A/Prof Nayagam graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2000, with a double major in biochemistry and molecular biology, and first class Honours in cortical neuroscience. Her Honours project was supervised by Professor James Vickers and investigated the way in which primary cortical neurons responded to injury in vitro, with an emphasis on the involvement of the neurofilaments and GAP43 proteins in mounting a regenerative response.
In 2003, Dr Nayagam moved into auditory neuroscience and undertook her PhD with Professor Rob Shepherd at the Bionics Institute (formerly Bionic Ear Institute), Melbourne. Her PhD examined the potential of stem cells to provide replacement neurons to the deaf cochlea, for which she received the Dean’s Prize for Excellence (2008). After post-doctoral experience as a Victoria Fellow working at Harvard University (Boston) and Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore) she returned to the University of Melbourne to establish an independent research group in stem cells and regeneration of the auditory nerve.
A/Prof Nayagam's research is focussed on better understanding the sensory biology of hearing and preventing the loss of key sensory cells during hearing loss. Her research spans regenerative stem cell biology and using advanced MRI to interrogate the human auditory brainstem. Details of research projects are available here:
http://healthsciences.unimelb.edu.au/research-groups/audiology-and-speech-pathology-research/auditory-neuroscience-unit
A/Prof Nayagam currently co-ordinates the Anatomy and Physiology subjects for the Masters of Audiology (ANAT90004) and the Masters of Speech Pathology (ANAT90011), and designed and co-ordinates the new undergraduate course in Auditory Neuroscience (Neur30007) at the University of Melbourne.
Dr Nayagam's laboratory and collaborators use a range of experimental techniques including micro-dissection, cell, stem cell and tissue culture and transplantation, fluorescence immunochemistry, confocal imaging, electron microscopy, electrical stimulation, in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology and magnetic resonance imaging. Bryony manages several national and international collaborations with over 40 peer-reviewed publications since 2006, and over 100 national and international conference abstracts. She has been independently funded by several major organisations including the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation, The Hearing CRC, and the University of Melbourne. She supervises students at all levels including PhD, Masters, Honours and UROP and welcomes enquiries at any time from prospective students.
Find out more about Bryony Nayagam's experience
Bryony Nayagam's highlights
FEATURED Journal article
Enriched retinal ganglion cells derived from human embryonic stem cells
Read moreBryony Nayagam's selected work
Projects
Displaying the 9 most recent projects by Bryony Nayagam.
Project Types
8
Research Grant
1
Internal Research Grant
Scholarly Works
Displaying the 56 most recent scholarly works by Bryony Nayagam.
Honours, Awards and Fellowships
Dean's Award for Excellence in a PhD Thesis
Victoria Fellowship
Wagstaff Fellow in Otolaryngology
Melbourne Postgraduate Research Scholarship (MRS)
Dean's Honour Roll
Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation Research Fellowship (2015-2019)
NH&MRC Australian-Based Biomedical Research Fellowship
Victoria Fellowship
Junior Wagstaff Fellowship in Otolaryngology
Credentials
Positions
Associate Professor In Auditory Physiology
Audiology And Speech Pathology
Honorary
Ophthalmology Eye And Ear Hospital
Honorary
Medical Bionics Department
Member
Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research
Executive Committee Member
Australian-French Association for Science and Technology
Member
Association for Research in Otolaryngology
Committee Member
Australian Society for Medical Research
Member
International Society for Stem Cell Research
Member
Australian Neuroscience Society
Education
Melbourne Teaching Certificate
University of Melbourne
Biomedical Research Management
University of Melbourne
PhD (Auditory Neuroscience & Stem Cell Molecular Biology)
University of Melbourne
Doctor of Philosophy
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Science (Hons)
University of Tasmania
Bachelor of Science
University of Tasmania