Neurosciences (MSc/PhD/MD-PhD)

Laura Elizabeth Swan

EDUCATION

College / University

Scotch Oakburn College Launceston
Monash University Melbourne

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Science (Sci. Scholar) Hons.

Major Subjects

Theoretical Physics, Applied Mathematics
swan

Country

Australia

Lab Experience

Computer programming, application of the Tight-Binding Model in condensed matter physics, various staining and sectioning protocols for the rat brain.

Projects / Research

  • 2000: Study of the iron-binding properties of the rat brain with oestrus cycle. Psychology Department, Monash University
  • 1999: Honors thesis: Tight-Binding Model and small-radius hybridization of carbon nanotubes. Physics Department, Monash University
  • 1998: Tight-Binding Model and C60-crystals. Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Australian National University
  • Iron binding capacity of rat retina varies during the oestrous cycle. Zhang YF, Swan LE, Bishop GM, Robinson SR (2001), Proc. Aust. Neuroscience Soc., vol. 12, in press

Scholarships / Awards

Sir John Monash Scholarship

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

To be able to apply quantitative methods to synaptic transmission, and eventually to be able to simulate whole regions of neural activity (such as memory retrieval systems) using physiologically reasonable data.