Honors Student, Molecular Neurobiology Unit

A 'mover' in every sense, Gurkiran Kaur Flora migrated with her family from Kenya at the tender age of 12, to start a new life in Sydney. After ten years Gurkiran and her family moved again, this time to the sunnier-side of Australia, Perth. With a degree in Neuroscience from the University of NSW under her belt and a passion for research, Gurkiran came to the ANRI in search of a career. After gaining valuable work experience in the Molecular Neurobiology Unit at ANRI in late 2010, Gurkiran enrolled in the BMed Science honours course, under Dr Boulos' supervision. Her project is focused on the role of CypA and CD147 in Glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and the deadliest of all brain tumours. In just a few short months Gurkiran has made tremendous progress, and was recognised for her work by winning the Neuroscience Award at the recent Australian Society of Medical Research symposium. Not content to rest on her laurels, Gurkiran also took out the John and Rosemary Pearman Bachelor of Medical Science Scholarship for 2011, which honours another great Western Australian scientist, Professor Neville Stanley. Gurkiran has set her sights on starting her doctorate at the ANRI next year. We already know Gurkiran is a mover, but were sure she'll be a shaker in the world of science too.

Winner: NRP Neuroscience Prize - Best Student Presentation, at the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Symposium

Winner: Australian Neuroscsiences Society, Student Poster Prize ($300) - CBSM 2011 Conference