Dr. Maryam Zoghi
Associate Professor, Neurological Physiotherapy
Campus
Biography
Maryam Zoghi is Associate Professor of Physiotherapy in the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at Federation University Australia. She is a neurological physiotherapist and neuroscientist with extensive expertise in neurorehabilitation, neurological physiotherapy and non-invasive brain stimulation.
Her research focuses on understanding and modulating corticospinal and cortical network function using techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial pulsed current stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation. She aims to translate fundamental neuroscience into clinical rehabilitation practice and improve functional outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injury. A key emphasis of her work is optimising stimulation parameters, exploring brain plasticity and identifying mechanisms that underpin neuroplasticity to support evidence-based neurological rehabilitation and therapy.
Maryam teaches within the undergraduate physiotherapy program and has supervised numerous PhD and honours students. She is actively involved in curriculum development, research training and academic mentoring, helping to foster the next generation of physiotherapists and researchers. Maryam also serves as an associate editor and editorial board member for several journals, including Brain Sciences and Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences.
Maryam has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals and has attracted competitive national research funding from bodies such as NHMRC and MS Australia. She collaborates closely with industry and clinical partners and is dedicated to advancing physiotherapy, neuroscience and neurological rehabilitation through leadership, innovative research and education.
Fields of research
- Allied health and rehabilitation science
- Clinical sciences
More about Maryam
Qualifications
- Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, La Trobe University
- Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience, The University of Adelaide
- Master of Science in Physiotherapy, Iran University of Medical Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences
Areas of interest
- Corticospinal and cortico-cortical excitability
- Non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroplasticity
- Neurological physiotherapy and neurorehabilitation
- Motor control and motor learning
- Rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injury
- Translation of neuroscience into clinical practice
Areas of expertise
Maryam has extensive expertise in the application of transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial pulsed current stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation to investigate and modulate neural function. Her work focuses on understanding mechanisms of neuroplasticity and optimising stimulation protocols to enhance rehabilitation outcomes. She has strong methodological expertise in experimental neuroscience, clinical trials and neurophysiological assessment within neurological populations.
Grants
- Zoghi, M. (2023). Effects of 400 Hz anodal or cathodal transcranial pulsed current stimulation on corticospinal and corticocortical excitability in healthy adults. Industry Project Grant, AscenZion Neuromodulation Co. Pte Ltd. ($169,000)
- Zoghi, M. (2022). Effects of transcranial pulsed current stimulation on neural oscillations and motor function in Parkinson’s disease. SPAHC Seeding Grant. ($15,000)
- Zoghi, M. (2021). Long‑lasting effects of repeated anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain in people with multiple sclerosis. MS Australia Project Grant. ($25,000)
- Zoghi, M. (2020). Reducing seizure frequency in drug‑resistant temporal lobe epilepsy using non‑invasive brain stimulation. Epilepsy Foundation Research Grant. ($50,000)
Awards
- 2023: Women & Leadership Australia Executive Ready Program Scholarship ($7,500)
Current
- PhD student, Federation University Australia, 'Optimising clinical and economic value in Australian private hip and knee arthroplasty: the impact of a multi‑modal preoperative education program', primary supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Effectiveness of structured pain management interventions versus standard care in chronic pain: a systematic review of program outcomes or Barriers and facilitators to implementing structured pain management programs in clinical practice: a systematic review', primary supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Analysis of differences in subjective fear ratings induced by provocative anterior cruciate ligament injury videos with repeated exposure over time', co‑supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'The effectiveness of a six‑week outpatient exercise program following elective total knee replacement: a retrospective cohort study', primary supervisor.
- Honours, Federation University Australia, 'Gender differences in postural control: an observational study using the Fukuda stepping test', primary supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Impact of soccer ball heading on cortical plasticity: a comparative study between junior and adult male players', co‑supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia. Exploring the knowledge and awareness of concussion identification and management among coaches in regional areas', co‑supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Knowledge and understanding of concussion assessment and rehabilitation among sport participants and coaches', co‑supervisor.
- Honours, Federation University Australia, 'Exploring the impact of regular exercise on patient‑reported symptoms during immunotherapy for cancer', co‑supervisor.
Past
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Efficacy of strengthening or balance exercises in a falls and balance program', primary supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Biological Motion Perception for Accelerating Sport Performance and Injury Prevention: A Scoping Review', primary supervisor.
- Honours, Federation University Australia, 'Physical and functional outcomes after completing six weeks of outpatient exercise following knee replacement', primary supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Improving decision‑making through virtual reality or stroboscopic vision for sport, law enforcement, and defence', co‑supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Improving coach identification of cricket bowling actions through point‑light displays for injury prevention in juniors', co‑supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Effect of soccer ball heading on two consecutive days on brain function', co‑supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Effect of ball weight in a soccer heading drill on brain function in experienced soccer players', co‑supervisor.
- Honours student, Federation University Australia, 'Physical and functional outcomes after completing six weeks of outpatient exercise following hip replacement', primary supervisor.
- Neurological physiotherapy
- Neurorehabilitation
- Motor control and motor learning
- Clinical reasoning and neurological assessment
- Evidence-based physiotherapy practice
- Non-invasive brain stimulation in rehabilitation
- Academic and research supervision in physiotherapy
Specialist roles
- Elected member, Research Committee, Federation University Australia (term: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027)
- Chair of the Professoriate, Federation University Australia (2025)
- Deputy Chair of the Professoriate, Federation University Australia (2024)
- Associate Editor, Brain Sciences
- Associate Editor, Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
- Editorial Board Member, Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience
Professional association memberships
- Australasian Brain Stimulation Society
Health Innovation and Transformation Centre
- Publications
Non-invasive neurostimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness, safety, and optimal stimulation parameters
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1007/s00415-025-13522-1
Cognition and postural balance in young adults: Investigating the limits of cognitive involvement in motor automaticity
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.12.019
Effects of laser acupuncture on pain and motor function in musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103323
Laser acupuncture improves cortical excitability and behavioural performance in healthy individuals: a randomized controlled trial
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1186/s12906-026-05259-9
Mapping the role of sensation in arm function after stroke-from somatosensation to sensorimotor function, arm use, and participation: a scoping review
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1080/09638288.2026.2653951