SAHMRI salutes Tall Poppy

SAHMRI is proud to congratulate its recent recruit, Dr Nigel Rogasch, on being a 2019 Young Tall Poppy of the Year. 

The neuroscientist and Senior Research Fellow says this award is both an honour and a responsibility. 

“To have your work recognised in this way is something really special,” Dr Rogasch says. 

“It also provides a great platform to be able to share science stories with audiences beyond the research community. Not just my stories either; there are so many scientists doing amazing work here.” 

Science communication has always been a passion for Dr Rogasch, who returned to Adelaide last month to set up a magnetic brain stimulation laboratory with SAHMRI and the University of Adelaide. 

“I feel as scientists we have a responsibility to make sure the general public knows and understands what we do,” he says. 

“It’s also about attracting young people to science as a career. The earlier you can spark that interest in science the better. 

Dr Rogasch has featured in national TV, radio and print as well as regular public lectures and school visits. He also developed a primary school science club and established a work experience program to bring secondary students into the lab. 

His research combines non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroimaging methods to uncover differences between people with healthy cognitive function and those with schizophrenia. His team also investigates how to alter these mechanisms, potentially leading to new treatments to improve cognitive function across a vast range of brain disorders. 

SAHMRI Executive Director, Professor Steve Wesselingh, congratulated Dr Rogasch on his award. 

“I have to say this doesn’t come as a great surprise,” Professor Wesselingh says. 

“Nigel is an outstanding young researcher. We’re extremely fortunate to have someone of his calibre join us at SAHMRI.” 

The Tall Poppy Campaign was created in 1998 by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science to recognise and celebrate Australian intellectual and scientific excellence and to encourage younger Australians to follow in the footsteps of our outstanding achievers. It has mad significant achievements towards building a more publicly engaged scientific leadership in Australia.