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Dr Rachael Cvejic

Dr Rachael Cvejic

Senior Lecturer
  • Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Southern Cross University
  • Master of Brain and Mind Sciences, The University of Sydney
  • PhD (Psychiatry), UNSW Sydney
Medicine & Health
National Centre of Excellence

I am a registered psychologist and Senior Research Fellow with broad research interests including neuropsychology and neuropsychiatry. My clinical and research experience includes working with people with intellectual and developmental disability, mental health conditions, and progressive neurological conditions including people living with dementia. I am currently involved in a number of educational and research activities in the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health which aim to improve health outcomes for people with complex support needs. My current projects utilise a broad range of research methods including surveys, interviews, Delphi method, and data linkage.
Phone
(02) 9065 1625
E-mail
r.cvejic@unsw.edu.au
Location
Room 241, Biolink Building (E25), UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052
  • Book Chapters | 2019
    Cvejic RC; Trollor JN; Hocking DR, 2019, 'Fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome', in Degenerative Disorders of the Brain, pp. 143 - 162, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781351208918
    Book Chapters | 2019
    Cvejic RC; Trollor JN; Hocking DR, 2019, 'Fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome', in Degenerative Disorders of the Brain, Routledge, pp. 143 - 162, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781351208918-6
  • Journal articles | 2025
    Arnold SRC; Huang Y; Srasuebkul P; Cvejic RC; Michalski SC; Trollor JN, 2025, 'Prevalence of psychiatric conditions in people with intellectual disability: A record linkage study in New South Wales, Australia', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 59, pp. 433 - 447, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00048674251324824
    Journal articles | 2025
    Loi SM; Tjokrowijoto P; D’Cunha NM; Cartwright J; Moylan N; Cations M; Stange D; Withall A; Atkins K; Bradley L; Burton E; Draper B; Fitzgerald A; Goodlet C; Irish M; Joseph T; Kelso W; Lewis R; Poisson V; Pozzebon M; Scott T; Schweitzer D; Torresi K; Scovell A; Goh A; Cvejic R; Glennen K; Beard C, 2025, 'Lived experience perspectives about gaps and barriers in services for those living with, and those providing care, for people with young-onset dementia in Australia: Findings from the Joint Solutions Project', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 59, pp. 729 - 739, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00048674251346681
    Journal articles | 2025
    Michalski SC; Huang Y; Srasuebkul P; Cvejic RC; Arnold SRC; Trollor JN, 2025, 'Predictors of mental illness onset in adolescents and adults with intellectual disability: A retrospective cohort study in New South Wales, Australia', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 59, pp. 1095 - 1105, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00048674251374483
    Journal articles | 2025
    Tjokrowijoto P; Beard C; Stange D; D'Cunha NM; Cartwright J; Moylan N; Withall A; Draper B; Scott T; Irish M; Lewis R; Atkins K; Goodlet C; Burton E; Cvejic R; Glennen K; Schweitzer D; Cations M; Loi SM, 2025, 'The road to young-onset dementia diagnosis: Findings from the Joint Solutions Project', Alzheimer S and Dementia, 21, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/alz.70538
    Journal articles | 2024
    Walker AR; Srasuebkul P; Trollor JN; Wand APF; Draper B; Cvejic RC; Moxey A; Reppermund S, 2024, 'Mortality in people living with dementia who self-harmed: An Australian data linkage study', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 58, pp. 990 - 1000, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00048674241278243
    Journal articles | 2024
    Weise J; Cvejic R; Trollor J, 2024, 'Strategies for Accessible Breast Screening for People With Intellectual Disability', Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 15, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/21501319241251938
    Journal articles | 2023
    Chitty KM; Cvejic RC; Heintze T; Srasuebkul P; Morley K; Dawson A; Carter G; Dinh M; Buckley NA; Trollor JN, 2023, 'The Association Between Problematic Use of Alcohol and Drugs and Repeat Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation: Insights From a Population-Based Administrative Health Data Set', Crisis, 44, pp. 309 - 317, http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000880
    Journal articles | 2023
    Liao P; Trollor J; Reppermund S; Cvejic RC; Srasuebkul P; Vajdic CM, 2023, 'Factors associated with acute care service use after epilepsy hospitalisation in people with intellectual disability', Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 67, pp. 1317 - 1335, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jir.12987
    Journal articles | 2023
    Reppermund S; Walker A; Cvejic R; Srasuebkul P; Wand A; Draper B; Trollor JN, 2023, 'Self‐harm in people with dementia – assessing risk factors, health profiles and healthcare pathways using big data', Alzheimer's & Dementia, 19, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/alz.070876
    Journal articles | 2023
    Srasuebkul P; Walker AR; Cvejic RC; Trollor JN; Lappin JM; Curtis J; Samaras K; Dean K; Ward PB; Reppermund S, 2023, 'Hospital service utilisation of people previously hospitalised with different subtypes of psychotic disorder: A record linkage study', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 57, pp. 844 - 853, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00048674221115642
