Dr. Angela Laird

Associate Professor

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Biography

Associate Professor Laird is a mid-career researcher with over 16 years of post-doctoral experience, focusing on central nervous system disorders. Her research mainly involves using in vivo models, including zebrafish and rodents, to study mechanisms and potential treatments for neurological disorders. A/Prof Laird leads the Neurodegeneration Treatment Team at the Macquarie Medicine School, which is made up of ten researchers working on motor neuron disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type-3 (SCA3, known as Machado Joseph Disease, MJD). In 2018, her team successfully produced and characterized the world’s first zebrafish model of SCA3, which acts as a tool for testing the effects of potential treatments, including drugs and gene modifications. Furthermore, her research interests encompass mitochondrial dysfunction, gut microbiome interactions, and neurodegenerative disease. A/Prof Laird also enjoys mentoring new scientists and has academic commitments that include teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervising higher degree research candidates, and fostering collaboration within her research team. In 2024, she was honored as one of COSMOS Magazine's 50 Remarkable Inspirational Women in Australian Science.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2026-01-01 — Present

Macquarie University • Australia

Leading research on central nervous system disorders.

Senior Research Scientist

2010-01-01 — 2016-02-01

ANZAC Research Institute • Australia

Conducted research on neurodegenerative diseases.

Postdoctoral Fellow

2008-05-01 — 2010-10-01

University of Leuven • Belgium

Engaged in neurological research.

Awards

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COSMOS Magazine's 50 Remarkable Inspirational Women in Australian Science

2024-01-01
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Emerging Leadership Research Award

2020-01-01
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Early Career Researcher Article Prize

2017-01-01

Requirements for Macquarie University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:94
PTE
Listening
Required:58
Reading
Required:58
Writing
Required:58
Speaking
Required:58
Overall
Required:65
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from a recognised institution Minimum 3 years full-time equivalent work experience at a managerial/professional level
Application Checklist
  • Official Academic Transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Statement of Motivation
  • Evidence of Work Experience
Specialization Notes

Applied to Department of Business (MBA Program).