Tim Karl graduated from the Leipniz University of Hanover (Germany) in 2003 with a PhD in Zoology (Behavioural Neuroscience). From 2004-2008, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research working on rodent models for anxiety and schizophrenia, before establishing his own research team at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) in 2008. At NeuRA, his research focused on the neuro-behavioural consequences of gene-environment interactions in animal models for schizophrenia and the discovery of new therapeutic targets for dementia. In 2016, Tim Karl moved to Western Sydney University, where he continues his preclinical research into schizophrenia and neurodegenerative diseases. His team also evaluates both detrimental and beneficial effects of cannabis constituents on brain disorders. Finally, Prof Karl’s research aims to enhance the validity of rodent models and the well-being of test animals in medical research by improving laboratory housing and handling conditions and establishing more natural test paradigms.

Prof Karl’s team is currently funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, NSW Health, FightMND, and the Ainsworth Medical Research Innovation Fund. The team also receives funding from industry partners.

Prof Karl is the Deputy Chair of the Animal Care and Ethics Committee at Western Sydney University and the NSW Department of Primary Industries Animal Research Review Panel.