
2006: University of Auckland, Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine)
I am the Program Head, Mental Health at The George Institute for Global Health. I lead a program of research focusing on developing simple, cost effective strategies (which can be integrated with other secondary prevention strategies) to prevent depression and significantly improve the outcome for people with chronic disease. I have a particular interest in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health. This is in concordance with my current National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Career Development Fellowship (Level 2) on Improving the identification, management and outcome of people with depression and other chronic diseases.
I work one day per week as a Professor of Epidemiology in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing at The University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom.
2020-present CI NIHR Global Health Research Group: IMPROVIS-ATION: Improving Stroke Care in India – Advancing the INSTRuCT Operations & Network
2019 UNSW Seed Funding Scheme: Mental Health and Wellbeing - early intervention and prevention (older people)
2017-present CI National Institute of Health Research (UK), Global Health Research - stroke research group. The aim is to bring together researchers and clinicians in the UK, Australia and India to improve the management of stroke in India.
2016-present CI Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. 'POSITIF' Multi-centre feasibility study. The aim is to test the feasibility of a brief psychological intervention to reduce fatigue after stroke.
2015-present CI NHMRC project grant. International multi-centre, randomised controlled trial. The aim is to determine the effectiveness of ketamine in people with treatment-resistant depression.
2014-present CI Swedish Research Council Framework grant. 'EFFECTS' Multi-centre, randomised controlled trial. The aim is to determine the effectiveness of fluoxetine to improve physical function for people after acute stroke.
2014-present CI National Institute for Health Research HTA Program grant. 'FOCUS'. Multi-centre, randomised controlled trial. The aim is to determine the effectiveness of fluoxetine to improve physical function for people after acute stroke.
2011-present co-principal investigator NHMRC project grant 'AFFINITY'. International multi-centre, randomised controlled trial. The aim is to determine the effectiveness of fluoxetine to improve physical function for people after acute stroke.
2014-present CIA NHMRC project grant 'Getting it right'. The aim is to determine the validity of a culturally-specific measure to identify depression in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people with or without chronic disease - the aPHQ-9.
2013-2016 CIA NHMRC project grant 'HeadPoST'. Large scale, multi-centre, international cluster cross-over trial. The aim is to determine the effectiveness of head positioning after acute stroke.
2013-2016 CI NHMRC project grant 'ATTEND'. Multi-centre, randomised controlled trial. The aim was to determine the effectiveness of family-led rehabilitation after stroke in India.
2018: National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship, Population Health (Level 2), APP1141328. Improving the identification, management and outcome of people with depression and other chronic diseases
2016: The George Institute for Global Health: ‘Humanitarian commitment’ peer award for ‘someone who is exceptionally committed to helping vulnerable populations worldwide’
2016: Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association – SUPRA. Supervisor of the year award, Faculty of Medicine
2014: National Heart Foundation, Future Leader Fellowship, Level 2 #100034. Improving the identification and management of depression in people with cardiovascular disease
2010: National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship, Population Health (Level 1), APP632925. The prevention and management of depression in people with vascular disease.
2006: National Health and Medical Research Council, Public Health (Australia) Fellowship APP402849. Strategies to reduce the impact of vascular depression.
2006: The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Dean’s List in recognition of excellence achieved in a Doctor of Philosophy thesis “Abnormal mood following stroke: frequency, characteristics and predictors”