I am an Associate Professor and Program Head, Youth Suicide Prevention, at the Black Dog Institute. Supported by consecutive NHMRC fellowship funding since 2018, I lead a globally distinctive program that aims to unlock new directions in how to effectively and efficiently prevent and treat suicide risk and self-harm in children and adolescents, creating practice shifts across community, education, and health settings – and contributing to meaningful outcomes for young people. With 20 years of research experience, my program spans novel digital health approaches, systems-approach prevention models – particularly focusing on school communities, and mechanistic studies to identify effective intervention targets. I have published >150 papers (FWCI: 2.55) and attracted $29+ million of funding.

My supervisory experience includes seven PhD students (4 completed) and >20 ILP / Hons students.

I am deeply invested in the research training and mentorship of emerging researchers, within and beyond, UNSW. I founded an early-career researcher development initiative at Black Dog Institute, was a founding member of the SHAPE Futures network – an initiative of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian Academy of the Humanities, and am the Deputy Chair and board director for the Anika Foundation in Youth Suicide and Depression Prevention where I spearhead their research development strategy.  

My current research interests are:

• self-guided direct-acting technology-based interventions for suicidal thoughts and behaviours (online, smartphone apps, AI supported tools)
• whole-of-school school-based prevention approaches for children and adolescents
• parenting interventions for attachment and autonomy
• suicide-prevention modified treatment approaches for young people in suicidal crisis
• Cascading models of care