Dr Oliver Rawashdeh
Dr

Oliver Rawashdeh

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52706

Background

I received my Bachelor's in Biology (2001) from Yarmouk University in Jordan, followed by postgraduate degrees from the University of Houston in Houston-Texas (2002-2007). My studies are integrative in nature, joining the best of both the Neuroscience world and Circadian Biology (the study of biological clocks). In the laboratory of Prof. Arnold Eskin, I investigated how processes as complex as learning and memory are modulated by biological clocks i.e. the circadian (about 24 hours) system, using Aplysia californica as the experimental model. After completing my Master's in Science in 2005, my research focused on the mechanism by which biological clocks modulate learning and memory. This work was performed in the laboratories of Prof. Gregg Cahill and Prof. Greg Roman, experts in chronobiology and behavioral neuroscience, respectively. Using Zebrafish as a model system, I investigated the role of melatonin, a night-time restricted hormonal signal, in modulating long-term memory consolidation. My findings, published in Science in 2007, shows that the circadian system via the cyclic night-time confined synthesis/release of melatonin “the hormone of darkness” functions as a modulator, shaping daily variations in the efficiency by which memories are processed. After receiving my Ph.D. in 2007, I joined as a postdoctoral fellow the laboratory of the pharmacologist and melatonin researcher Prof. Margarita Dubocovich. My postdoctoral work engaged in elucidating the role of melatonin in circadian physiology and pharmacology during development and ageing in rodents (Mus musculus) and non-human primates (Macaca mulatta) at the Feinberg School of Medicine (Northwestern University-Chicago) and the State University of New York (SUNY). From 2010-2015, I held a teaching/research position in the Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomy and the Dept. of Neurology at the Goethe University in Frankfurt-Germany. During this time, I was involved in teaching gross human anatomy while continuing my endeavor in understanding the mechanistics involved in shaping memory processes (acquisition, consolidation and retrieval) by the circadian system.

Availability

Dr Oliver Rawashdeh is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Animal behaviour Animal neurobiology Animal physiology - systems Biological Sciences Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Cell neurochemistry Education Health Sciences Mathematical Sciences Neurosciences Signal transduction Systems biology Zoology

Qualifications

  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Houston
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Houston

Research impacts

I have always been intrigueed by the importance of the biological time-keeping system in regulating physiological and behavioural processes as complex and important as learning and memory. A memory is a defining factor of who we are, similar to a passport or fingerprint "we are our memories". The efficiency by which we aqcuire new information (learning) and form memories is dependent on temporal factors generated by our inner time-keeping system, the circadian system, which imposes regulatory actions on anatomical structures inlcuding those pivotal for memory processing. This phenomenon has deep fundamental evolutionary roots, since the circadian modulation of learning and memory is conserved across species, as we and others have demonstrated. My research focuses on identifying the biological clocks and pacemakers that regulate hippocampus-dependent learning and memory processes and deciphering the means of communication between the circadian clock and the limbic system (anatomical structures specialized in the generation, processing and storrage of informations and emotions). hence, the memories that shape our behavior are based on theinformation we efficiently aquire, which is dependent on the time-of-day when information processing takes place.

Humans are under the mercy of increasingly accelerating technological advancements and slaves to our own and growing greed. Our bodies are not designed to function to meet such demands, simply because evolution is lagging behind! Since we are less likely to change and cure the directionality of modern-life style and its demands, a fundamental understanding to how the circadian system interacts to modulate physiology, particularly memory processing, will aid in providing therapeutics aimed to enhance our adaptability (metabolic, cognitive...etc) to continuous and rapid temporal shifts.

Search Professor Oliver Rawashdeh’s works on UQ eSpace

42 works between 2005 and 2024
All (42) Journal Article (37) Conference Publication (4) Other Outputs (1)

1 - 20 of 42 works

2024

Journal Article

Adrenergic Agonists Activate Transcriptional Activity in Immortalized Neuronal Cells From the Mouse Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

Langiu, Monica, Dehghani, Faramarz, Hohmann, Urszula, Bechstein, Philipp, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Rami, Abdelhaq and Maronde, Erik (2024). Adrenergic Agonists Activate Transcriptional Activity in Immortalized Neuronal Cells From the Mouse Suprachiasmatic Nucleus. Journal of Pineal Research, 76 (5) ARTN e12999, e12999. doi: 10.1111/jpi.12999

Adrenergic Agonists Activate Transcriptional Activity in Immortalized Neuronal Cells From the Mouse Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

2024

Journal Article

Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after injury

Klyne, David M., Hilliard, Brendan A., Harris, Michele Y., Amin, Mamta, Hall, Michelle, Besomi, Manuela, Mustafa, Sanam, Farrell, Scott F., Rawashdeh, Oliver, Han, Felicity Y., Hodges, Paul W., Frara, Nagat and Barbe, Mary F. (2024). Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after injury. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, 35 100714, 100714. doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100714

Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after injury

2024

Journal Article

Tuning of liver circadian transcriptome rhythms by thyroid hormone state in male mice

de Assis, Leonardo Vinicius Monteiro, Harder, Lisbeth, Lacerda, José Thalles, Parsons, Rex, Kaehler, Meike, Cascorbi, Ingolf, Nagel, Inga, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Mittag, Jens and Oster, Henrik (2024). Tuning of liver circadian transcriptome rhythms by thyroid hormone state in male mice. Scientific Reports, 14 (1) 640, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-50374-z

Tuning of liver circadian transcriptome rhythms by thyroid hormone state in male mice

2023

Journal Article

CSF-1R inhibitor PLX3397 attenuates peripheral and brain chronic GVHD and improves functional outcomes in mice

Shaikh, Samreen N., Willis, Emily F., Dierich, Max, Xu, Yi, Stuart, Samuel J. S., Gobe, Glenda C., Bashaw, Abate A., Rawashdeh, Oliver, Kim, Seung Jae and Vukovic, Jana (2023). CSF-1R inhibitor PLX3397 attenuates peripheral and brain chronic GVHD and improves functional outcomes in mice. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 20 (1) 300, 300. doi: 10.1186/s12974-023-02984-7

CSF-1R inhibitor PLX3397 attenuates peripheral and brain chronic GVHD and improves functional outcomes in mice

2023

Journal Article

Targeting sleep and the circadian system as a novel treatment strategy for Parkinson’s disease

Feigl, Beatrix, Lewis, Simon J. G. and Rawashdeh, Oliver (2023). Targeting sleep and the circadian system as a novel treatment strategy for Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Neurology, 271 (3), 1483-1491. doi: 10.1007/s00415-023-12073-7

Targeting sleep and the circadian system as a novel treatment strategy for Parkinson’s disease

2023

Journal Article

Sleep and circadian rhythms in α‐synucleinopathies—perspectives for disease modification

Kunz, Dieter, Oster, Henrik, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Neumann, Wolf‐Julian, Münte, Thomas and Berg, Daniela (2023). Sleep and circadian rhythms in α‐synucleinopathies—perspectives for disease modification. Acta Physiologica, 238 (1) e13966, 1-11. doi: 10.1111/apha.13966

Sleep and circadian rhythms in α‐synucleinopathies—perspectives for disease modification

2022

Journal Article

Cholinergic basal forebrain degeneration due to sleep-disordered breathing exacerbates pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Qian, Lei, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Kasas, Leda, Milne, Michael R., Garner, Nicholas, Sankorrakul, Kornraviya, Marks, Nicola, Dean, Matthew W., Kim, Pu Reum, Sharma, Aanchal, Bellingham, Mark C. and Coulson, Elizabeth J. (2022). Cholinergic basal forebrain degeneration due to sleep-disordered breathing exacerbates pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Nature Communications, 13 (1) 6543, 1-18. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-33624-y

Cholinergic basal forebrain degeneration due to sleep-disordered breathing exacerbates pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

2022

Journal Article

Circadian rhythmicity of vital signs at intensive care unit discharge and outcome of traumatic brain injury

Boots, Rob, Xue, George, Tromp, Dirk, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Bellapart, Judith, Townsend, Shane, Rudd, Michael, Winter, Craig, Mitchell, Gary, Garner, Nicholas, Clement, Pierre, Karamujic, Nermin and Zappala, Christopher (2022). Circadian rhythmicity of vital signs at intensive care unit discharge and outcome of traumatic brain injury. American Journal of Critical Care, 31 (6), 472-482. doi: 10.4037/ajcc2022821

Circadian rhythmicity of vital signs at intensive care unit discharge and outcome of traumatic brain injury

2022

Other Outputs

A role for caveolar proteins in regulation of the circadian clock

Fonseka, Sachini, Weger, Benjamin D., Weger, Meltem, Martel, Nick, Hall, Thomas Edward, Varasteh Moradi, Shayli, Gabriel, Christian H., Kramer, Achim, Ferguson, Charles, Fernández-Rojo, Manuel A., Alexandrov, Kirill, Rawashdeh, Oliver, McMahon, Kerrie-Ann, Gachon, Frederic and Parton, Robert G. (2022). A role for caveolar proteins in regulation of the circadian clock.

