With constant advances in medical knowledge and technology, it often feels like new cures and breakthrough treatments are getting announced all the time.
Yet despite this rapid progress, brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease are still some of the most persistent problems that humanity faces.
In Australia alone, more than 150,000 people are living with Parkinson’s, and 50 more are diagnosed every day. It’s the fastest-growing brain disorder in the world, with an incidence rate rising by 4% each year.
Data from Parkinson’s Australia
When we think of diseases like this, there are common visuals that come to mind. The frustrating tremors that get in the way of day-to-day tasks. The slow movements and stiff muscles that turn simple routines into exhausting efforts. The understandable irritability that comes with painful, sleepless nights.
The symptoms take a clear personal and emotional toll on patients and their families.
What’s less visible is the financial cost – both for individuals and our healthcare system. Parkinson’s alone costs Australia’s economy over $10 billion annually.
That’s why, alongside the push for more effective treatments, we also need to focus on cost-effective solutions. This is the key to ensuring that all patients can access the relief and support they need – and this is exactly where Chiemeka Chinaka’s PhD research comes in.
UQ’s culture of purposeful interdisciplinary collaboration perfectly suited the nature of my project.
Combining neurology and neuroscience with health economics
Chiemeka’s research bridges the fields of neurology and health economics, focusing on how Parkinson’s disease (PD) is managed and how can optimise care within the Australian healthcare system.
“My thesis looks at how PD is treated and what that means for people living with the condition, their caregivers, and the wider community – both in terms of health outcomes and costs,” he says.
“To do this, I combine real-world data with computer simulations, using a combination of observational data analysis and economic modelling.”
His work is divided into 2 key components:
- Forecasting future healthcare needs: Chiemeka measures how often people with PD use health services like medicines, doctor appointments and therapies. He uses these trends to predict what they’ll need in the future, enabling policymakers to plan better.
- Evaluating deep brain stimulation: Chiemeka’s research focuses on deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgery that can reduce the motor symptoms of PD. While effective, DBS is also quite expensive, so he is measuring the long-term benefits (such as needing less medication, better mobility, and a higher quality of life) to determine if the extra cost is worth it.
By combining both components, Chiemeka aims to translate his data into insights that can improve patient care, inform fair and efficient health policies, and optimise the use of limited resources. Ultimately, he hopes his research will be a catalyst for change within healthcare systems – helping governments, health providers and communities to make smarter, evidence-based decisions that stretch funding further to improve more lives.
Chiemeka’s collaborative PhD experience
Chiemeka’s research primarily takes place in the Queensland Brain Institute and is guided by a team of supervisors:
- Professor Pankaj Sah, Director of the Queensland Brain Institute and Chiemeka’s primary supervisor
- Professor Brenda Gannon, a leading researcher in health and social care systems
- Professor Peter Silburn, an internationally renowned neurologist and clinical researcher.
“UQ gave me access to a truly multidisciplinary supervisory team – world-leading experts in neuroscience, health economics and neurology,” he says.
“This led to comprehensive, cutting-edge guidance, a broad professional network, and the ideal environment to produce meaningful research that combines the strengths of these disciplines.”
This also meant that Chiemeka’s training was precisely tailored to his project’s technical requirements and enriched with key transferable skills.
“They organised hands-on workshops at UQ and coordinated remote courses from leading experts,” he says.
“This gave me dedicated time and support to learn – and immediately apply – each new technique.”
“Informal gatherings, such as lab retreats and social events, also played a vital role in recharging our team’s creativity and strengthening our collaborative spirit.”
What led Chiemeka to his PhD?
Chiemeka loves the thrill of tackling complex problems and the idea of creating tangible benefits for society – the perfect recipe for a career in research.
“Research lets me dive deep into unanswered questions, develop innovative solutions, and see the real impact of my work, whether it’s informing policy, improving patient care, or advancing our understanding of critical issues,” he says.
“That combination of intellectual challenge and the potential to make meaningful change is what drove me into research.”
As a neuro-technician in a neuromodulation clinic, Chiemeka got to work with patients undergoing brain stimulation, witnessing firsthand the life-changing impact of these therapies.
“Those patient interactions ignited my curiosity about not only clinical outcomes but also the broader economic impact of advanced health technologies,” he says.
“I became passionate about measuring value, asking how innovations like neuromodulation can improve quality of life, reduce long-term costs, and guide smarter healthcare decisions.”
This passion led Chiemeka to pursue research opportunities assessing the value of brain disorder treatments and, eventually, to embarking on his own PhD journey.
Chiemeka’s advice for future PhD candidates
For students considering their own research degree, Chiemeka has 3 key pieces of advice:
- Have hobbies outside of research that can take your mind off the busy schedule – this is vital for your mental health.
- Look for supervisors whose interests and mentoring styles align well with you. Read their recent papers, attend their talks if possible, and have informal chats before you commit. (Check out UQ's guide to approaching a PhD supervisor.)
- Figure out why you want to do a PhD – whether it’s for the love of discovery, passion for teaching, career advancement, or addressing a specific problem. Having a clear purpose will sustain you through this rollercoaster of a program.
Ready to embark on your own research journey?
