
MPsych (Clin), PhD in Clinical Psychology- UNSW Sydney
BPsych (Hons I)- University of Sydney
I am a Postdoctoral Fellow at Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA). I am the Study Coordinator for the SHARED (Social Health And Reserve in the Dementia patient journey) project. The SHARED project is an international collaboration designed to study how social, biological and psychological factors interact to predict the onset and course of dementia across the lifespan.
I obtained my PhD in Clinical Psychology and Master of Psychology (Clinical) from UNSW. My PhD research focused on the assessment and treatment of cognitive processes such as rumination and worry across disorders. I have worked extensively in clinical practice treating a wide range of conditions across the lifespan. Prior to joining CHeBA, I did research with the School of Psychology at UNSW, conducting population level modelling of factors that lead to anxiety and depression.
Meet Our Researcher
Click here to read Dr Suraj Samtani's ‘Meet Our Researcher’ interview
CHeBA Profile: https://cheba.unsw.edu.au/our-people/dr-suraj-samtani
Professional Memberships:
Australian Psychological Society
Australian Clinical Psychology Association
2021-2022: Samtani, S., Henry, J., Brodaty, H., Sachdev, P. A novel social cognition intervention for older adults with cognitive impairment: Co-design and pilot study. Dementia Australia Research Fund Seed Grant 2021 ($75,000): Funding Success in Dementia Australia Research Foundation Grants | Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) (unsw.edu.au)
My research focuses on understanding the intersection between psychosocial factors, changes in the brain and healthy ageing. This research program includes analyzing longitudinal datasets of ageing, examining neuroimaging data, and conducting qualitative interviews to understand the social, psychological and biological pathways involved in healthy ageing. My funded research focuses on co-designing a novel social skills training program for older adults living with cognitive impairments.
Publications
Presentations
Australia Dementia Research Forum: ADNeT workshop: Navigating a Career in Dementia Research - 31 May 2022
PROBUS: Social connections and happiness: How to maintain good mental health and relationships as we age - 10 May 2022
Older Persons Mental Health Service: Social connectedness for mental health - 27 Oct 2021
Youth Neuro Australia: Demystifying Brain Research: Through the lens of an international dementia research collaboration – 18 March 2020
My Teaching
My teaching interests combine psychology, healthy ageing, and neuropsychology. I provides guest lectures for the UTS Master of Pharmacology program and University of Sydney Brain and Mind Research Institute postgraduate program.
I was previously a Sessional Lecturer at NYU Sydney from 2015-2020 where I taught Cognition; Multicultural Counselling; and Child and Adolescent Brain Development: From Neuroscience to Applications.