A role for caveolar proteins in regulation of the circadian clock

2022

Journal Article

Rewiring of liver diurnal transcriptome rhythms by triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation

de Assis, Leonardo Vinícius Monteiro, Harder, Lisbeth, Lacerda, José Thalles, Parsons, Rex, Kaehler, Meike, Cascorbi, Ingolf, Nagel, Inga, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Mittag, Jens and Oster, Henrik (2022). Rewiring of liver diurnal transcriptome rhythms by triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation. eLife, 11, 1-35. doi: 10.7554/ELIFE.79405

Rewiring of liver diurnal transcriptome rhythms by triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation

2022

Journal Article

Sleep and circadian rhythms in Parkinson’s disease and preclinical models

Hunt, Jeremy, Coulson, Elizabeth J., Rajnarayanan, Rajendram, Oster, Henrik, Videnovic, Aleksandar and Rawashdeh, Oliver (2022). Sleep and circadian rhythms in Parkinson’s disease and preclinical models. Molecular Neurodegeneration, 17 (1) 2, 2. doi: 10.1186/s13024-021-00504-w

Sleep and circadian rhythms in Parkinson’s disease and preclinical models

2022

Journal Article

Temperature profile and adverse outcomes after discharge from the intensive care unit

Boots, Rob, Mead, Gabrielle, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Bellapart, Judith, Townsend, Shane, Paratz, Jenny, Garner, Nicholas, Clement, Pierre and Oddy, David (2022). Temperature profile and adverse outcomes after discharge from the intensive care unit. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 31 (1), e1-e9. doi: 10.4037/ajcc2022223

Temperature profile and adverse outcomes after discharge from the intensive care unit

2021

Journal Article

Exacerbated age-related hippocampal alterations of microglia morphology, β-amyloid and lipofuscin deposition and presenilin overexpression in Per1−/−-mice

Börner, Jan Hendrik, Rawashdeh, Oliver and Rami, Abdelhaq (2021). Exacerbated age-related hippocampal alterations of microglia morphology, β-amyloid and lipofuscin deposition and presenilin overexpression in Per1−/−-mice. Antioxidants, 10 (9) 1330, 1330. doi: 10.3390/antiox10091330

Exacerbated age-related hippocampal alterations of microglia morphology, β-amyloid and lipofuscin deposition and presenilin overexpression in Per1−/−-mice

2021

Journal Article

Diet-altered body temperature rhythms are associated with altered rhythms of clock gene expression in peripheral tissues in vivo

Goh, Grace H., Mark, Peter J., Blache, Dominique, Binks, Daniel, Parsons, Rex, Rawashdeh, Oliver and Maloney, Shane K. (2021). Diet-altered body temperature rhythms are associated with altered rhythms of clock gene expression in peripheral tissues in vivo. Journal of Thermal Biology, 100 102983, 102983. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102983

Diet-altered body temperature rhythms are associated with altered rhythms of clock gene expression in peripheral tissues in vivo

2021

Journal Article

Temperature rhythms and ICU sleep: the TRIS study

Boots, Rob J., Mead, Gabrielle, Garner, Nicolas, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Bellapart, Judith, Townsend, Shane, Paratz, Jenny, Clement, Pierre, Oddy, David, Leong, Matthew and Zappala, Christopher (2021). Temperature rhythms and ICU sleep: the TRIS study. Minerva Anestesiologica, 87 (7), 794-802. doi: 10.23736/S0375-9393.21.15232-0

Temperature rhythms and ICU sleep: the TRIS study

2021

Journal Article

Pharmacological neuroenhancement: current aspects of categorization, epidemiology, pharmacology, drug development, ethics, and future perspectives

Daubner, Johanna, Arshaad, Muhammad Imran, Henseler, Christina, Hescheler, Jürgen, Ehninger, Dan, Broich, Karl, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Papazoglou, Anna and Weiergräber, Marco (2021). Pharmacological neuroenhancement: current aspects of categorization, epidemiology, pharmacology, drug development, ethics, and future perspectives. Neural Plasticity, 2021 8823383, 8823383-27. doi: 10.1155/2021/8823383

Pharmacological neuroenhancement: current aspects of categorization, epidemiology, pharmacology, drug development, ethics, and future perspectives

2020

Journal Article

Circadian hygiene in the ICU environment (CHIE) study

Boots, Rob, Mead, Gabrielle, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Bellapart, Judith, Townsend, Shane, Paratz, Jenny, Garner, Nicholas, Clement, Pierre and Oddy, David (2020). Circadian hygiene in the ICU environment (CHIE) study. Critical Care and Resuscitation, 22 (4) 4, 361-369.

