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Dr

Michelle Rank

Snr Lecturer Topographic Anatomy
Anatomy And Neuroscience
spinal cord injury
Patch clamp electrophysiology
synaptic plasticity
stroke
science & technology
life sciences & biomedicine
neurosciences & neurology
animals
neurosciences
Michelle Rank's Profile Picture
Dr

Michelle Rank

 
Division
Medicine, Dentistry And Health Sciences
 
Primary Interest
Improvement of motor recovery after adult stroke
Michelle Rank's Profile Picture
Dr

Michelle Rank

 

Research Interests
My research program investigates the mechanisms of spontaneous and intervention mediated rehabilitation in pre-clinical models of neonatal ischemic stroke/cerebral palsy, adult cortical ischemic stroke, and spinal cord injury (SCI). My translational research program directly address two of the most challenging problems in stroke and neurological disease research: how do we prevent widespread neuronal cell death immediately after a stroke or spinal cord injury and how do we promote functional rewiring in surviving neural networks to yield the greatest possible functional recovery for patients?Techniques: My research makes use of cutting-edge molecular (RNA-Seq, q-PCR), anatomical (immunohistochemical, histological), functional (whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology) and pharmacological (novel venom peptides) approaches with a strong focus on translational capacity.
Teaching Interests
I have a strong track record of teaching excellence in the areas of human anatomy with specialist expertise in neuroanatomy and musculoskeletal anatomy.

I am committed to pursuing excellence in anatomy teaching through educational leadership and development of novel digital teaching and assessment resources. I am especially passionate about technology driven teaching for large (600+) cohorts of students. My teaching practice uses novel and engaging techniques, including digital anatomy resources such as virtual and augmented reality, and 3D anatomy apps to enhance student learning and increase engagement. I am committed to excellence in anatomy teaching and providing an innovative and technology driven learning experience for all students.

Scholarly Works

Displaying the 18 most recent scholarly works by Michelle Rank.

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Stroke Severity, and Not Cerebral Infarct Location, Increases the Risk of Infection

Raymond Shim, Shu Wen Wen, Brooke J Wanrooy, Michelle Rank, Tharani Thirugnanachandran, Luke Ho, Tara Sepehrizadeh, Michael de Veer, Velandai K Srikanth, Henry Ma, Thanh G Phan, Christopher G Sobey, Connie HY Wong

Journal article  |  2019  |  Translational Stroke Research

Infection is a leading cause of death in patients with stroke; however, the impact of cerebral infarct size or location on infecti..

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Conditional microglial depletion in rats leads to reversible anorexia and weight loss by disrupting gustatory circuitry

Simone N De Luca, Luba Sominsky, Alita Soch, Hao Wang, Ilvana Ziko, Michelle M Rank, Sarah J Spencer

Journal article  |  2019  |  Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

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Is more always better? How different 'doses' of exercise after incomplete spinal cord injury affects the membrane properties of deep dorsal horn interneurons

MM Rank, MP Galea, R Callister, RJ Callister

Journal article  |  2018  |  Experimental Neurology

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Evolution of thyroid hormone distributor proteins

Thomas R McLean, Michelle M Rank, Peter M Smooker, Samantha J Richardson

Journal article  |  2017  |  Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

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The impact of junk foods on the adolescent brain

Amy C Reichelt, Michelle M Rank

Journal article  |  2017  |  Birth Defects Research

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Effects Of treadmill training on hindlimb muscles of spinal cord-injured mice

Camila R Battistuzzo, Michelle M Rank, Jamie R Flynn, David L Morgan, Robin Callister, Robert J Callister, Mary P Galea

Journal article  |  2017  |  MUSCLE & NERVE

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IN VIVO CHARACTERIZATION OF COLORECTAL AND CUTANEOUS INPUTS TO LUMBOSACRAL DORSAL HORN NEURONS IN THE MOUSE SPINAL CORD

KE Farrell, MM Rank, S Keely, AM Brichta, BA Graham, RJ Callister

Journal article  |  2016  |  Neuroscience

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Gait recovery following spinal cord injury in mice: Limited effect of treadmill training

Camila R Battistuzzo, Michelle M Rank, Jamie R Flynn, David L Morgan, Robin Callister, Robert J Callister, Mary P Galea

Journal article  |  2016  |  The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine

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Electrophysiological characterization of spontaneous recovery in deep dorsal horn interneurons after incomplete spinal cord injury

MM Rank, JR Flynn, MP Galea, R Callister, RJ Callister

Journal article  |  2015  |  Experimental Neurology

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Functional changes in deep dorsal horn interneurons following spinal cord injury are enhanced with different durations of exercise training.

