Dr. Peggy Rentsch

Biography

Peggy Rentsch is a Conjoint Lecturer in the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of New South Wales. Her research focuses on uncovering the neuroinflammatory mechanisms and synaptic dysfunction that drive the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. She is particularly interested in the roles of activated microglia and astrocytes in the adaptive immune system and their contribution to various pathophysiological abnormalities in the brain. Peggy's work aims to investigate synaptic dysfunction, changes in synaptic structural plasticity, and the impact of the neuroinflammatory milieu on brain health. She is also dedicated to exploring anti-inflammatory treatments that may prevent or reduce gliosis and the infiltration of adaptive immune cells in the brain, with the hope of restoring normal glial function and improving synaptic transmission to alleviate the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. Peggy completed her undergraduate studies in Biotechnology in Germany and moved to Australia to complete her PhD at UNSW under the supervision of Professor Bryce Vissel in 2019. She joined the University of Technology Sydney as a postdoctoral researcher in 2022 before moving to St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research as a senior scientist and coordinator of organizational development. Over her academic career, she has supervised numerous honors and PhD students, contributing to their academic excellence and fostering the next generation of leaders in science and medicine.

Research Interests

Experience