gary developed an interest in brain blood flow, and how non-neuronal cells of the brain may influence brain blood flow in health and disease. In late-2019 Gary took up a position as an Early Career Research Fellow in the Perivascular Research Group, led by Associate Professor Brad Sutherland at the University of Tasmania (Hobart, Australia). In this position, Gary is investigating how injury to pericytes, a contractile cell residing on the outside of blood vessels throughout the body, may contribute to microvascular dysfunction in multiple neurological conditions, with a particular focus on stroke and dementia.

Career summary

Qualifications

• PhD, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 2017.
• MSc (with Distinction), University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, 2011
• BSc, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, 2008

Memberships

Professional practice

• Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS)
• Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR)

Teaching

Teaching expertise

Gary supervises both undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.