Supporting Bright Minds in Neuroscience

PhD candidate Eleanor Rose Bowley-Schubert was one of the 10 inaugural recipients of the Donald Simpson Neuroscience Scholarship, a pivotal step in her research journey. Her work explores the link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), focusing on how “tau pathology [may promote] long-term neurodegenerative risk after a single head injury.”

“What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to uncover mechanisms that could potentially lead to early interventions for individuals at risk of AD following brain injuries. The complexity of neurodegeneration fascinates me, and I find it incredibly rewarding to contribute to a field with such profound clinical implications.”

Eleanor’s motivation is deeply personal.
“My Grandma had Alzheimer’s disease and passed when I was 17, but we really lost her, as we knew her, three years before that. Watching such a strong, independent woman become completely helpless and terrified of the world was truly horrific, and something no one should ever have to go through.”

With the support of the Donald Simpson Neuroscience Scholarship, Eleanor attended the 2024 Neurotrauma Conference, where she presented her findings and was awarded Best Oral Presentation by a South Australian PhD Student.

“Attending the Neurotrauma Conference was a valuable experience, allowing me to share my research, engage with leading experts in the field, and gain valuable insights that will shape the next steps of my work.”

Eleanor says the support of donors made a real difference to her career trajectory.
“I am incredibly grateful to all the NRF supporters who made this scholarship possible… Their contributions are making a real difference in advancing Neuroscience here in South Australia and supporting early-career researchers like myself.”

Since then, Eleanor has been offered a three-year postdoctoral position at the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behaviour in Bonn, Germany.

“The BBO lab investigates the role of vision in decision-making and the mechanisms underlying the functional integration of information. I am incredibly fortunate to be joining a Max Planck institute and excited to see where this takes me!”

Her journey reflects the purpose of the scholarship – empowering bright minds to grow, connect, and lead the next era of discovery.
“These scholarships provide invaluable opportunities to attend conferences, network with other researchers, gain exposure for your work and most importantly, build confidence in yourself as a researcher.”

Celebrating the 2025 Donald Simpson Neuroscience Scholars

We were honoured to announce the recipients of the Donald Simpson Neuroscience Scholarships, established in memory of the late Dr Donald Simpson AO, at our recent 2025 Research Showcase.

These prestigious scholarships support the next generation of neuroscience researchers, whose work is already making a meaningful impact in their respective fields:

• Sidra Khan – Brain Tumour Research

• Reeya Chetan Patel – Spinal Cord Injury / Paediatric Neuro-Oncology

• Rosie Costigan-Dwyer – Stroke Research

• Isaac Saywell – Parkinson’s Disease Research

Your generosity helps create opportunities like these – empowering young researchers to take bold steps in discovery, here in South Australia and across the world.