    Journal articles | 2023
    Walker AR; Srasuebkul P; Trollor JN; Wand APF; Draper B; Cvejic RC; Moxey A; Reppermund S, 2023, 'Risk factors for dementia and self-harm: A linkage study', Alzheimer S and Dementia, 19, pp. 5138 - 5150, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/alz.13080
    Journal articles | 2022
    Cvejic RC; Watkins TR; Walker AR; Reppermund S; Srasuebkul P; Draper B; Withall A; Winkler D; Honan I; Mackechnie D; Trollor J, 2022, 'Factors associated with discharge from hospital to residential aged care for younger people with neuropsychiatric disorders: An exploratory case-control study in New South Wales, Australia', BMJ Open, 12, pp. e065982, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065982
    Journal articles | 2022
    Eagleson C; Weise J; Cvejic RC; Trollor JN, 2022, 'Evaluation of an intellectual disability mental health core competency framework', Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 17, pp. 391 - 407, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-05-2021-0051
    Journal articles | 2022
    Liao P; Vajdic CM; Reppermund S; Cvejic RC; Srasuebkul P; Trollor JN, 2022, 'Mortality rate, risk factors, and causes of death in people with epilepsy and intellectual disability', Seizure, 101, pp. 75 - 82, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2022.07.012
    Journal articles | 2022
    Liao P; Vajdic CM; Reppermund S; Cvejic RC; Watkins TR; Srasuebkul P; Trollor J, 2022, 'Readmission and emergency department presentation after hospitalisation for epilepsy in people with intellectual disability: A data linkage study', Plos One, 17, pp. e0272439, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272439
    Journal articles | 2021
    Cvejic RC; Srasuebkul P; Walker AR; Reppermund S; Lappin JM; Curtis J; Samaras K; Dean K; Ward P; Trollor JN, 2021, 'The health service contact patterns of people with psychotic and non-psychotic forms of severe mental illness in New South Wales, Australia: A record-linkage study', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56, pp. 675 - 685, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00048674211031483
    Journal articles | 2021
    Srasuebkul P; Cvejic R; Heintze T; Reppermund S; Trollor JN, 2021, 'Public mental health service use by people with intellectual disability in New South Wales and its costs', Medical Journal of Australia, 215, pp. 325 - 331, http://dx.doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51166
    Journal articles | 2021
    Walsh JA; Weise J; Eagleson C; Trollor JN; Cvejic RC, 2021, 'Expert consensus on the operation of an adult tertiary intellectual disability mental health service in New South Wales, Australia', Australasian Psychiatry, 29, pp. 635 - 643, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10398562211014228
    Journal articles | 2020
    Trollor JN; Eagleson C; Ruffell B; Tracy J; Torr JJ; Durvasula S; Iacono T; Cvejic RC; Lennox N, 2020, 'Has teaching about intellectual disability healthcare in Australian medical schools improved? A 20-year comparison of curricula audits', BMC Medical Education, 20, pp. 321, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02235-w
    Journal articles | 2020
    Weise J; Cvejic R; Eagleson C; Trollor JN, 2020, 'A Scoping Study of a Tertiary Intellectual Disability Mental Health Service: A Family Member and Support Person Perspective', Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 13, pp. 141 - 156, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2020.1753268
    Journal articles | 2019
    Cvejic RC; Hocking DR; Wen W; Georgiou-Karistianis N; Cornish KM; Godler DE; Rogers C; Trollor JN, 2019, 'Reduced caudate volume and cognitive slowing in men at risk of fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome', Brain Imaging and Behavior, 13, pp. 1128 - 1134, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11682-018-9928-7
    Journal articles | 2019
    Davies K; Eagleson C; Weise J; Cvejic RC; Trollor JN, 2019, 'Clinical capacity of Australian and New Zealand psychiatrists who work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities', Australasian Psychiatry, 27, pp. 506 - 512, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1039856219859286
    Journal articles | 2019
    Eagleson C; Cvejic RC; Weise J; Davies K; Trollor JN, 2019, 'Subspecialty training pathways in intellectual and developmental disability psychiatry in Australia and New Zealand: current status and future opportunities', Australasian Psychiatry, 27, pp. 513 - 518, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1039856219839468
    Journal articles | 2019
    Reppermund S; Weise J; Cvejic R; Trollor J, 2019, 'How Can We Provide Better Healthcare for People With An Intellectual Disability?', Frontiers for Young Minds, 7, pp. 124, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frym.2019.00124
    Journal articles | 2018
    Birch RC; Foley KR; Pollack A; Britt H; Lennox N; Trollor JN, 2018, 'Problems managed and medications prescribed during encounters with people with autism spectrum disorder in Australian general practice', Autism, 22, pp. 995 - 1004, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1362361317714588
    Journal articles | 2018
    Cvejic RC; Arnold SRC; Foley K-R; Trollor JN, 2018, 'Neuropsychiatric profile and psychotropic medication use in adults with autism spectrum disorder: results from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Adults with Autism', BJPsych Open, 4, pp. 461–466 - 461–466, http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2018.64
    Journal articles | 2018
    Cvejic RC; Eagleson C; Weise J; Davies K; Hopwood M; Jenkins K; Trollor JN, 2018, 'Building workforce capacity in Australia and New Zealand: a profile of psychiatrists with an interest in intellectual and developmental disability mental health', Australasian Psychiatry, 26, pp. 595 - 599, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1039856218781018
