ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function ARC Centre ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ANNUAL REPORT ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE 2017FOR INTEGRATIVE BRAIN FUNCTION Cover image: Art Competition Category 2, 3rd place by Gabby, age 7 COLLABORATING, PARTNER AND AFFILIATE ORGANISATIONS Collaborating organisations Partner organisations Affiliate organisations The ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function Annual Report 2017 Contents INTRODUCTION About 4 Vision and Mission 6 Governance 7 Message from the Director 8 Message from the Chair 10 PERSONNEL 12 Centre Staff 16 Collaboration Network 18 RESEARCH REPORT 20 Research Themes 22 Research Projects 24 Publications 30 Presentations 34 CENTRE PROGRAMS 42 Education 44 The Brain Dialogue 48 Neuroethics 52 Neuroinformatics 54 Industry Engagement 56 Gender, Equity and Diversity 57 Centre Events 58 Sponsorship 60 LOOKING AHEAD 2018 62 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 64 FINANCE AND FUNDING 66 INTRODUCTION About the Centre Understanding how the brain interacts with the world is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. To address this challenge, brain researchers from around the country, with expertise across multiple disciplines have joined forces to establish the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function (Brain Function CoE). The Centre has developed an integrated research program aimed at studying the brain across a multitude of spatial and temporal scales. By integrating research across scales and disciplines, the outcomes of the Centre will provide a more comprehensive understanding of how the brain functions as a whole. The Centre's research has focused on understanding how the brain integrates information at multiple scales, from nerve cell electrical and biochemical activity through patterns of activity in large scale circuit networks to yield complex behaviour in the three key daily-life functions of attention, prediction, and decision behaviour. In parallel, Centre researchers are developing powerful predictive models of processes at each of the different scales to feed into the development of novel neural technologies for patentable devices and software. Beyond research outcomes, the Centre has a commitment to maximise its influence, by disseminating research achievements and fostering discussion of emerging issues with stakeholders, both within academia and across the broader public sphere. In addition, the Centre is fostering a community of scholars by mentoring future research leaders skilled in this multi-disciplinary approach that will meld neuroscience, physics, and engineering. Through this process the Centre strives to maintain topicality and remain at the forefront of international research by engaging with international neuroscience initiatives, to ensure Australian neuroscientists provide an influential voice in the ethical, social and economic impact of brain research to the wider community. Read more about the Centre brainfunction.edu.au Vision and mission Strategic objectives Awarded in 2014 as part of the Australian Research Council 1. Reveal how the brain integrates information in large- (ARC) Centres of Excellence Scheme, the Brain Function scale networks to yield complex behaviour. CoE is a seven-year research program funded by the ARC with contributions from six universities across Australia. 2. Develop neural technologies and translate them into patentable devices and software; Ensure that Led by Monash University (Administering Organisation), Australians benefit from the rapid advances being the Centre brings together researchers from the made in neurotechnologies. University of Queensland, the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, Australian National University, 3. Maximise dissemination and exploitation of and the University of New South Wales (Collaborating research findings across the education, medical and Organisations), alongside QIMR Berghofer, and 11 government sectors, into industry, and across the international partnering institutions across Europe, Japan broader community, to facilitate social change and and the USA (Partner Organisations). progress. Mentor a new generation of future leaders at the Vision 4. interfaces between neuroscience, physics, and To understand how the brain interacts with the world. engineering, to create an international competitive culture of combined theoretical and experimental neuroscience. Mission 5. Position Australia amongst the world leaders in the By focusing on the complex brain functions that underlie international drive to expand the understanding attention, prediction and decision-making, Centre for of the brain. Serve as an Australian focal point for Integrative Brain Function researchers are undertaking interactions with leading international neuroscience fundamental investigations into the principles of brain initiatives, including the Human Brain Project and the structure and function. The Centre is studying the BRAIN initiative. relationship between brain activity and behaviour at multiple spatial and temporal scales, to build an integrated model of how attention, prediction and decision- making occurs. This is being accomplished by a research program based on four interconnected themes: Cells and Synapses, Neural Circuits, Brain Systems, and Models and Technologies. Advisory Board Director Research Administration Centre programs EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Centre manager Neuroinformatics Theme leaders Central theme staff Industry engagement Organisational representatives Node administrators Education & outreach Gender, equity & diversity CENTRE RESEARCHERS Neuroethics Chief investigators (CIs) Partner investigators (PIs) Associate investigators (AIs) Centre fellows (Post-Docs) Centre scholars (PhD students) Affiliate researchers Organisational chart 6 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - introduction Governance Advisory Board Executive Committee The Advisory Board provides strategic direction and The Executive Committee oversees the Centre’s operations advice regarding all aspects of the Centre’s activities to the and comprises representatives from each research theme, Director. The Board meets a minimum of twice per year – collaborating institution and senior Centre personnel. both in person and virtually, and are invited to partake in In 2017, the Executive Committee met monthly and annual scientific meetings. comprised: Members have significant experience in collaborations involving multiple large organisations, as well as international neuroscience activities, industry, and Executive Committee members government engagement. In 2017, the Advisory Board welcomed the appointment of two additional members, » Prof Gary Egan, Director, Brain Function CoE, Dr Jeanette Pritchard and Dr Stella Clark, who will Monash University provide guidance on industry linkages and mentorship » Prof Marcello Rosa, Deputy Director, Brain Function opportunities for Centre members. CoE, Monash University Advisory Board members » Prof Jason Mattingley, Associate Director, Brain Function CoE, Brain Systems, University of » Prof Lyn Beazley, Chair, Past Chief Scientist of Queensland Western Australia, Perth, Australia » Prof Pankaj Sah, Neural Circuits, University of » Dr Amanda Caples, Lead Scientist, Victorian State Queensland Government, Melbourne, Australia » Prof Greg Stuart, Cells and Synapses, Australian » Prof John Funder, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute of National University Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia » Prof Peter Robinson, Models and Technologies, » Prof David van Essen, Director, Human Connectome University of Sydney Project, St Louis, USA » Prof Ulf Eysel, Principal Investigator, Department of » Prof Michael Ibbotson, University of Melbourne Neurophysiology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany » Prof George Paxinos, University of New South Wales » Dr Allan Jones, CEO, Allen Brain Institute, Seattle, » Dr Glenn Papworth, Centre Manager, Monash USA University » Dr Jeanette Pritchard, Executive Officer, The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation, Melbourne, Australia » Dr Stella Clark, Executive Director, Stella Connect Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia Senior leadership Centre Director Prof Gary Egan oversees the Centre’s research and operations while playing a key role in the development of industry engagement activities. Deputy Director, Prof Marcello Rosa, is instrumental in the development of international collaborations and partnerships. Associate Director Prof Jason Mattingley plays a critical role in the strategic development of key initiatives in the Education and Training Program and acts as an alternate for Professor Rosa. ARC CoE FOR INTEGRATIVE BRAIN FUNCTION 7 Message from the Director The essence of a Centre of Excellence “– the whole truly being more“ than the sum of its individual parts – was evident in the Centre in 2017. 8 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - introduction In 2017 the Centre for Integrative Brain Function passed the halfway mark in our seven-year funding period, and the process of preparing for our successful mid-term review (held in November) necessitated reflection on what we as a Centre of Excellence have achieved to this point and where we plan to go from here. In 2017 we reached the midpoint of the Australian Research programs continued to thrive in 2017, with unprecedented Council’s funding period for the Centre for Integrative turnout from the general public to community Brain Function. During the year we successfully prepared engagement events that were held across the country. We for the mid-term review that was held in November, we also