Our People

Professor Michael Barnett is a staff neurologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Senior Lecturer in Neurology at the University of Sydney. He is appointed to the MS Society Clinic at the Brain and Mind Centre, and was previously Fellow and Locum Consultant in Neurology & Neuro-ophthalmology at the National Hospital for Neurology, London, UK. He holds a PhD in Multiple Sclerosis pathogenesis. Professor Barnett practices as a general Neurologist but has particular interests in Neuroimmunology & Multiple Sclerosis, Neuro-ophthalmology and Neurophysiology.

Associate Professor Michael Buckland is head of Neuropathology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney and an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney. He received his medical degree from the University of Sydney in 1993, and his PhD in Neurobiology from the University of New South Wales in 2000. He became Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists in 2004, and has since devoted his pathology expertise to matters of the brain.

Dr Julia Morahan coordinates the MS Australia Brain Bank. Julia has a Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Sydney and a PhD in Neurology and Genetics undertaken at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Following her PhD, which investigated the neurodegenerative condition Motor NeuronDisease (MND).

In 2009, Julia switched her focus to MS and became the first recipient of a joint MS Research Australia – MS UK Fellowship, to work at the University of Oxford which was supported by the Macquarie Group Foundation. Upon Julia’s return to Sydney in 2012, Julia joined MS Research Australia as the Research Development Coordinator, followed by her role as the Deputy Head of Research.

Office: +61 2 8413 7921
Fax: +61 2 8413 7999
Email: brainbank@msaustralia.org.au

Dr Andrew Affleck is a Senior Hospital Scientist at RPA Hospital and has built his career around his passion for brain banking. He manages both the MS Research Australia Brain Bank and the Australian Sports Brain Bank. He has more than 10 years’ experience in the collection, characterisation, and storing of brain tissue for research, with a focus on neurodegeneration. Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the MS Research Australia Brain Bank, and is committed to continuing efforts to further understand MS and supporting researchers in their efforts to find better treatments and a cure for MS.

Ms Danielle Davies is part of the team running the MS Australia Brain Bank. Danielle has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney and extensive scientific laboratory experience. As the biobanking scientific officer her responsibilities include database design/management and preserving/preparing MS tissue for characterisation of MS lesions.

Dr Fiona McKay is responsible for the communication of research information to the MS Australia community. She also oversees the NSW MS Research Network, MS Clinical Trials Network and the Australian New Zealand MS Genetics Consortium (ANZgene).

Fiona holds a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences and a PhD (Microbiology) from the University of Wollongong.

From 2003-2020, Fiona worked in the immunology of MS department at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney where her research encompassed cellular response to MS therapies; the influence of MS risk genes; and the role of EBV and innate immunity in MS. She has extensive experience in writing and reviewing academic manuscripts, ethics and governance documentation and research grant applications.

Email: brainbank@msaustralia.org.au

Mr Joshua Rose has worked in diagnostic medicine/pathology for 12 years, recently joining the medical research field. He handles the majority of the laboratory work, collaborating closely with his team and research scientists as a proud member of the MS Australia Brain Bank.  Joshua is dedicated to the highest quality work for the peace of mind of donors and their families and supporting excellence in MS research.