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 research program. I also the Direct BrainPark, as well as the Brain and Mental Health (BMH) Research Hub. 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 self-administered.

In 2015, 2017 and 2018, I was named in the Thompson Reuters “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

• BMH - Brain & Mental Health Laboratory

• MICCN 

• Monash Biomedical Imaging

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