Dr Jessica Moretti has received a Newton International Fellowship at the University of Oxford, UK, awarded by the Royal Society.
A member of the Brain Plasticity Research group at the Perron Institute and UWA, Dr Moretti will be based at the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics (DPAG) with her new supervisor and laboratory head, Associate Professor Armin Lak and his team.
“My project focuses on understanding how multiple brain regions interact and coordinate their activity to enable learning and decision making.
“This work aims to provide fundamental insights into how neural circuits process information and initiate learning to turn random actions into learned behaviours.
“Securing a competitive fellowship and receiving recognition from outside our Western Australian community is rewarding. It’s wonderful to have the funding and support from the Royal Society to focus on this research for the next three years.
“The project itself involves a combination of many advanced neuroscience techniques which I’m excited to learn. I’m also looking forward to joining the DPAG at Oxford University and working with the researchers.
“The department has a great reputation and leads interesting and diverse research. I’m looking forward to working in a stimulating environment for my postdoc.
“I’m grateful for a rewarding PhD experience that gave me a lot of the skills and confidence to make this transition. Being surrounded by passionate and hardworking scientists such as Associate Professor Jenny Rodger, one of my supervisors and the head of the Brain Plasticity lab, has inspired me to continue doing research and challenge myself.”
Dr Moretti recently graduated with her PhD from The University of Western Australia and received an Honourable Mention on the Dean’s list.
Associate Professor Rodger said she is incredibly proud of Dr Moretti’s recent achievements.
“It has been a privilege to supervise her during her PhD and I have also enjoyed working with her as a colleague after her graduation.
“Jessica is a very creative and talented scientist. I am sure that she will be successful in Oxford and is destined to make a significant impact in her field of research,” Associate Professor Rodger said.
Congratulations, Dr Moretti.