Kristie Stefanoska, PhD

Dr Kristie Stefanoska is currently a Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty Fellow in Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute. Dr Stefanoska is an expert in dementia, neuroscience and protein biochemistry. Her research focuses on mechanisms and functions of tau phosphorylation, tau-mediated interactions and novel functions of protein kinases in neurobiology, including assessment of memory function during health and disease. She has developed innovative tools to interrogate tau phosphorylation, which led to identification of central phospho-sites that control tau hyper-phosphorylation and how the tau protein arrives at a diseased state. Driver sites identified by Dr Stefanoska are prime candidates for tau biomarkers and interventions that disrupt tau pathology in dementia. Dr Stefanoska strives to translate basic research on tau phosphorylation into applicable outcomes such as blood-based biomarkers and tau-targeted immunization. She is involved in research and development of novel therapeutics targeting tau CSF and blood biomarkers. Her emerging leadership is emphasized by speaker invitations (inter)nationally, forming a research advisory committee involving individuals with lived experience, which guides future research and public outreach activities. She is a member of Franklin Women, Society for Neuroscience, ASMR, ECMR and ASBMB, developing new collaborative ties for multi-disciplinary dementia research through these platforms.