- cancer survivorship

- injury management

- rehabilitation

- return to work

- health benefits of work (HBOW)

- vocational rehabilitation

- mixed methods research

- health, quality of life and work outcomes

Current (2016-2020) supervision interests include projects at Honours or PhD level that seek to further understand and identify factors that may be associated with prolonged recovery and return to work following musculoskeletal injury or disease (e.g. cancer, arthritis, etc). The unpredictable duration and nature of recovery from physical (e.g. musculoskeletal) injury or disease challenges vocational rehabilitation sector goals around facilitating functional recovery and return to work for these individuals. If we are to develop more individualised, targeted rehabilitation programs and interventions that have a greater chance of facilitating recovery, we first need to identify the factors associated with prolonged recovery and work absence, and then work with those that are amenable to change.

I am currently working as a senior research fellow at MUARC on a variety of projects that facilitate social and work-related rehabilitation from injury or post-disease diagnosis. A key part of this is broadly assessing the psychosocial barriers to returning to wellness and work for individuals, and providing tailored support and services to help them achieve their work and life goals.

One project, funded by the NBCF, is being conducted in collaboration with Associate Professor Georgia Halkett and A/Prof Moira O'Connor of Curtin University, and A/Prof Prue Cormie of Australian Catholic University. Key industry partner is Dorothy Frost from IPAR Rehabilitation. The project brings together a unique mix of experience and expertise to develop, implement and evaluate a new program to support people directly affected by breast cancer who are looking to sustain or return to work following treatment.

Another project, conducted in collaboration with Professor Ian Cameron of the Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, and A/Prof Venerina Johnston of University of Queensland, aims to develop and evaluate a prototype App that can be used by the Motor Accident Authority (MAA) in NSW to facilitate recovery and to minimise the risk of prolonged disability for those who have sustained non-catastrophic motor vehicle accident injuries. The App engages, educates and enables the injured client by identifying personal strengths that may aid recovery, and raises awareness of current barriers that may hamper recovery. It also encourage goal setting, communication and problem solving to overcome barriers.

Background: After completing my PhD in 1999 at Monash, I went on to complete a 2 year post-doctoral position with Professor Kimron Shapiro at the University of Wales in the area of selective attention and cognition. After moving back to Melbourne, Australia in 2002 I was employed by the School of Psychology at Monash as a lecturer. I was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2009. My position involved teaching and postgraduate student supervision within the general domains neuropsychology and neuroscience. Major responsibilities included deputy coordination of the undergraduate Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience (BBNSc) degree, coordination and teaching of units within the degree and within mainstream Psychology, 4th year Psychology coordination responsibilities. Major research achievements included CIA role on a successful ARC Grant worth $150,000 over 3 years (2004-2006): Ageing and the allocation of selective attention over time: behavioural, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical correlates. I also successfully supervised (as main, joint or associate supervisor) over 8 PhD students and 8 Professional Doctorate (Neuropsychology) students during my employment, and 1-3 Honours students each year.