TUIHANA RANGAHAU/AUT RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Study with us

Our students are a key part of the Brain Health Research Institute. We believe in supporting students to achieve academically, as well as supporting their wider career development goals.

Interested in studying with us?

We can support research activities alongside clinical papers (Honours, MHSc) or as a research only degree (MPhil or PhD).

We welcome enquiries from anyone with an interest in postgraduate study in the area of brain injury and concussion – and especially those with an interest in:

  • Brain injury in vulnerable groups
  • Social aspects of brain injury
  • Brain injury in older adults
  • Non-pharmacological interventions to support recovery from brain injury
  • Use of assessment tools in brain injury

Students studying TBI at other institutions

We can also support students studying TBI at other institutions by helping to profile their work, connecting them in with other researchers in the field and assisting with recruitment.

Contact us

Alice Theadom, Director
Phone: +64 9 921 9999 x7805
Email: bhri@aut.ac.nz

What our students say

Here’s what some of our students have to say:

Charlotte, 2025

“Working with the BHRI has been an incredible experience. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with experts and community organisations in an environment that truly encourages innovation. The strong sense of collaboration and shared commitment to advancing TBI research and driving community-focused initiatives has been truly inspiring. A special highlight has been working alongside Alice, her expertise, enthusiasm, and support for students created a unique opportunity for me to complete my thesis while connecting with a network of professionals in the field.”

Mayan, 2025

“Studying with the Brain Health Research Institute has been a deeply rewarding experience. The team’s collaborative approach, wide range of expertise, and shared commitment to improving brain health create an environment where you can genuinely explore your own interests while feeling fully supported. I’ve had the chance to be involved in a variety of engaging research areas and to grow as an independent researcher.”

Sam, 2025

“BHRI is an absolute treasure in New Zealand academia. The diversity of expertise and attitude of collaboration within the team and toward the community has created an environment that avoids many of the pitfalls of beginning a research career. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have had in completing my PhD with support from BHRI and can highly recommend connecting with the team.”

Christi, 2025

“Studying within the Brain Health Research Institute has contributed significantly to my scientific development. The BHRI provided both the mentorship and intellectual freedom to refine my research, pursue ambitious scientific approaches, and build meaningful connections not only in academia, but across clinical practice and the wider community. These opportunities not only broadened my scientific portfolio but opened doors for me both nationally and internationally as I transitioned into a research career.”

Current student research at the Brain Health Research Institute

These current projects by some of our students give an idea of the scope of research going on at the Brain Health Research Institute:

  • Cassandra McGregor (Masters) Quantitative susceptibility mapping and T2 relaxometry of amygdala and thalamic nuclei in acute mild traumatic brain injury
  • Charlotte Bray (PhD) How do we measure recovery following mild TBI?
  • Qi Zhang (PhD) The effect of acute exercise on balance: Implications for diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injuries
  • Sarniya Moganathas (MPhil) Walking patterns, hormonal cycles, and injury risks in female athletes’ post-concussion
  • Daniel Lambert (MPhil) Enhancing recovery after mTBI: Investigating aerobic and resistance exercise protocols
  • Katherine Forch (PhD) Investigating a physical exertion testing protocol in the assessment of balance and visual function following sport-related mild traumatic brain injury
  • Natalie Hardaker (PhD) The impact of female sex hormones on concussion
  • Nikki Reynolds (PhD) Signals in the blood: Developing personalised reference ranges and validating UCH-l1 and GFAP for acute mTBI detection and recovery prediction
  • Mahmoud Abdallah Hassan Almomani (PhD) AI-driven injury risk prediction and prevention in taekwondo
  • Rachel Skilling (Masters) Exploring the relationship between post-exertion oculomotor function and recovery after sports-related mild traumatic brain injury
  • Renata Gottgtroy (PhD): An applied data science approach for mild traumatic brain injury healthcare pathway recommendations
  • Louise Patterson (PhD) The old-to-the-new. Adapting the PASAT to the diagnosis of TBI.
  • Sarah Rodgers (MPhil) Genetic factors and attention differences
  • Elise Callagher (PhD) Factors affecting cognitive recovery (in partnership with Victoria University of Wellington)

Past students

We enjoy seeing so many of our past students go on to some exciting careers, and we're pleased to continue to work with many of our students, even after their studies are completed.

These students have completed their studies with us at AUT:

  • Aria Courtney (Hons) Brain connectivity changes at the individual level following acute mild traumatic brain injury in athletes
  • Chevaunne Roffe (Hons) Mapping the aftermath: Investigating cortical thickness and white matter integrity after mild traumatic brain injury
  • Mayan Bedggood (PhD) Quantitative MRI T2 relaxometry and physical activity in acute mild traumatic brain injury: An exploration of the measurement and modification of potential neuroinflammation
  • Sam Guy (PhD) Understanding associations between traumatic brain injury, cognition, and offending behaviour
  • Christi Essex (PhD) Characterising microstructural grey matter pathology in acute mild traumatic brain injury: A quantitative susceptibility mapping approach
  • Savanna Youmans (Hons) Knowledge and perceptions of concussion and headgear in sailing
  • YuWen Huang (Hons)– Dual-task gait assessment using insole sensors to test recovery after sports-related concussion.
  • Kelsey Beet (Hons) – Qualitative study exploring kaumātua perspectives of living a healthy lifestyle for optimised brain health.
  • Isaac Tracey (Hons)– Systematic review of reporting quality of aerobic exercise interventions following mTBI.
  • Mahdi Zengi (PhD) Mild and moderate TBI in the emergency department (in partnership with University of Otago)
  • Colin Hancock (MPhil) What do GPs and physios understand and advice players regarding return to play advice after a concussion?
  • Geet Vahista (MPhil) EEG development for TBI brain biomarkers
  • Silin Wu (Hons) – Impact of mild TBI on social participation in the longer-term.
  • Lara Wilson (MPhil) How are brain injuries identified and managed within the justice sector?
  • Magdelena Durrant, (Hons) What do clinicians know and understand about brain injury in the context of domestic violence?
  • Josh McGeown (PhD): Optimisation of mTBI symptom assessment and rehabilitation strategies
  • Lena Kemp (Honours in Psychology) What are the psychosocial influences on recovery from injury for Māori
  • Yelda Tokhi (Hons) Test retest reliability of the Brain Injury Screening Tool in a healthy population
  • Tara Munro (Hons) Is there a link between alcohol use and cognitive/neuropathological outcomes following repeated TBI in athletes
  • Jules Lough (MHSc) Awareness of concussion in children engaged in Equestrian Activities
  • Maureen O’Reilly (Hons) Awareness and health care seeking post-concussion in cyclists
  • Nusratnaaz Shaikh (PhD) Measuring community integration following TBI
  • Anna Keyter (MHSc) Symptom validity reporting after mild TBI
  • Tracey Mitchell (PhD) Understanding and managing TBI in an adult male correctional facility