Professor Katie McMahon

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PhD (University of Queensland)

Summary:  Prof McMahon is the Deputy Director of Herston Imaging Research Facility, and Academic Lead Research for the School of Clinical Sciences. She has over 25 years' experience in biomedical imaging and imaging analysis.

Research: Her research interests lie in understanding the neurobiology of language, learning and memory, and the genetic and environmental influences on brain structure and function. When these cognitive systems fail, either due to stroke or a degenerative disease like Parkinson’s, imaging markers of lesion size, position and brain network damage might be able to be used to optimise therapeutic intervention, by providing insights on the best type of therapy. She is also investigating behavioural and neurological markers in children with language development problems, such as autism or specific language impairment.  In addition, Prof McMahon collaborates on work looking at musculoskeletal function and MRI markers in whiplash.

Teaching: Prof McMahon contributes to undergraduate lectures in radiation therapy and medical imaging, and has helped develop the online professional development course, MR guided radiation therapy. She has co-developed several hands on practicals at HIRF, for 3rd and 4th year undergraduate courses. She has several higher research degree students. If you are interested in discussing projects, please reach out.

Additional information

Experience

I work closely with Queensland Health in many of my research projects, with generous support from philanthropic organisations, such as Cancer Care Queensland, Perpetual and Royal Brisbane Foundation. I am a member of the National Imaging Facility human imaging theme, and scientific advisory committee.

Publications

Research Projects

Title
Predicting and Promoting Aphasia Recovery
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
1104194
Start year
2016
Keywords
Aphasia; Stroke Rehabilitation; Speech Pathology; Brain Imaging; Language Impairment
Title
A Prospective Study of Language Impairment and Recovery Following Surgery for Brain Tumours
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
1079157
Start year
2015
Keywords
Title
Enhancing Language Learning in Ageing with Exercise
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
DP160104162
Start year
2016
Keywords
Title
Concepts and Control in Speech Production
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
DP150103997
Start year
2015
Keywords
Speech Production; Cognitive Neuroscience; Aphasia
Title
Neural Mechanisms of Language Facilitation in Aphasia due to Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
1085272
Start year
2015
Keywords
Stroke; Language Impairment; Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI); Language Disorders; Stroke Rehabilitation
Title
Neurodevelopment during Adolescence: A Longitudinal Imaging Study
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
1078756
Start year
2015
Keywords
Twins; Brain Imaging; Quantitative Genetics; Adolescent Health; Mental Health

Current Supervisions