I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Justice Health Research Program within the School of Population Health at UNSW. I completed my PhD in Psychology at UNSW, where I investigated the neural correlates of cognitive function, resilience, and wellbeing using advanced structural and functional MRI techniques in twin participants.
My research focuses on mental health and neuroscience, with an emphasis on marginalised populations, including...view more
I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Justice Health Research Program within the School of Population Health at UNSW. I completed my PhD in Psychology at UNSW, where I investigated the neural correlates of cognitive function, resilience, and wellbeing using advanced structural and functional MRI techniques in twin participants.
My research focuses on mental health and neuroscience, with an emphasis on marginalised populations, including justice-involved individuals. I aim to understand the social, psychological, and biological factors that shape cognitive functioning and wellbeing, employing methods such as neuroimaging, data analytics, and public health research. This includes examining physical and cognitive health and frailty among older incarcerated individuals to inform and develop evidence-based approaches for improving health screenings, health outcomes, and rehabilitation.
In addition to research, I am passionate about teaching and have delivered lectures and tutorials for courses such as PSYC3202 Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience, CRIM3022 Public Health and Corrections, and PSYC3011 Research and Applications of Psychology. I am also a member of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) and the UNSW Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC C).
My Grants
NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohorts Study ($2,907,874.25, Associate Investigator): A-PLUS - The Ageing in Prison Longitudinal Study: health and frailty trajectories of older people in prison (2024-2029).
NHMRC Ideas Grants 2021 ($844,050, Associate Investigator): ASCAPE - Audio App-delivered Screening for Cognition and Age-related Health in Older Prisoners (2021-2023 - extended)
AOD Hub Grant in response to the Ice Inquiry, NSW Government (Ministry of Health), Sydney, Australia ($4,000,000) (2024). Obtained as a Project and Grant Advisor/Writer at St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
Aged Care Capital Assistance Program Thin Markets, Australian Government (Department of Health and Aged Care), Sydney, Australia ($10,000,000) (2024). Obtained as a Project and Grant Advisor/Writer at St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
My Qualifications
Ph.D. in psychology at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia.
M.Sc. in neuroscience at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland.
B.Sc. in biological and environmental sciences at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), Canada.
My Awards
2022 HDR Completion scholarship from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia ($15,000).
2019 Travel Grant from Twins Research Australia (TRA), Melbourne, Australia ($500).
2019 Top-up Scholarship from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, Australia ($20,000).
2018 Tuition Fee (plus stipend) Scholarship from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia.
My Research Activities
I'm currently contributing to multiple research projects aimed at improving health and cognitive outcomes for justice-involved individuals and older adults. These include:
The Aging in Prison Longitudinal Study (A-PLUS), where I'm involved in the study design, research ethics processes, data collection across NSW prisons, and data analysis. This study aims to provide critical evidence on the health needs and impacts of incarceration on older prisoners, addressing knowledge gaps to inform policy and practice.
The ASCAPE project which aims to create a culturally and technically suitable digital tool (an app that can be delivered on a tablet) to enhance the screening and collection of health-related information from people in prison and improve detection of their age-related health needs.
The ReINVEST study, outcomes of a randomised, placebo-controlled trial investigating the potential of sertraline to reduce recidivism among impulsive, violent men.
My doctoral research focused on the TWIN-E and TWIN-10 studies, where I explored the neural mechanisms underlying the associations between cognitive function, resilience, and wellbeing using functional MRI techniques, as well as the influence of genetics vs environmental factors on these associations.
My Engagement
I am a member of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) and the UNSW Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC C).
My Teaching
I'm passionate about teaching subjects related to neuroscience, psychology, and public health, with a particular focus on neuroimaging, cognitive functions, and mental health. I have taught elements of PSYC3202 Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience, CRIM3022 Public Health and Corrections, PSYC3011 Research and Applications of Psychology at UNSW, as well as PSYU3337 Psychopathology, and PSYU2236 Biopsychology and Learning at Macquarie University.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4906-1237