General Health PhD Scholarships

My name is Harry Dempsey and I grew up in Melbourne. In primary school, I loved making video games. In secondary school, I played the clarinet and piano and competed in lawn bowls and fencing competitions. During this time, I also fell in love with science which motivated me to study science, so I enrolled in a double degree of Biomedical Science and Physics at Monash University. I knew I wanted to become a researcher, but I was not sure which scientific field to pursue. Over time, I became fascinated by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. I noticed that problems, previously thought to be unsolvable, were cracked in the span of just a few years using AI. I love coding in the same way I enjoyed making video games when I was in primary school, so I decided to pursue a PhD where I will use machine learning to crack problems in mental health research.

After completing a Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology at Monash University in 2017, I decided to take a break from studying and gain some work experience. This led me to working in a sports rehabilitation centre before becoming a Teaching Associate for undergraduate psychology at Monash University in 2019. It was here that I developed my passion for education and decided to pursue a career in research and education. This encouraged me to complete a research internship at the Danny Frawley Centre in 2022, which provided me with essential skills in research and data analysis. In 2023 I continued my studies by becoming a PhD candidate, exploring the mental health of retired athletes.

I am a pharmacist who is eager to improve the safe use of medication through high-quality research that creates evidence, and translating said evidence to drive practice change. As a clinical pharmacist in one of Melbourne’s largest tertiary hospitals, I have first-hand, practical experience in helping patients improve their medication use. Making a positive impact on someone’s health is the most rewarding part of my career. I am excited to translate this passion to helping prevent medication related harm by reducing sedative medications in people living with dementia.

I obtained my undergraduate degree at Flinders University in South Australia, where I continued to work in sleep and dementia research following my graduation. During my time as a research assistant, I developed a passion for exploring neurodegenerative diseases, developing tools for early detection, and methods of early intervention. In 2023, I moved to Melbourne to commence a PhD at Monash University. Here at Monash, I am able to combine my interests in sleep research and neurodegenerative disease to explore how poor quality sleep is associated with increased risk of neurodegenerative disease.

Charlie Ffrench is a life-saving enthusiast who completed her undergraduate degree in Laboratory Medicine (Honours) at the University of South Australia in 2021 and during that time she received several academic honours, including University Merit awards and the Martin Hansen award (for the student with the highest aggregate mark in the final two years of the degree).

Charlie started her PhD in 2022 at the Centre for Cancer Biology (University of South Australia and SA Pathology). Working with a supervisory team of scientists and clinicians, her research broadly focuses on advancing our knowledge of pancreatic cancer.

Jordan completed her Master of Biomedical Science in 2017 from the University of Melbourne (UoM), where her project looked at utilising adult stem cells to prevent and treat heart failure in patients following myocardial infarction. Following this, she worked as a Junior Research Assistant at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, establishing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines and optic cup organoids from patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

With a background in Information Technology in the corporate world, Phillipa changed careers around 2015, delving into the world of natural therapies. Building upon a passion for helping others, Phillipa completed a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Monash University in 2021 and went on to undertake an honours degree in Psychological Sciences at Swinburne University in 2022. During her honours degree, Phillipa discovered a passion for research that was nurtured by her supervisors.

Phillipa is now undertaking a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Swinburne University with a particular interest in complex trauma, men’s mental health, and the mental health experiences of Australians living in regional and/or rural areas.

I have always been passionate about making a difference in the lives of people living with chronic disease, and I feel the best way of doing so is through research. Over the past 5 years, I have pursued a career in scientific research, developing my knowledge and skills as a scientist and researcher.

Growing up in regional Victoria, the opportunities to explore science is limited. The first science program I was involved in was the Rotary’s National Youth Science Forum. In my last year of high school, I was accepted to take part in the National Youth Science Forum, participating in the Brisbane session at the University of Queensland.

I am a trained teacher and mum of 2 young boys and taught in the independent school system for a number of years.

I joined the University of Melbourne as a research assistant in 2018 to work on a NHMRC funded randomized controlled trial and evaluation of teen Mental Health First Aid in ten schools around Victoria. I also volunteer in community development in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in Geelong. I have a research interest in mental health literacy, student well-being, community education and effective use of mental health promotion and intervention in schools.

I am someone who likes to enjoy life, and one of the best enjoyment for me is being in the lab running experiments. I am particularly interested in the bacteria in the gut due to my research in university. The gut bacteria, also known as the gut microbiota, makes up such a big part of us humans, yet we still know very little about it.

We do know there are complex interactions between the gut microbiota and ourselves. For me, I would like to be at the forefront of the research and help translate health benefits for humans.