Q1: Why did you choose to become a Clinical Neuropsychologist?

“I was working as a legal secretary whilst completing my undergraduate degree in psychology and law and saw several reports (IMEs) from neuropsychologists come across my desk. I thought what they did, and were able to do, was incredible, especially being able to detect brain pathology despite normal imaging, and, before neuroimaging was even invented, to be able to say where a lesion was in a brain based on their neuropsychological profile. The human brain truly is amazing.“

Q2: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
“Being asked to present at the Australia and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN) Annual General Meeting.“

Q3: What do you like to do in your free time?
“Watch movies, read books, eat and drink amazing things, hang by the beach and/or on the water, go for road trips/picnics, walk my dogs.” 

Q4: If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
“I should say Oliver Sacks or someone like that but I’m going with Taylor Swift. Why? Because it’s Taylor Swift!” 

Bonus points – are you cooking or heading to a restaurant?

“Definitely headed to a restaurant!!”

Bonus Questions

Tell us something surprising about you
“I taught myself to wolf whistle at Hobart’s Carols by Candlelight when I was 8 (because, you really have to get around those carols!) and I’m yet to meet anyone who can whistle louder!!“

Do you prefer cats or dogs?
“Dogs – siberian huskies are my favourite and I have two.”

Which season speaks to you, summer or winter?
“Both! I love daylight savings and being by the beach and on/in the water in summer, but I also love getting cosy indoors with a wine, a fire and a good book/movie in winter!”

Does pineapple ever grace your pizzas?
“Fruit does not belong on pizza!!”

Q1: Why did you choose to become a Psychiatrist?

“Psychiatry has been a source of intellectual stimulation from day one of my training. Psychiatry 
provided the opportunity to follow my passion for the humanities and neurosciences, and utilise this knowledge to heal people, not only through medical interventions but also by raising their awareness of deeper emotional and interpersonal conflicts. It also humbles me when I see my patients show incredible resilience in dealing with their mental illness. The appetite to know more grows incessantly when one is challenged every day by a vast array of pathologies of mind and brain. 

Over the years, the discipline’s breadth and accountability have shaped my commitment to clinical excellence, evidence-based judgment, and professional integrity, which now underpin my work in medico-legal consulting and expert witness practice.“

Q2: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
“Setting up a service for mothers suffering from antenatal and postnatal mental illness has been the most satisfying part of my career as a psychiatrist. The team I established dealt with maternal mental health at every possible level, ranging from prevention/early detection to women in severe post-partum psychosis. Training midwives, health visitors, GPs and obstetricians helped us establish a community-level detection and intervention strategy. “

Q3: What do you like to do in your free time?
“I like to read, play with my son, gossip with friends, and take mindful walks.” 

Q4: If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
“I will have to go back a couple of thousand years to meet Buddha and ask him how enlightenment felt to him. I would like to see and feel the eternal joy and peace that he carried.” 

Bonus points – are you cooking or heading to a restaurant?

“Cooking anytime!! It is no fun when someone has already done the creative bits with the food.”

Bonus Questions

Tell us something surprising about you
“Most people know me as a calm, quiet and reserved person. Once in a while, an unrestrained singer or dancer comes out, which can be fun for friends but embarrassing for my children.“

Do you prefer cats or dogs?
“I like both as long as I am not the one looking after them.”

Which season speaks to you, summer or winter?
“Nature can be beautiful anytime. I appreciate it as it unfolds.”

Does pineapple ever grace your pizzas?
“Anything vegetarian can go on a Pizza. Why constrain creativity with food!!”

Q1: Why did you choose to become a Neuropsychologist?

“I did not initially plan to pursue a career in neuropsychology. My early training was in prosthetics and orthotics, driven by a desire to work in healthcare with a strong emphasis on direct patient care. At the time, I was not fully aware of the field of neuropsychology. 

However, during my undergraduate training, I was introduced to the discipline and was immediately drawn to its unique integration of scientific principles and focus on brain function and behaviour, along with interesting cases of individuals who could not learn new information. 

The opportunity to apply scientific knowledge in a clinical context to help individuals understand and manage cognitive, behavioural, and emotional changes deeply resonated with me. I have also found applying neuropsychology within a medicolegal context to be both valuable and engaging.“

Q2: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
“Managing the Neuropsychology Unit at a large teaching hospital in Victoria during the COVID-19 pandemic stands out as one career highlight. I led a team of senior and junior neuropsychologists through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Given that neuropsychology traditionally relies on face-to-face contact and in-person cognitive assessments, we had to be agile and adapt quickly to telehealth models to ensure continuity of care. In addition to supporting patients with a range of cognitive and behavioural conditions, other career highlights include teaching and mentoring early-career and senior neuropsychologists and being appointed Lead Neuropsychologist within the Cognitive Neurology Service at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. “

Q3: What do you like to do in your free time?
“Bikes. Anything and everything bikes, especially mountain bikes. I have been riding mountain bikes for over 35 years. I am thinking about bikes right now.”

