Dr Nikki-Anne Wilson

Nikki-Anne Wilson is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology and Conjoint Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA). She joined UNSW after completing a PhD in Psychology at the Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney for which she was sole-recipient of the Graduate Medal for Research Excellence.

Her primary research aim is to find new ways to support cognitive health and reduce dementia risk. Dr Wilson's work has a particular emphasis on investigating the processes underlying how we interact with other people. Maintaining social connection is an important aspect of healthy ageing but there is much we don't know about how social connection is good for us. Dr Wilson's research program draws on a diverse array of skills, including neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, and population health. She is also a member of the UNSW Ageing Futures Institute and the international research network on Population-Level Approaches to Dementia Risk Reduction (PLADRR).

Other key aspects of Dr Wilson’s work include contributions to health policy (e.g. National Dementia Education & Training Standards Framework; Childhood Dementia Initiative) and community engagement (e.g., CSIRO STEM Professionals in Schools, Probus, Rotary). Nikki-Anne regularly appears in the media (e.g.,The Conversation, ABC Radio, Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian) and has published in leading ageing and neuroscience journals (e.g., Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Ageing & Mental Health, Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, Brain Sciences, Journal of the Neurological Sciences, and Cognition). Her recent paper in The Gerontologist was selected as Editor’s Choice in acknowledgment of its substantial contribution to the field of dementia prevention.