Researcher recognised for childhood epilepsy work

Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) Dr Sarah Stephenson has been selected as one of the outstanding early career researchers to receive a 2021 Young Tall Poppy Science Award, for her work on childhood epilepsy. 

Dr Stephenson is Team Leader of the MCRI Neurogenetics Group where she uses advanced genomic technologies to study malformation of brain development (MBD), which can cause lesions on the brain.

Her research aims to understand the developmental process underlying lesion formation and its ability to cause seizures that are largely drug-resistant, and to identify and develop targeted medical therapies for paediatric brain disorders. 

The Tall Poppy Campaign was created in 1998 by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS) to recognise and celebrate intellectual and scientific excellence and to encourage younger Australians in the field.