PhD STUDENT
Nick Bariesheff

What is your current research interest?

Being able to harness the molecular message of exercise to improve retinal health and utilise these ‘messengers of exercise’ as a non-invasive intervention for neurodegenerative diseases.

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When did you first become interested in vision science?

In the last semester of my Bachelor’s degree

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What is your favourite experiment?

RNA extraction

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What are your favourite hobbies outside of the lab?

Football, tennis, gym, travelling, reading and playing drums

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What is your favourite cuisine?

German

Hi there! I’m Nick and I am nearing the end of my first year as a PhD Candidate in the Clear Vision Research Lab. I became extremely passionate about retinal physiology in the last semester of my Bachelor’s degree, which drew me to the CVR. I graduated my Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Canberra in 2019, before moving on to my Advanced Master’s degree in Neuroscience at ANU, where I completed a research project investigating the electrophysiological properties of retinal neurons via patch clamp, graduating with first class honours in 2021. 

My research in the CVR is focused at identifying the molecular benefits of physical exercise. The benefits of exercise to human health have long been recognised, however, despite this, how the protective benefits of exercise are communicated to the CNS, specifically the retina, surprisingly remain unknown. My research aims to elucidate how the act of physical exercise conveys these protective messages of exercise to the retina, and to see if we can harness these “messengers of exercise” for the treatment of retinal degenerations. Additionally, I am investigating the role of miRNAs as a potential therapeutic to treat retinal degenerations.  

It’s such a privilege to be a part of the Clear Vision Research group and to be involved in such fundamental research that will have such an impact on the community.