    Journal articles | 2018
    Cvejic RC; Trollor JN, 2018, 'Transition to adult mental health services for young people with an intellectual disability', Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 54, pp. 1127 - 1130, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpc.14197
    Journal articles | 2018
    Trollor JN; Eagleson C; Turner B; Tracy J; Torr JJ; Durvasula S; Iacono T; Cvejic RC; Lennox N, 2018, 'Intellectual disability content within tertiary medical curriculum: How is it taught and by whom?', BMC Medical Education, 18, pp. 182, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1286-z
    Journal articles | 2017
    Birch RC; Cohen J; Trollor JN, 2017, 'Fragile X-associated disorders: Don't miss them', Australian Family Physician, 46, pp. 487 - 491
    Journal articles | 2017
    Birch RC; Hocking DR; Cornish KM; Menant JC; Lord SR; Georgiou-Karistianis N; Godler DE; Wen W; Rogers C; Trollor JN, 2017, 'Selective subcortical contributions to gait impairments in males with the FMR1 premutation', Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 88, pp. 188 - 190, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2016-313937
    Journal articles | 2017
    Birch RC; Trollor JN, 2017, 'Action tremor, impaired balance, and executive dysfunction in midlife', JAMA Neurology, 74, pp. 603 - 604, http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.4063
    Journal articles | 2017
    Hocking DR; Birch RC; Bui QM; Menant JC; Lord SR; Georgiou-Karistianis N; Godler DE; Wen W; Hackett A; Rogers C; Trollor JN, 2017, 'Cerebellar volume mediates the relationship between FMR1 mRNA levels and voluntary step initiation in males with the premutation', Neurobiology of Aging, 50, pp. 5 - 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.10.017
    Journal articles | 2017
    Reppermund S; Birch RC; Crawford JD; Wesson J; Draper B; Kochan NA; Trollor JN; Luttenberger K; Brodaty H; Sachdev PS, 2017, 'Performance-Based Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: Validation of the Sydney Test of Activities of Daily Living in Memory Disorders (STAM)', J Am Med Dir Assoc, 18, pp. 117 - 122, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2016.08.007
    Journal articles | 2016
    Birch RC; Hocking DR; Trollor JN, 2016, 'Prevalence and predictors of subjective memory complaints in adult male carriers of the FMR1 premutation', Clinical Neuropsychologist, 30, pp. 834 - 848, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2016.1145905
    Journal articles | 2016
    Cvejic E; Birch RC; Vollmer-Conna U, 2016, 'Cognitive Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a Review of Recent Evidence', Current Rheumatology Reports, 18, pp. 24, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11926-016-0577-9
    Journal articles | 2015
    Birch RC; Hocking DR; Cornish KM; Menant JC; Georgiou-Karistianis N; Godler DE; Wen W; Hackett A; Rogers C; Trollor JN, 2015, 'Preliminary evidence of an effect of cerebellar volume on postural sway in FMR1 premutation males', Genes Brain and Behavior, 14, pp. 251 - 259, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gbb.12204
    Journal articles | 2014
    Birch RC; Cornish KM; Hocking DR; Trollor JN, 2014, 'Understanding the Neuropsychiatric Phenotype of Fragile X-Associated Tremor Ataxia Syndrome: a Systematic Review', Neuropsychology Review, 24, pp. 491 - 513, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11065-014-9262-9
    Journal articles | 2014
    Hall DA; Birch RC; Anheim M; Jønch AE; Pintado E; O'Keefe J; Trollor JN; Stebbins GT; Hagerman RJ; Fahn S; Berry-Kravis E; Leehey MA, 2014, 'Emerging topics in FXTAS', Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 6, pp. 31, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1866-1955-6-31
    Journal articles | 1987
    TRONER M; BIRCH R; OMURA GA; WILLIAMS S, 1987, 'PHASE-III COMPARISON OF CISPLATIN ALONE VERSUS CISPLATIN, DOXORUBICIN AND CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF BLADDER (UROTHELIAL) CANCER - A SOUTHEASTERN CANCER STUDY-GROUP TRIAL', JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, 137, pp. 660 - 662, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(17)44167-X
  • Conference Abstracts | 2018
    Cvejic RC; Srasuebkul P; Trollor JN, 2018, 'DOES ADMINISTRATIVE HEALTH DATA HAVE A PLACE IN BEHAVIOURAL PHENOTYPE RESEARCH?', in JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, WILEY, Vol. 62, pp. 666 - 667, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000438508800012&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Abstracts | 2017
    Eagleson C; Weise J; Birch R; Trollor J, 2017, 'EQUIPPING PSYCHIATRISTS TO MEET THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY', in AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY, SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, Vol. 51, pp. 47 - 47, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000403466600113&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Abstracts | 2017
    Trollor J; Livingstone A; Salomon C; Weise J; Eagleson C; Walsh J; Birch R, 2017, 'INITIATIVES TO BUILD WORKFORCE CAPACITY IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY MENTAL HEALTH', in AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY, SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, Vol. 51, pp. 46 - 46, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000403466600110&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Other | 2016
    Cvejic RC; Trollor J, 2016, Thinking and motor skills in individuals who carry premutation expansions of the fragile X gene

