Rewarding experience for Fellow
A Romanian pharmacologist who has spent six months at the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide learning new scientific techniques says the experience has been "life changing". Dr Magda Cuciureanu, a teaching assistant at the Grigore T. Popa 最新糖心Vlog of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi, Romania, was awarded a Group of Eight (Go8) European Fellowship earlier this year. The 33-year-old has been researching the role of a specific brain molecule (or neuropeptide) called Substance P in post-traumatic stress disorders, a severe anxiety disorder that develops after major psychological trauma. Working under the supervision of Professor Bob Vink, Head of the School of Medical Sciences, Dr Cuciureanu said the scientific techniques and new teaching methods she has learned during her Fellowship have been invaluable. "The skills and experience from this Fellowship will not only help me in my academic career, but it will also have a huge impact on the hundreds of Romanian undergraduate medical students who I teach in my home country," she said. Dr Cuciureanu said she applied to study at Adelaide because the city is "safe, friendly, and provides an excellent environment for research". "I was also very keen to learn from Professor Vink, who has an international reputation for his work in neuropeptides and drug development." Substance P is a neuropeptide that comes into play when the body is stressed and reacts accordingly. These responses include hyperventilation, bronchial restriction, sleeping difficulties, increased gastric problems, and raised blood pressure and heart rate. "It is common for people who have suffered a major trauma or life-threatening event to experience some of these physiological changes in the weeks and months after the event," she said. "I am looking at the potential benefit of a chemical called an NK1 antagonist (blocker) which medicates these responses and acts like an anti-depressant." Dr Cuciureanu has a medical degree and PhD in Pharmacology. She will return to her university in mid-September. The Go8 European Fellowships are offered to early career researchers in the following eastern European countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Story by Candy Gibson Applications for the 2011 Go8 European Fellowships close on 22 October. For more information visit:
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