Knowledge ultimately is the great equaliser; it sets you free through the opportunities it allows you to create.
Dr. Lila Landowski is a multi-award winning neuroscientist and senior lecturer at the University of Tasmania, and a Director of Science and Technology Australia. She is a regular guest expert science communicator for the ABC, a keynote speaker at Saxton Speakers, and is a Fides health ambassador for the World Health Organisation. Her research spans various areas including stroke, nanotechnology, and nerve regeneration, and she has taught in diverse fields such as medicine, nursing, biotechnology and science over the last 15 years.
Lila has a strong personal focus on community health and wellbeing, making the wonderful world of science more accessible to the community through radio, TV, public talks and in print and digital media. The TEDx speakers’ achievements include receiving the Premier’s Young Achiever of the Year and an AIPS Young Tall Poppy award, as well as being a finalist for an Australian Museum Eureka Award and Young Australian of the Year. She was featured in the documentary "Catching Opportunity," and has appeared in two episodes of ABC’s new docuseries Secret Science (Brain training and The Senses). Lila was named one of ABC Science Show’s Top 100 Scientists, and was named as one of Australia’s top 20 Scientists by the Herald Sun.
A leading voice in STEM and advocacy, Lila holds honorary titles such as “Superstar of STEM,” and has been an ambassador for public school education, a Patron of Science, and was named a “Science superhero” by Australia’s Chief Scientist.
As a neuroscientist, Lila’s research expertise is in axon guidance, neural repair mechanisms and therapeutic development for nerve damage. In 2014, after completing her PhD at the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Lila trained at the Peripheral Nerve lab at the Mayo Clinic to cement her status as an emerging leader in the field of peripheral nerve injury. She was recruited to teach and coordinate neuroscience units at the Wicking Dementia Centre at the same time. In recent years, her research focus has shifted from peripheral neuropathy to stroke and fatigue. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Professor David Howells. For several months (from August 2016 - April 2017), Lila spent time as a visiting scholar at the Florey Institute’s Melbourne Brain Centre (Austin Hospital, Melbourne), developing surgical skills and a novel model of stroke to bring back to UTAS. With the support of a $450,000 investment from the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation, her foremost research goal is to transform the success of pre-clinical stroke research.
Lila has taught into courses at the University of Tasmania for 15 years, working across various subjects for Medicine, Medical Research, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Science, Nursing, Dementia Care and Paramedicine She has been awarded two of the university’s highest honours; a Vice Chancellors citation for early career teaching, and a Vice Chancellors citation for community engagement.
Lila has a strong personal focus on the importance of science communication, public outreach, and community health and well-being.
Talking Points
A little stress conversation, a little more action please
Stress is more than just a feeling it's a hardwired, physical response. It is almost impossible to escape stress under the pressures of modern society. This can be problematic, especially at work and in our private lives, because long term stress turns us into more volatile and irrational versions of ourselves; altering our behaviour and emotions through its physical effects on brain size and structure, how brain cells connect, and how they function, right down to the level of our genes.A little stress conversation, a little more action please
The good news is, we can help reverse (or protect ourselves) from the effects of long term stress, using a range of cost-free behavioural interventions. This is particularly important because we often can't control the source of stress in our daily lives. Dr Landowski will explore the neuroscience of stress and take the audience through evidence-based approaches for stress reduction.
Brain hack: sharing the secrets to productive learning, backed by neuroscience
Our brains change as we age, making it significantly harder to learn - but it doesn't mean an old dog can't learn new tricks! There's smarter ways to learn than whatever it is you're doing right now. Dr Landowski will take you on a journey through the brain, examining some of the existing research on learning, and empower you with tools that help you learn faster and more effectively. This talk takes you on a journey through the brain, examining some of the existing research on learning, and empowers you with tools that help you learn faster and more effectively.
Brain hack: sharing the secrets to productive learning, backed by neuroscience
The neuroscience of sleep and dreams
When the sun goes down, our urge to sleep goes up. But why should we care? Well, for starters, inadequate sleep is the reason why doing shift work is considered a probable carcinogen according to the World Health Organisation. Yikes! Join Dr Landowski and learn about the neuroscience of sleep, and what goes wrong when we don't get enough, and how to improve it. And on the topic of sleep do you think that dreams are a mystical window into your future? Well, join us and find out what your dreams really mean.
The neuroscience of sleep and dreams
The neuroscience of the two big challenges we face in leadership
In a world where change is the only constant, understanding the impact of our environment on our brain and behaviour is more critical than ever. Dr Landowski’s talk will explore the brain's remarkable plasticity, demonstrating how age does not necessarily hinder our ability to acquire new knowledge and skills. Through examining cutting-edge research, she will introduce effective, science-backed methods to enhance learning and adaptability in the workplace and at home. Dr. Landowski will also shed light on the physical and psychological ramifications of stress - from its origins as a survival mechanism, to how it can impair our decision making and turn us into angry, irrational versions of ourselves. By weaving together these interconnected topics, attendees will leave equipped with actionable neuroscience-based tools to thrive in the midst of transition, improve team dynamics, and safeguard their mental health against the challenges of life.
The neuroscience of the two big challenges we face in leadership
The neuroscience of bad decisions/decision making in uncertain times
Decision making is a process that takes in all the information around us, compares it with all the things we've learnt - the brain processes that information, and decides what option is the most rewarding to you, and brings you to a decision. Sounds straightforward, doesn't it? Yet for some reason, we often find ourselves making bad decisions especially when it matters the most.The neuroscience of bad decisions/decision making in uncertain times
Dr Landowski takes you through the neuroscience of why we aren't so great at making decisions in uncertain times and what we can do about it. She examines how our ability to make decisions changes as we grow and develop, and what happens when factors like sleep deprivation and stress are thrown into the mix.
Video
Brain Hack: 6 secrets to learning faster, backed by neuroscience | Lila Landowski | TEDxHobart
Sharing the secrets to productive learning, backed by neuroscience. Dr Lila Landowski explains the methods which can be used to allow us to learn faster. Dr Lila Landowski is a multi-award winning neuroscientist and lecturer that expertly arms people with an understanding of how their brain works, to help them make better choices in their lives. She is also a Director of the Australian Society for Medical Research, a Director of Epilepsy Tasmania, as well as a regular guest expert science communicator for the ABC.Our guests LOVED Lila's Keynote and I've had nothing but praise and positive feedback. Her presentation was jam-packed full of simple tips and key takeaways for our leaders. She was also a p ... keep reading Lee Hecht Harrison