2023  - UNSW School of Clinical Medicine Early-Mid Career Research Conference Travel Grant

2019  - Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration Conference Travel Grant 

2018  - Travel Grant Award, Society for the Study of Behavioural Phenotypes

2017  - Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research Travel Bursary

2014  - UNSW McConaghy Prize for Postgraduate Research

2013  - NSW Institute of Psychiatry Research Training Fellowship 

2012  - NSW Institute of Psychiatry Research Training Fellowship 

2012  - Dementia Collaborative Research Centres PhD Scholarship 

2011  - Les Fountain Travel Bursary, Society for the Study of Behavioural Phenotypes 

Selection of current research projects

  1. Understanding responsive behaviours among people with intellectual disability living with dementia
  2. Understanding the perinatal mental health of people with intellectual disability
  3. Using virtual reality to prepare for healthcare interactions

Past projects

  1. Improving palliative care services for people with an intellectual disability. 
  2. Health profiles, health services use and transition to dementia in individuals with self-harm. 
  3. Understanding the health and support needs of younger people with disabilities discharged from hospital to residential aged care. 
  4. Using big data to understand the health status, service use, and service pathways of people with less common types of dementia. 
  5. Addressing preventable disease burden to improve health outcomes for people with schizophrenia and related psychoses. 
  6. Equipping future psychiatrists to meet the mental health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disability. 
  7. Scoping work for a State-wide tertiary intellectual disability mental health service. 
  8. Thinking and motor skills in premutation carriers of Fragile X. 
  9. Using big data to understand the health status and service use of people with motor neurone disease. 
  10. Using big data to understand the predictors of repeated self-harm in people with mental health and drug and alcohol comorbidity. 

Membership

  • Associate Investigator (2024 to current) - UNSW Ageing Futures Institute
  • Co-Chair (2023-2024) and Faculty Representative (2021-2024) - UNSW Women in Research Network (WiRN) Executive Committee
  • Member (2021-2024) - UNSW Medicine & Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
  • Discipline Representative (2023-2024) - UNSW School of Clinical Medicine Early and Mid Career Professional, Clinical and Academic Researcher Network Committee
  • Medicine & Health Subcommittee Member (2021-2023), UNSW Early Career Academic Network
  • Co-Chair (2022-2023), UNSW Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health Early and Mid Career Researcher Network 
  • Student Coordinator (2017 to current) - National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (formerly Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry), UNSW Sydney
  • Member (2015 to current) - The Fragile X Association of Australia Research and Scientific Committee
  • Member (2017 to current) - International Fragile X-associated Tremor Ataxia Syndrome Consortium

 

In the media

My Teaching

I currently teach into Phase 2 Medicine (Society and Health) and Phase 3 Medicine (Psychiatry).