AUPOA HD Research Group attends Monash HD Research Day 2016

The AUPOA’s Huntington’s Disease (HD) research team attended the Monash HD Research Day on Friday 9th December 2016. At the research day, researchers and medical professionals presented and discussed current research outcomes with a focus on epigenetics and environmental factors contributing to symptom severity in HD.

The keynote address was presented by Professor Lesley Jones (Cardiff University). Professor Jones has been active in neurodegenerative research since the 1990’s, with a primary research focus on the genetics of HD.

The AUPOA was involved in two presentations on the day; a poster presentation outlining the history and future directions of HD research at the AUPOA, including information about our new nation-wide registry for HD patients and families interested in participating in HD research at the University of Melbourne, and an oral presentation by AUPOA HD research assistant and study coordinator, Stephanie Perin.

Stephanie presented the findings of a recent analysis completed by the HD research team looking at significant predictors associated with workplace disability in pre-manifest HD. Stephanie’s presentation won the prize for best oral presentation on the day.

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AUPOA researcher Stephanie Perin (centre) receiving the award for best oral presentation from Professor Lesley Jones (left) and Clinical Associate Professor Elizabeth McCusker (right).

Dr Anita Goh and Dr Samantha Loi from the AUPOA facilitated the event, and led the panel discussion at the conclusion of the event which aimed to generate further conversation about how we can continue to promote and grow HD research in Australia.

Panel members (L-R): Professor Julie Stout, Professor Ashley Bush, Professor Anthony Hannan, Professor Lesley Jones (Cardiff), Huntington’s Victoria CEO Tammy Gardner, Professor Dennis Velakoulis, Clinical Associate Professor Elizabeth McCusker.

For more information on HD research at the AUPOA, please click here.