Circadian hygiene in the ICU environment (CHIE) study

2020

Journal Article

Circadian Hygiene in the ICU Environment (CHIE) study

Boots, Rob, Mead, Gabrielle, Rawashdeh, Oliver, Bellapart, Judith, Townsend, Shane, Paratz, Jenny, Garner, Nicholas, Clement, Pierre, Oddy, David and On behalf of the Circadian Investigators in Critical Illness (2020). Circadian Hygiene in the ICU Environment (CHIE) study. Critical Care and Resuscitation, 22 (4), 361-369. doi: 10.51893/2020.4.oa9

Circadian Hygiene in the ICU Environment (CHIE) study

2020

Journal Article

CircaCompare: a method to estimate and statistically support differences in mesor, amplitude and phase, between circadian rhythms

Parsons, Rex, Parsons, Richard, Garner, Nicholas, Oster, Henrik and Rawashdeh, Oliver (2020). CircaCompare: a method to estimate and statistically support differences in mesor, amplitude and phase, between circadian rhythms. Bioinformatics, 36 (4), 1208-1212. doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btz730

CircaCompare: a method to estimate and statistically support differences in mesor, amplitude and phase, between circadian rhythms

2020

Journal Article

The concept of coupling in the mammalian circadian clock-network

Pilorz, Violetta, Astiz, Mariana, Heinen, Keno Ole, Rawashdeh, Oliver and Oster, Henrik (2020). The concept of coupling in the mammalian circadian clock-network. Journal of Molecular Biology, 432 (12), 3618-3638. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.12.037

The concept of coupling in the mammalian circadian clock-network

Current funding

  • 2020 - 2024
    The clock as a therapeutic target to improve sleep quality and circadian dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: fighting neurodegeneration by treating chronodegeneration.
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019
    Advanced Brightfield and Fluorescent High Speed and Throughput Slide Scanner for biological, medical, materials science, and agricultural applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Oliver Rawashdeh is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Deciphering the role of clock genes in the transduction of photic information to the master biological clock

    Project:

    The project aims to identify the components and mechanistics involved in resetting the body’s master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. A detailed understanding of how time-cues entrain the biological clock will be key to develop pharmacological approaches that are aimed to enhance our adaptability to temporal environmental changes i.e. adjusting the speed by which our clocks tick.

    Background:

    Jetlag and Social-lag are terms used to describe symptoms associated with the disruption of the body’s “internal clock”. This disruption, or desynchronosis, can occur (1) when flying across multiple time zones, (2) during shiftwork, (3) due to a misalgnment between the body’s internal clock and social time and (4) in diseases and during ageing. The symptoms include loss of appetite, insomnia, mild depression, altered mood, headaches, nausea and reduced physical and mental performance. Jetlag symptoms gradually wear off as the body adapts to the new time zone and social cycles. Thus, accelerating the adaptation process or reinstating circadian rhythms in disease and during ageing means reducing symptomatology and improving the quality of life.

    Scholarship:

    This project is fully funded and inlcudes a scholarship top-up.

  • Sleep and circadian dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.

    Project:

    We have a long-term interdisciplinary research program to study sleep and circadian rhythms in neurodegenerative disorders. The expertise of our collaborative groups spans from chronobiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, to engineering and maths. Together we are working on urgent translational research questions. We are seeking highly motivated, curiosity-driven students interested in joining the team to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the area of sleep and circadian rhythms in neurodegeneration and related therapeutic avenues. The Ph.D. candidates will take interest and leadership in formulating scientific questions, develop new techniques, and mechanistic/therapeutic solutions. Training to design experiments and learn new methods will be provided. The Ph.D. candidate will be supported by lab staff. Unique lab skills in emerging fields and initiatives within the broad framework are welcomed.

    Educational background:

    A BSc. Honours (Class1) or MSc. in science, biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, neurosciences, biochemistry, or related disciplines is required. Candidates with experience in small animal neuroscience research, biochemistry, animal behaviour, are strongly encouraged to apply.

    Scholarship:

    This project is fully funded and includes a scholarship and top-up funds.

  • Modelling the interaction between sleep and the biological clock in health and disease

    Project:

    We have a long-term interdisciplinary research program to study sleep and circadian rhythms in health and disease (e.g., neurodegenerative disorders). The expertise of our collaborative groups spans from chronobiology, neuroscience, and pharmacology. Together we are working on urgent translational research questions. For this project, we are seeking a highly motivated, curiosity-driven student interested in the Neuroscience of sleep and circadian rhythms, specifically on the mathematical modeling of the regulatory interaction between the biological clock and sleep in health and disease. The Ph.D. candidate will take interest and leadership in formulating scientific questions, develop new techniques, and mechanistic/therapeutic solutions. Training to design experiments and learn new methods will be provided. The Ph.D. candidate will be supported by lab staff. We welcome unique lab skills in emerging fields and initiatives within the broad framework.

    Educational background:

    A bachelor’s in Science, BioMed, Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer science are welcome.

    Scholarship:

    This project is fully funded, scholarships and top-up funds are also available.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Oliver Rawashdeh directly for media enquiries about:

  • Chronomedicine
  • Chronopharmacology
  • Circadian clocks
  • Circadian rhythms
  • Hippocampus
  • Jetlag
  • Learning & Memory
  • Melatonin
  • Neurogenerative Diseases
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Sleep

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