Brittany K. Rurak. 
Award for Excellent PhD Thesis in Psychology 

Award type: Science 

Brittany’s research used cutting-edge, non-invasive brain stimulation to investigate the pathophysiology of tremor in Parkinson’s disease. Her research showed that brain connectivity is weaker in Parkinson’s disease participants when off medication than on medication, with weaker connectivity associated with more severe tremor. These important findings could underpin new interventions that reduce tremor in movement disorders. Brittany published three first-author peer-reviewed papers in international journals. Brittany’s most recent paper, which established non-invasive brain stimulation as a reliable measure of brain connectivity in younger and older adults, was awarded the top publication by a Higher Degree by Research Student in Psychology at Murdoch University.

Brittany is committed to communicating her research: she presented at 14 conferences and won three awards for best oral presentation. Brittany also received four competitive travel grants to attend two national and two international conferences. Brittany successfully secured project funding for her PhD ($3,000) and post-doctoral research ($10,000). She is an advocate for Women in STEMM, having played a major role in the Murdoch University Women in STEMM Research Symposium, including securing funding to host the event ($5,000). In 2023, Brittany will start her postgraduate studies to become a registered Clinical Psychologist.