Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PhD Scholarships

Ms Kristin Graham has over 20 years’ experience as a clinical podiatrist including providing treatment to RAAF personnel at the Edinburgh Base as well as Veterans in the community. She recently returned to study and completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) at Flinders University, Adelaide.

Kristin is also a mentoring coordinator for new graduate podiatrists. In this role she has translated research into practice in developing a program to support graduate podiatrists in their transition to the work force. Her experience in both psychological research and as an allied health practitioner, together span the complementary fields of psychology and physical health. Consequently she is uniquely placed to conduct research regarding associations between the physical and mental health of veterans.

Rebecca Sheriff is a Full Editor for the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group a global independent collaborative network producing high quality systematic reviews (since 2013). She is a member of the Advisory board for the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry (since 2013). Rebecca is also a board certified Consultant Psychiatrist both in the UK (since 2009) and in Australia (since 2015). Rebecca recently completed research on risky driving in the military which has been published in the BMJ Open she has presented at multiple national and international conferences and is regularly invited to peer review work for academic journals and funding organisations. Rebecca has authored/coauthored over 15 peer reviewed papers and chapters.

Bryan became interested in mental health through his studies in psychology. Bryan has conducted courses and workshops in mental health and illness for the past 7 years. More recently Bryan founded, and is the director of a small business on the Sunshine Coast providing psychoeducation to the community in an effort to raise people’s mental health literacy leading to better intra and inter-personal responses to mental health challenges.

In 2018, Bryan implemented multi-week stand up paddle board programs for people with mental health conditions – increasing physical activity, social engagement, skills and self-efficacy, and engagement with nature.

In 2018 I completed my Bachelor of Science (Hons) at The University of Melbourne, were I developed key skills that allowed me to explore the role of neuroinflammation in the Central Nervous System. From here, I commenced the position of a Research Assistant at The University of Melbourne, in the Neuropharmacology Laboratory.

During my time as a Research Assistant, I have participated in a number of different projects, exploring the role of neuroinflammation in many neuropathologies including Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Traumatic Brain Injury.

In 2016, I completed an undergraduate degree in Science, majoring in Biology and Behavioural Science. During my Behavioural Science major, I had the opportunity to undertake neuropsychology, which sparked my interest in the neurobiological underpinnings of mental health disorders.

Following this, I began my research career as a research assistant at the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience -Thompson Institute, where I have had the privilege to be been involved in a wide range of projects including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in refugee populations, youth mental health, and clinical trial programs. At the end of 2018, I completed my honours project, which explored amygdala and hippocampal structural alterations as a result of trauma and associated with PTSD.

Katrina is a Clinical and Counselling Psychologist, member of the Australian Psychological Society and a Fellow of both the APS College of Clinical Psychologists and the APS College of Counselling Psychologists.

Katrina has a special interest in single, cumulative and complex PTSD across the lifespan and the impact of trauma on family, workplaces and wider systems.

Katrina has worked therapeutically and systemically with adults, families, children, adolescents and workplaces for around 20 years and has established two private practice clinics. She has acted as a clinical and project consultant for private, non-government and government organisations.

Katrina is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society for her Master of Psychology work including her thesis; Proposed criteria for Developmental Trauma Disorder, DSM-V: Manifestations and implications for a rural Australian Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

Tara Lal is a firefighter and peer supporter with Fire and Rescue NSW. She has an honours degree in Physiology as well as a Bachelor of Applied science in Physiotherapy. Tara has managed the psychological well-being program at Fire and Rescue and has collaborated on research projects aimed at building resilience in firefighters and promoting conversations around mental health between managers and employees.

Tara is a Mental Health First Aid instructor and has written a book about her own experiences following the loss of her brother to suicide.