Janet is recognised internationally in the area of autonomic neuroscience, especially the neural regulation of urogenital organs and the impact of injury on these nerves. Her interest in the neurobiology of pain has focused on pelvic visceral pain and spinal cord injury pain, especially in the context of plasticity of sensory and spinal neurons, as well as the actions of sex steroids and neurotrophic factors.
Janet currently leads a team supported by the NIH SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions) Program, to map the neural circuitry of the lower urinary tract in order to develop new neuromodulatory therapies A brief history: Janet graduated with a BSc (Hons) in reproductive endocrinology from the University of Adelaide (Supervisor: Prof Bob Seamark) and a PhD from Flinders University, where she studied the enteric nervous system under the mentorship of Professors John Furness and Marcello Costa. She was awarded an NHMRC CJ Martin Fellowship to undergo postdoctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh with Prof William (“Chet”) de Groat, focused on pelvic autonomic ganglia that innervate the urogenital organs. Upon returning to Australia to work with Prof Prof Elspeth McLachlan, she was recruited to an academic position at the University of Queensland, where she held a continuing Lectureship then Senior Lectureship position for 10 years. She was then awarded an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship, held at the University of New South Wales and then the University of Sydney, where she was appointed Director of Basic Research at the Pain Management Research Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital. In February 2012 Janet was appointed to the Chair of Anatomy and Neuroscience at the University of Melbourne and held the position of Head of Department from 2013-2017. In 2018, Janet received the Nina Kondelos Award from the Australasian Neuroscience Society, awarded annually to a female neuroscientist for outstanding contribution to basic or clinical neuroscience research.
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Janet Keast's highlights
FEATURED Journal article
Functional segregation within the pelvic nerve of male rats: a meso- and microscopic analysis
Read moreJanet Keast's selected work
Understanding Functional Connectivity Of Sensory And Motor Pathways To Specific Regions Of..
Research Grant
Sex differences inc-FosandEGR-1/Zif268 activity maps of rat sacral spinal cord following c..
Journal article
Understanding Functional Connectivity Of Sensory And Motor Pathways To Specific Regions Of..
Research Grant
Dissection of Pelvic Autonomic Ganglia and Associated Nerves in Male and Female Rats
Journal article
Electroceuticals Development - Bioelectronics Innovation Challenge Fund Phase 1
Research Contracts
Identification of a Sacral, Visceral Sensory Transcriptome in Embryonic and Adult Mice
Journal article
Janet Keast's selected work
Projects
Displaying the 14 most recent projects by Janet Keast.
Project Types
11
Research Grant
3
Research Contracts
Scholarly Works
Displaying the 134 most recent scholarly works by Janet Keast.
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Honours, Awards and Fellowships
2018 Nina Kondelos Award; an annual award to a female neuroscientist for outstanding contribution to basic or clinical neuroscience research
Credentials
Positions
Positions
Chair Of Anatomy And Neuroscience
Anatomy And Neuroscience
Education
Education
Doctor of Philosophy
Flinders University of South Australia
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Adelaide University
Bachelor of Science
Adelaide University