Steve Kassem

Dr Steve Kassem completed his BSc at the University of Sydney in Neuroscience and Psychology. He then went on to complete his honours year at the Brain and Mind Research Institute where he published work revealing the composition of gray matter represented by its cellular bodies, and how changes to these cellular bodies resulted in concomitant changes in gray matter volume. Subsequently, he went on to complete his PhD in a dual supervision at the University of Sydney and the University of NSW, looking into the effects chronic stress and its morphological changes had on learning behaviours and their neural circuits. For his PhD, he won the Peter Bancroft Award for research excellence and a thesis which did not require amendment. Dr Kassem is an avid supporter of science communication. In 2017 he joined NeuRA, originally under the media and communications department, coming from his management role with the Sydney Science Festival. As of 2018, Dr Kassem was appointed as a postdoctoral fellow to work with Scientia Professor George Paxinos AO, bringing his novel histological and MRI skills to Prof Paxinos’ work on visualising and defining the brain.