Rate My Professor Dan Johnstone

Dr. Dan Johnstone is a Grants Development Specialist in the Office of the PVC - Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, and Research Project Manager within the School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy at the University of Newcastle's College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing. He obtained his Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences with Honours and Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences from the University of Newcastle. Prior to his current roles, he held a position as Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney, supported by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship from 2013 to 2016.

Johnstone's academic interests lie in neuroscience, particularly the processes of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection. His research explores why the brain deteriorates with age and seeks innovative interventions to delay or prevent this decline. Key areas include Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, iron, mouse models, and photobiomodulation. Fields of Research classification: Neurosciences not elsewhere classified. He has produced numerous impactful publications and book chapters. A standout is "Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease" (Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2016; 115 Web of Science citations; 1 Scopus). Recent articles include "Remote photobiomodulation targeted at the abdomen or legs provides effective neuroprotection against parkinsonian MPTP insult" (European Journal of Neuroscience, 2023), "The brain's weakness in the face of trauma: How head trauma causes the destruction of the brain" (Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2023), "Twelve protections evolved for the brain, and their roles in extending its functional life" (Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 2023), and "Remote photobiomodulation: A systemic approach to neuroprotection" (2026). Additional significant works are "Exploring the Use of Intracranial and Extracranial (Remote) Photobiomodulation Devices in Parkinson's Disease: A Comparison of Direct and Indirect Systemic Stimulations" (Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2021; 23 Web of Science citations), "Remote tissue conditioning is neuroprotective against MPTP insult in mice" (IBRO Reports, 2018), "Shining a light on Parkinson's disease" (2016), "Photobiomodulation as a neuroprotective strategy for Parkinson’s disease" (2020), "Brain changes in iron loading disorders" (2012), and "Matrix Metalloproteinases and Related Proteins in Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders" (2005). Through these contributions, Johnstone has advanced knowledge on systemic neuroprotective strategies using photobiomodulation for neurodegenerative diseases.