Dr Oscar Murphy is a Post-Doctoral Clinical Research Fellow and Research Coordinator in the Interventional Psychiatry Group at the Epworth Centre for Innovation in Mental Health (ECIMH). ECIMH is a joint Monash University and Epworth HealthCare clinical academic research centre. Oscar is a registered psychologist with expertise in neuropsychological assessment and diagnoses within various neurological and psychiatric populations. Oscar has more than five years of experience using a range of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Oscar completed his Bachelor of Arts and Science at Monash University, majoring in Psychology and Marine Biology, followed by an Honours Degree in Psychology. He subsequently completed his Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology) at Monash University in 2019 under the supervision of Professor Kate Hoy, Dr Rebecca Segrave, and Dr Dana Wong. His doctoral thesis investigated the cognitive and electrophysiological effects of tDCS and tRNS in healthy individuals and those suffering from depression. His thesis also examined the neurobiological changes which underlie altered working memory processing in depression. Oscar has presented this research at domestic and international conferences.

Oscar’s research interests include investigation of the pathophysiology of psychiatric illness, as well as the development and innovation of innovative brain stimulation techniques. Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques can be utilised as investigative tools to explore the neurophysiological activity underlying psychiatric and neurological illness, as well as  therapeutic tools to potential correct the altered neurophysiological activity associated with the pathophysiology of these conditions. By combining non-invasive brain stimulation techniques with neuroscientific measurement tools, such as electroencephalogram (EEG) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), it is hoped that this area of research will lead to greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying psychiatric and neurological illness, as well as the development of innovative treatments.

Oscar currently coordinates a randomised-controlled trial investigating theta-burst stimulation for the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as well as projects investigating the application of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to treat various neuropsychiatric conditions. The overarching goal of this research is to reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life for individuals suffering from psychiatric and neurological illness.