Dr Todd is a neuroscientist that specialises in neural control of movement in humans. She completed a PhD at the University of New South Wales and is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences at the University of South Australia. She leads the Neurophysiology of Human Movement Group and two large multidisciplinary teams of researchers that are investigating early motor signs in Parkinson’s disease and the long-lasting effects of methamphetamine on movement.
She has published over 45 journal articles on human motor circuitry and movement and her work has been cited over 2,400 times in the scientific literature. In 2018, seven of her papers were ranked in the top 5% for... Read more
About me
Dr Todd is a neuroscientist that specialises in neural control of movement in humans. She completed a PhD at the University of New South Wales and is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences at the University of South Australia. She leads the Neurophysiology of Human Movement Group and two large multidisciplinary teams of researchers that are investigating early motor signs in Parkinson’s disease and the long-lasting effects of methamphetamine on movement.
She has published over 45 journal articles on human motor circuitry and movement and her work has been cited over 2,400 times in the scientific literature. In 2018, seven of her papers were ranked in the top 5% for the field (for the publication year) and 33% of her papers were ranked in the top 15% for the field. Four of her papers have also been the subject of Editorials in international journals. The quality and significance of her research has been recognised with two NHMRC Fellowships, three prizes for research excellence, and Editorial Board Membership (Journal of Applied Physiology).
Dr Todd's has a passion for science that extends beyond her immediate research interests. She has volunteered for numerous roles that aid in the promotion of science to school children and the wider community and gives regular media interviews.
About me
Editorial Board Member, Journal of Applied Physiology (2008-present)
About me
Doctor of Philosophy University of New South Wales
Bachelor of Science (Honours) University of Wollongong
Senior Lecturer Neuroscience, University of South Australia, 2017-
Senior Lecturer, University of South Australia, 2014-2017
Senior Research Fellow (NHMRC Career Development Fellowship), University of South Australia, 2010-2014
Research Fellow (NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellowship), University of Adelaide, 2006-2010
Our group is currently investigating the long-lasting effects of methamphetamine use on movement and movement-related brain regions. Our world leading research suggests that methamphetamine use is associated with signs of parkinsonism in young adults and increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life.
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Are young adults aware of the long-lasting consequences of methamphetamine ('ICE') use on all health & would knowledge of a visible long-lasting consequence decrease use of the drug?, Fay Fuller Foundation, 06/03/2017 - 30/06/2019
Human motor cortex function in health and disease, NHMRC - Career Development Fellowship, 25/08/2010 - 30/04/2014
Does stimulant medication cause brain damage in children, Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation of SA, 02/01/2012 - 31/12/2012
Long-lasting effects of illicit drug use on movement and movement-related brain regions (2010-present)
Early disease mechanisms and diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (2012-present)
Research
Research since 2008 is shown below. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2017 |
10
|
| 2016 |
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2019 |
4
|
| 2018 |
Open access
1
2
|
| 2017 |
Open access
|
| 2017 |
3
2
47
|
| 2016 |
Open access
2
2
|
| 2016 |
12
12
2
|
| 2016 |
Open access
25
29
18
|
| 2015 |
Open access
2
2
|
| 2015 |
1
1
1
|
| 2014 |
Open access
5
5
1
|
| 2014 |
25
22
11
|
| 2014 |
Open access
2
3
|
| 2013 |
5
4
|
| 2013 |
3
3
2
|
| 2013 |
Open access
24
25
|
| 2012 |
Open access
14
11
4
|
| 2012 |
Open access
12
9
|
| 2012 |
13
12
2
|
| 2012 |
3
3
|
| 2012 |
9
8
|
| 2011 |
62
58
|
| 2010 |
6
6
|
| 2010 |
12
12
|
| 2010 |
14
14
|
| 2010 |
51
51
|
| 2010 |
8
8
|
| 2009 |
52
54
|
| 2009 |
29
29
|
| 2008 |
62
60
|
| 2008 |
Open access
12
12
|
Research
Our group is currently investigating the long-lasting effects of methamphetamine use on movement and movement-related brain regions. Our world leading research suggests that methamphetamine use is associated with signs of parkinsonism in young adults and increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life.
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Concord Repatriation General Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Flinders Medical Centre | AUSTRALIA |
| Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
| German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases | GERMANY |
| Koc University | TURKEY |
| Marquette University | UNITED STATES |
| Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
| Neuroscience Research Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Prince of Wales Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Royal Adelaide Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Saarland University | GERMANY |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
| University of New South Wales | AUSTRALIA |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Tubingen | GERMANY |
| University of Wollongong | AUSTRALIA |
| Western Sydney University | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Australian Awards for University Teaching's Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student LearningUniversities Australia, Australian Government |
2018 |
Cracks in the Ice', Research finding (methamphetamine use is associated with abnormal movement) added to the list of long-term health consequences of methamphetamine useAustralian Government |
2018 |
Editorial Board MemberJournal of Applied Physiology |
2018 |
Merit Selected Participant, OnPrime (a program that helps researchers to commercialize research findings)Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) |
2018 |
Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student LearningUniversity of South Australia Teaching Awards |
2017 |
Editorial Board MemberJournal of Applied Physiology |
2017 |
Editorial Board MemberJournal of Applied Physiology |
2016 |
Editorial Board MemberJournal of Applied Physiology |
2015 |
Chair, Conference Organising CommitteeAustralasian Neuroscience Society Sensorimotor Satellite Meeting |
2014 |
Editorial Board MemberJournal of Applied Physiology |
2014 |
Symposium OrganiserAustralasian Neuroscience Society |
2014 |
Council MemberSouth Australian Premier's Science and Industry Council |
2013 |
Editorial Board MemberJournal of Applied Physiology |
2013 |
Council MemberSouth Australian Premier's Science and Industry Council |
2012 |
Editorial Board MemberJournal of Applied Physiology |
2012 |
Invited speakerApplied Neuroscience Society of Australasia (ANSA) Conference, Adelaide |
2012 |
Invited speakerMagstim Neuroscience Conference and Workshop |
2012 |
South Australian ConvenorAustralasian Neuroscience Society Australian Brain Bee Challenge |
2012 |
Council MemberSouth Australian Premier's Science and Industry Council |
2011 |
Editorial Board MemberJournal of Applied Physiology |
2011 |
South Australian ConvenorAustralasian Neuroscience Society Australian Brain Bee Challenge |
2011 |
Career Development FellowshipNational Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) |
2010 |
Tall Poppy of the Year AwardAustralian Institute of Policy and Science |
2010 |
Host, Parkinson’s South Australia ‘Laboratory Open Day’, 2009-2017
Host, ‘Laboratory Open Day’, CSIRO Double Helix Club (South Australian Branch), 2014
Numerous invited public lectures, seminars, and presentations to school groups, patient support groups, UniSA Alumni, and the general community.
Numerous published interviews in television, print, online, and radio. Examples include ABC television, Channel 9 News, Sydney Morning Herald, Courier Mail, Royal Institute of Australia, and ABC Radio. I also featured in a television documentary entitled ‘The Agony of Ecstasy’ (ABC2, 2014).
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| Illicit drug use and its impact on motor cortex excitability and exercise induced fatigue | Current |
| Using brain stimulation to investigate the functions of the dorsal and ventral language pathways in the brain. | Current |
| Visualisation and clinical relevance of nigrosome-1 in patients with Parkinson's disease | Current |
| Examining the role of melanin in disease states through its adsorption characteristics and their mechanisms | Completed |
| The long-term effect of illicit stimulant use on movement | Completed |
