I gained a PhD combined with specialist clinical training in Clinical Neuropsychology in 2001 at La Trobe University. I then worked across as a number of mental health research centers at the University of Melbourne and was promoted to Professor in 2012.

Currently, I work at Monash University - within the School of Psychological Sciences, where I Head the Addiction and Mental Health research program. I also Direct BrainPark - a world-first neuroscience research clinic designed to bring the latest neuroscience with diagnostic or therapeutic benefit to the community in an accessible and inspiring way, using neuroscience, lifestyle medicine and technology. I am an NHMRC Principal Research Fellow and hold the David Winston Turner Chair in Addiction and Mental Health Research.

Over two decades, I have work worked at the interface between clinical neuropsychology, psychiatry, neuroscience and technology. My group adopt a 'trans-diagnostic' approach to investigate whether the initiation and maintenance of substance and behavioural addictions, as well as, obsessive-compulsive disorder are underpinned by overlapping cognitive and motivational tendencies, and brain substrates (e.g., those related to impulsivity and compulsivity). My group are also combining lifestyle, psychological and technology-based interventions (such as physical exercise, mindfulness mediation, yoga, virtual reality, cognitive training, and gentle brain stimulation) to enhance therapeutic outcomes and create accessible treatments that can be engaging, effective and self-administered.

In 2015, 2017-2019, I was named in the world's “Most Highly Cited” authors reflecting that my groups work is in the top 1% of the world’s most influential scientific work over a 10-year period. This illustrates my groups exceptional and enduring impact on a world stage.

Related Links:

• BrainPark

• Turner Institute

• Monash Biomedical Imaging

neuroscience | decision-making | habit | motivation | reward | impulsivity | compulsivity | addiction | exercise | virtual-reality | brain health