MM Rank, JR Flynn, CR Battistuzzo, MP Galea, R Callister, RJ Callister

Journal article  |  2015  |  The Journal of physiology

KEY POINTS: Exercise training after spinal cord injury (SCI) enhances collateral sprouting from axons near the injury and is thoug..

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Functional changes in deep dorsal horn interneurons following spinal cord injury are enhanced with different durations of exercise training

MM Rank, JR Flynn, CR Battistuzzo, MP Galea, R Callister, RJ Callister

Journal article  |  2015  |  JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON

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Exercise Training after Spinal Cord Injury Selectively Alters Synaptic Properties in Neurons in Adult Mouse Spinal Cord

Jamie R Flynn, Lynda R Dunn, Mary P Galea, Robin Callister, Robert J Callister, Michelle M Rank

Journal article  |  2013  |  Journal of Neurotrauma

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Polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials that trigger spasms after spinal cord injury in rats are inhibited by 5-HT1B and 5-HT1F receptors

Katherine C Murray, Marilee J Stephens, Michelle Rank, Jessica D'Amico, Monica A Gorassini, David J Bennett

Journal article  |  2011  |  Journal of Neurophysiology

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Adrenergic Receptors Modulate Motoneuron Excitability, Sensory Synaptic Transmission and Muscle Spasms After Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

MM Rank, KC Murray, MJ Stephens, J D'Amico, MA Gorassini, DJ Bennett

Journal article  |  2011  |  Journal of Neurophysiology

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Locomotion After Spinal Cord Injury Depends on Constitutive Activity in Serotonin Receptors

K Fouad, MM Rank, R Vavrek, KC Murray, L Sanelli, DJ Bennett

Journal article  |  2010  |  Journal of Neurophysiology

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Recovery of motoneuron and locomotor function after spinal cord injury depends on constitutive activity in 5-HT2C receptors

Katherine C Murray, Aya Nakae, Marilee J Stephens, Michelle Rank, Jessica D'Amico, Philip J Harvey, Xiaole Li, R Luke W Harris, Edward W Ballou, Roberta Anelli, Charles J Heckman, Takashi Mashimo, Romana Vavrek, Leo Sanelli, Monica A Gorassini, David J Bennett, Karim Fouad

Journal article  |  2010  |  Nature Medicine

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Role of endogenous release of norepinephrine in muscle spasms after chronic spinal cord injury

Michelle M Rank, Xiaole Li, David J Bennett, Monica A Gorassini

Journal article  |  2007  |  Journal of Neurophysiology

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Spastic tail muscles recover from myofiber atrophy and myosin heavy chain transformations in chronic spinal rats

R Luke W Harris, Charles T Putman, Michelle Rank, Leo Sanelli, David J Bennett

Journal article  |  2007  |  Journal of Neurophysiology

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Scholarly Works

Keyword Analysis

Clinical Health (organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions)
Neurosciences
Clinical Sciences
Medical Physiology
Psychology

Honours, Awards and Fellowships

2018

Faculty Engagement Award

RMIT University
2014

Sensory Neuroscience Prize for Outstanding New Research

Western Sydney University
2014

Deputy Vice Chancellor Award for Best ECR Researcher

University of Newcastle
2014

Award for Excellence in Medical Research by an ECR

NSW Office for Health and Medical Research

4

Awards

Credentials

Positions

Positions

Snr Lecturer Topographic Anatomy

Anatomy And Neuroscience

Member

Anatomical Society of Australia and New Zealand

Member

American Association of Anatomists

Member

Australasian Neuroscience Society

Member

Society for Neuroscience

Education

Education

Neuroscience

University of Alberta

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Neuroscience

Brock University

Links

Links