Neuroscience and Pain Research

At the Kolling, we have world-leading expertise driving innovative research to better understand disorders that effect the brain, muscles and nerves.

Neurodegenerative disorders, mental health disorders and pain management represent some of the greatest health challenges today.

Our neuroscience research focuses on the diseases, disorders and injuries of the nervous system such as Parkinson’s, mitochondrial diseases, mental health disorders, spinal cord injury, brain cancer and pain.

Our pain management team is recognised as national leaders in pain research, effectively translating biomedical research into improved clinical care and education programs. An estimated one in five Australians suffer from chronic pain, locking many patients in to a cycle of medication, depression and bed rest, and costing the economy billions of dollars a year. We bring together a multidisciplinary group of clinicians, researchers and educators to improve our understanding of all forms of pain and their treatments, from acute to chronic pain and cancer pain management.

Professor Jose Antonio Lopez-Escamez

Professor Jose Antonio Lopez-Escamez

Co-Chair, Neuroscience and Pain

Head, Meniere Disease Neuroscience Program

Associate Professor Sanaa Zaki 

Associate Professor Sanaa Zaki 

Co-Chair, Neuroscience and Pain

Postdoctoral Scientist

Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research

Professor James Elliott

Professor James Elliott

Academic Director Kolling Institute

Academic Director Northern Sydney (Arabanoo) Precinct 

Neuromuscular Imaging Research Laboratory

Professor Sarah Hilmer 

Professor Sarah Hilmer 


Head of the Laboratory of Ageing and Pharmacology 

Professor Lisa Harvey 

Professor Lisa Harvey 

Senior Researcher 
John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research 

Professor Paul Glare 

Professor Paul Glare 

Head of the Pain Management Research Institute 

Dr Edwin Tan 

Dr Edwin Tan 

Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy 

Pain Management Research Institute

Dr Ryan Davis (BSc (HonsI), PhD)

Dr Ryan Davis

Senior Research Fellow, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney
Visiting Scientist, Genomics and Inherited Diseases Program, Garvan Institute

Neurogenetics Research Group

Professor Gin Malhi MB ChB, MD, FRCPsych, FRANZCP.

Professor Gin Malhi MB ChB, MD, FRCPsych, FRANZCP.

Psychiatry Chair, Northern Clinical School

CADE Clinic

Professor Christine Lu

Professor Christine Lu

Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney
Chair of Clinical Pharmacy, Northern Sydney Local Health District

Clinical Pharmacology Research Group

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