Dr Clarkson’s research focuses on post-stroke neuroprotection and regeneration and repair mechanisms.  He uses novel combinations of intensive rehabilitation  and drug therapies to enhance brain repair processes in order to promote better recovery of function following a stroke.  He, along with co-researcher Dr Christine Jasoni, received $880,407 from a three-year Health Research Council Project Grant in 2010.  Dr Clarkson last year received grant funding to the value of $113,000.  He is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department.  To learn more about Dr Clarkson’s research please click here.

Dr Halcrow’s research looks at infant and child health and disease in prehistoric Southeast Asia, focusing specifically on the effects of agriculture on human life.  She, along with Senior Research Fellow Dr Nancy Beavan, leads a research team that recently uncovered human remains in ceramic jars and coffins from sites in the remote Cardamom Mountains of southern Cambodia.  This research features prominently in the latest edition of Radiocarbon.  Dr Halcrow received a Marsden Fast-Start Grant in 2012, and last year was awarded a New Zealand Fullbright Travel Award which enabled her to travel to the USA to present her research to colleagues at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, and the University of Oregon.  Dr Halcrow is a Lecturer in the Department.  To learn more about her research please click here.

Dr Knapp’s research focuses on how species interact with their environment on the molecular and on the population level.  His interdisciplinary work aims at addressing two key questions: 1) how did past environmental change and human migration shape our present day biodiversity?  And 2) what is the genetic basis of evolutionary adaptation to new environments?  He uses cutting edge next-generation sequencing technology to reconstruct the population dynamics of humans as well as the animals they encountered on their ancient journey out of Africa and across the globe.  Dr Knapp is the Principal Investigator of a research project entitled “The history of giants - population genetics of the world's largest raptor” which is funded by the Australia and Pacific Science Foundation, and an Associate Investigator in two Marsden Grant funded projects investigating the settlement of the Pacific and its impacts on the fauna of Pacific islands.  He is a Research Fellow in the Department of Anatomy.  To learn more about Dr Knapp’s research please click here.

Dr Clarkson, Dr Halcrow and Dr Knapp now become members of the University’s O-Zone group.  The O-Zone group comprises early to mid-career researchers who have been recognised by the University of Otago for their significant contributions to their fields.

Photo: (L to R) Dr Clarkson, Dr Halcrow, Dr Knapp