Last December, the RIDT, in collaboration with the Malta Neuroscience Network within the University, issued a call for proposals for small brain research projects following a fund-raising campaign held in 2016. Upon closing time we had received 9 proposals from academics coming from 6 different faculties.
An ad hoc evaluation advisory board was set up, consisting of Prof. Richard Muscat, Prof. Helen Grech, Dr. Norbert Vella and RIDT CEO Wilfred Kenely. The board also sought the opinion of leading neuroscientist Prof. Giacomo Rizzolatti from the University of Parma, as an external advisor. The board looked at the projects and evaluated them on the basis of these criteria:
- Scientific Excellence
- Quality of proposal
- Interdisciplinarity
- Impact
The evaluation advisory board recommends the following projects for funding:
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| PROJECT TITLE
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LEAD INVESTIGATOR
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FACULTY
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| The Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder | Dr. Stephanie Bezzina Wettinger | Health Sciences |
| Cerebellar speading depression in triggering episodes of ataxia | Prof. Mauro Pessia | Medicine |
| The role of the Endocannabinoids in Absence Epilepsy | Prof. Giuseppe DiGiovanni | Medicine |
| Machine learning and signal processing techniques in epileptic seizures | Dr Lalit Garg | ICT |
| Intercranial stereo-EEG analysis during grasping movement and intent | Prof. Kenneth Camilleri | Engineering |
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The fund-raising campaign consisted of a number of events and initiatives such as:
- INCONTRI art exhibition
- 2016 Easter Sunday Concert
- Payment gateway scheme
- Bohemia Saxophone Quartet Concert
- Individual donations