A former Napier Girls' High School student has received a $102,600 grant from the Neurological Foundation to further her research into the children's neurodegenerative disorder, Batten disease.
Otago University student Nicole Neverman received the foundation's postgraduate scholarship after completing her study into Batten disease for which she received first class honours.
Nicole decided to do her honours project on Batten disease after completing a summer project on the link between autism and an anti-epilepsy drug, Valproic Acid. For her honours project, she investigated a particular form of Batten disease caused by mutations in a gene known as CLN6 and, for her PhD, Nicole is working on identifying new possible treatments to cure the disease.
To get funding for her PhD, she had to sit through seven interviews with the foundation.
``I feel extremely honoured to receive the scholarship as it is quite hard in New Zealand to get funding for neurological research,'' she said. ``Without this scholarship, it is unlikely I would be able to start my PhD. The scholarship has also allowed me to stay involved in a research area that I feel very passionate about.''
Nicole said not much was known about Batten disease. ``The only real link we have to it is autism.''
Her mother, Brenda Neverman, said: ``Nicole has studied hard to get where she is today, she has sacrificed much of her free time to her study.''
Mrs Neverman added: ``She hasn't gone out and burned any couches.''
Former Napier Girls' High school teacher Parama Naidoo had supported her daughter's interest in the biomedical sciences.
``I am thankful to Mr Naidoo. He encouraged our daughter to pursue her interest in the brain.''
Nicole will be back in the Bay in November for her father's birthday and will give a presentation on her research to Mr Naidoo's Year 13 biomedical class at Taradale High School. ``I am a bit nervous about my presentation, as I am only used to speaking to academics about my research. But I think the class will find it interesting.''-->-->
