Dr Fiona Kumfor
Senior Research Fellow
NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellow
Clinical Neuropsychologist
Member of the Brain and Mind Centre
Member of the Charles Perkins Centre
A19 - Griffith Taylor Building
The University of Sydney
Telephone | (02)91144181 |
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Biographical details
Dr Fiona Kumfor holds a Masters of Clinical Neuropsychology (Macquarie University) and a PhD in Neuroscience (University of New South Wales). She is currently an NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellow (2016-2019), Senior Research Fellow in the School of Psychology and registered Clinical Neuropsychologist with AHPRA. Combining her clinical training in neuropsychology and research expertise in cognitive neuroscience her work investigates social cognition in clinical syndromes with a focus on dementia, and aims to improve diagnosis and prognosis of dementia, while also informing neurobiological models of complex human behaviours.
Research interests
My research focuses on understanding how abilities we usually take for granted, such as recognising someone you know, understanding how they feel and being able to empathise with others, can be affected in dementia. My research combines novel experimental paradigms with advanced neuroimaging to inform theoretical models of social cognition and improve diagnosis and prognosis of people with dementia.
Current research students
Project title | Research student |
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Cerebellar contributions to cognitive changes in frontotemporal dementias | Sherry CHEN |
The Role of Interoceptive Processing in Frontotemporal Dementia | Jess HAZELTON |
Investigating apathy and motivational changes in frontotemporal dementia | Emma JOHNSON |
A Conceptual Architecture of Emotion Processing in Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) | Andi Musrah MUSRAH |
Associations
President, Australasian Society for Social and Affective Neuroscience (AS4SAN) http://www.as4san.com/
Elected Early Career Representative, University of Sydney Dementia Network
Committee Member, Postgraduate Research Education Committee, School of Psychology
Brain and Mind Centre Neuropsychology Interest Group
Awards and honours
Australian Psychological Society (APS) Early Career Research Award, 2018
Arc Postgraduate Council Excellence in Postgraduate Supervision, University of New South Wales, 2016
Paxinos Prize for best paper published by a NeuRA Postdoctoral Fellow, Neuroscience Research Australia, 2015
Dean's Rising Star, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, 2014
Excellent PhD Thesis in Psychology Award, The Division of Psychological Research, Education and Training of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), 2014
Dean's List for Outstanding Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, 2012
Vice Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence, Macquarie University, 2012
In the media
ABC News Online. Why do we forget our family members' and close friends' names?http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-28/why-we-forget-family-members-names/745584428 May 2016.
ABC Melbourne (May 2016) Radio interview about “Why we forget family members’ names” with Jon Faine https://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/pe4L7xlR9D?play=true
ABC Radio National Interview (2015)“How brains forget to remember” http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rnafternoons/brain-memory/6522190
Article – Fairfax (Sydney Morning Herald, The Age) (2015)“The information our brains forget so they don’t become too ‘full’” http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/the-information-our-brains-forget-so-they-dont-become-too-full-20150608-ghj8y7
ABC Radio National AM Program "Emotional memories in dementia"http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2013/s3797787.htm,
Selected grants
2020
- Social and behavioural disturbances in dementia: Optimising detection and treatment; Kumfor F; National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/Career Development Fellowships.
2017
- Apathy in dementia: Identifying mechanisms for targeted interventions; Kumfor F, Irish M, Irish M; National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/Project Grants.
2016
- Identifying novel markers to differentiate frontotemporal dementia from Alzheimer's disease; Kumfor F; National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellowships.
Selected publications
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