Three of ABI’s talented emerging scientists talk about their latest research and how it can make a life-changing difference for children with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is the leading cause of childhood physical disability, affecting 17 million children worldwide and 12,000 in New Zealand. The condition is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture. Early treatment can greatly improve quality of life, helping to correct movement and posture.

We were also joined by a special guest – Amy Hogan from the Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand, who shares her experience living with cerebral palsy.

Stephanie Khuu is studying for her PhD in Bioengineering, and her research aims to understand the process of skeletal muscle regeneration, and how this process is perturbed in the muscles of individuals with cerebral palsy.

Dr Geoffrey Handsfield was awarded a $1 million Aotearoa Foundation Fellowship in 2017 – $250,000 per year over four years – to research and model muscle degradation in children with cerebral palsy.

Dr Julie Choisne is leading a new project at the University of Auckland that aims to prevent bone deformation in children with cerebral palsy, and the hip, knee and ankle abnormalities that can result from the condition. She recently received a $250,000 Health Research Council Emerging Researcher grant to help her do so.