Student research

Sadaf Askaryar

Master's student

Eudaimonic Wellbeing and Depression in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Psychological interventions that promote wellbeing alongside reducing depressive symptoms are vital for improved long-term outcomes. My research aims to examine the effectiveness of psychological interventions in improving eudaimonic wellbeing in adolescents diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. This research will involve a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature.

Matthew Lewis

Honour's student

Examining the differences between perceived and biological-markers of stress in carers of young people with experience of psychosis

My focus is to determine if hair cortisol and momentary experiences of stress can measure stress as well as self-report measurements do in carers of first-episode psychosis patients. I will also examine if demographic variables such as age, marital status and years of education completed can predict stress levels in carers of first-episode psychosis patients.

Eduardo Duarte Machado

PhD student

Building Inclusive Dance Communities: A Co-designed Approach to Enhancing Participation for Children with Cerebral Palsy

My focus is on the barriers that Children with cerebral palsy (CP) face to participating in community-based leisure activities, like dance. To address this need, my research aims to co-design an evidence-based, inclusive dance approach guide that enhances the participation and inclusion of children with CP in community-based dance classes.

Using a participatory design methodology, the research is structured in two parts: Part 1 - State of Evidence, involving a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of dance interventions for individuals with CP, and Part 2 – Practice Innovation, involving the co-design of a dance approach guide. My thesis explores the importance of inclusive, community-based activities and calls for further research on the long-term impact and sustainability of such approaches.

Emily Subara-Zukic

PhD student

The development of dual-tasking: An Ecological assessment of children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder

This program of research examines the development of dual-task ability in children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). I am investigating the mechanisms of performance that may explain the age-related changes in dual-task ability using a hybrid ecological approach. I will also be examining the underlying mechanisms of compromised predictive motor and cognitive control in DCD and their implications for dual-tasking. These findings will progress our mechanistic understanding of dual-tasking across a variety of real-world movement contexts and have critical safety and learning implications for developing children.

Alycia Pike

Master's (Developmental Psychology) student

The psychometric properties of dual-task cost metrics: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of my project is to evaluate the reliability and validity of measures of dual-task performance, particularly dual task cost (DTC). My research will use a combined systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing dual-task literature, across populations. This research has important implications for the clinical assessment of dual-task abilities, and the use of these metrics to predict functional performance in everyday life.

Ebony Corless

Honour's student

Establishing the validity and reliability of a locomotor-cognitive dual-task protocol using a non-motorised treadmill

The focus of my project is to determine the validity and reliability of a new paradigm designed to assess changes in gait metrics during cognitive-motor dual-tasking using a non-motorised treadmill. The purpose is to establish a dual-task protocol that eliminates the weaknesses of current protocols and can be used in future cognitive and motor control investigations in a variety of healthy and clinical populations.

Simone Mizzi

Combined Master's (Clinical Psychology) and PhD student

(Epi)genetics of oxytocin and neuroimaging in social anxiety disorder

The project I am working on aims to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms implicated in social anxiety disorder through the integration of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and (epi)genetic research methodologies (with a focus on the oxytocinergic system). Findings from this research will contribute to the literature aiming to identify biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment approaches, and outcomes for people with social anxiety disorder.

Hannah Thomson

PhD student

Investigating resting-state functional connectivity alterations and their mitigation in cannabis use disorder

My research explores cannabis use disorder and the practice of mindfulness, using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Specifically, my research examines differences in brain integrity between cannabis users and non-users, as well as the impact of a psychological intervention on potential differences and associated behavioural changes. I am also practising psychology with the Neuropsychology Department at Eastern Health.

Hannah Sehl

Combined Master's (Clinical Psychology) and PhD student

Mapping and retraining altered brain function in moderate-to-severe cannabis use disorder: A randomised double-blind active-controlled fMRI study

My research aims to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms implicated in cannabis use disorder. My research examines differences in brain activity during reward processing pre and post psychological intervention using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Findings from this research will contribute to the literature aiming to identify and inform targets for the treatment of cannabis use disorder.

Janelle Chilton

Master's (Developmental Psychology) student

Creating the new Cannabis Research Image Database (CRESIDA)

I am part of the Cannabis Research ESI mages DA (CRESIDA) Validation Study. This is a collaboration with researchers at the University of Bath (Dr Tom Freeman) and University of Amsterdam (Dr Janna Cousijn). The study seeks to develop a validated battery of cannabis pictures against cannabis use levels and craving. The battery will ultimately be available via open access for research purposes.

Claire Ee Cheng Chua

Honour's student

Do sex differences exist in the neurobiology of cannabis use disorder? A sMRI study of the orbitofrontal cortex

Sex differences exist in cannabis use behavior but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. My project will focus on exploring sex differences in the neuroanatomy of moderate to severe cannabis use disorder (CUD) vs controls, by comparing orbitofrontal cortex (thickness and volume). My project will contribute to address limitations of the literature to date which over-represents males and animal studies. The project will use data from the a larger ongoing project. I will contribute to collect data, delivering a short intervention and to participants' recruitment. My project will advance the understanding of the mechanisms underlying sex differences in CUD.

Stephanie Antonopoulos

Honour's student

Examining volumetric alterations of the striatum in Cannabis Users compared to controls using sMRI

My project is nested within a larger ongoing project, and will focus on examining whether there are anatomical differences in the striatum in people with a CUD users compared to controls. The striatum plays a key role in reinforcement and habit formation, and like other parts of the brain, has been known to change in its structure when affected by drug abuse. My research has important implications for developing a comprehensive understanding in the way CUD affects the brain. I will contribute to collect data, delivering a short intervention and to participants' recruitment.