Q4: If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
“Arnold Schwarzenegger. 
Our evening would begin at the gym, earning our dinner over a heavy weights session. Later, over a protein-rich meal of almost uncooked steak (minimal carbs), he would share stories from his bodybuilding career, Hollywood days, and political life.”

Bonus points – are you cooking or heading to a restaurant?

Cooking. Protein heavy, mainly rare steak, cooked over an open fire. Vegetables, salad and carbs strictly optional. 

Bonus Questions

Tell us something surprising about you
“I once crashed a paraglider. I survived, but my dignity was dinted. Turns out soaring through the skies is not for everyone.  I now keep my feet, and hobbies, firmly on the ground.“

Do you prefer cats or dogs?
“If you asked me a year ago, I would have confidently said I was Team Dog. But then Freddie, a tuxedo cat full of charm, personality, and a surprising number of cuddles, entered my life. 

Since then, he has been gradually (and occasionally forcefully) nudging me toward the feline side. These days, I spend a fair amount of time keeping up with his ever-growing list of demands, mostly centred on food and cuddles. My dog, understandably, is not thrilled with this shift. At this point, I call it a draw.”

Which season speaks to you, summer or winter?
“Summer in Tasmania. Winter in Darwin.”

Does pineapple ever grace your pizzas?
“YES! Not chicken though.”

Q1: Why did you choose to become a Psychiatrist?

“I was lucky enough to do a psychiatry locum after my internship, and I immediately knew it was the right field of Medicine for me. I loved being able to work with my patients on a deeper level for healing and recovery. I have always been interested in holistic medicine, and especially how the emotional well-being of a person can have such a significant impact on physical health, overall function and quality of life. I also enjoyed the variety psychiatry involves.”

Q2: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
“That’s a tricky one, as I have truly enjoyed all my roles in psychiatry, and the variety of jobs I have done. I have to say that I enjoyed being able to locum all around Australia, providing psychiatric care to patients in areas of need. I could do all this whilst exploring many amazing places – truly a wonderful experience.”

Q3: What do you like to do in your free time?
“Spending quality time with family and friends is very important to me. Whenever I have some time to myself, I love a bit of pampering and learning new skills. I am currently learning how to sew.”

Q4: If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
“Hmm… that’s a very hard one! Although whoever it is would have to do the cooking, as I am a terrible cook!”

Bonus Questions

Tell us something surprising about you
“I am a qualified makeup artist – something I did after I had already completed my training in Psychiatry!”

Do you prefer cats or dogs?
“Dogs!”

Which season speaks to you, summer or winter?
“Summer for sure!”

Does pineapple ever grace your pizzas?
“That is a ‘must’ ingredient for me. I like my pizza with the ‘lot’.”

Q1: Why did you choose to become a Neuropsychologist?
“My passion for neuropsychology first stemmed from my desire to work with people, as I am a social and outgoing person who loves to chat! In my undergraduate degree, I worked with a neuropsychologist and from then on I knew that this was the career path for me.

I was drawn to the field as neuropsychology as it involves evidence-based tests and measures that help support your clinical judgement and opinion. Furthermore, I am fascinated by the intricate relationship between the brain and behaviour, and how it manifests differently in varying conditions. But above all, neuropsychology provides an opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients from different backgrounds, injuries and levels of impairment. Building my knowledge and knowing that my assessments, recommendations and compassionate and detailed approach can positively influence the lives of individuals and their families is a deeply motivating factor for me.”

Q2: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
“One particularly rewarding experience was 1:1 cognitive rehabilitation work with clients who had suffered severe traumatic brain injuries. Over an extended period I had the privelege of building strong relationships with these clients and their families and it was fulfilling to witness their progress first hand. I developed individualised and innovative strategies, often incorporating technology to enhance their daily living skills despite the severity of their injuries. Seeing such tangible improvements was truly remarkable.”

Q3: What do you like to do in your free time?
“I have two young daughters and so most of my free time is spent chasing after them! We spend a lot of time in the pool, at kids birthday parties or playgrounds. Otherwise, this year I have been trying to practice what I preach about healthy ageing, and I have spent more time exercising. I also love a good wine and socialising with friends!”

Q4: If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
“I would love to learn from Brenda Milner. She is one of the pioneers of neuropsychology and studied the famous patient H.M. Over her long career, she has significantly contributed to understanding the human brain and how brain structures govern learning, memory and speech.”

Bonus points – Are you cooking or heading to a restaurant?
“This one is easy – unless she fancies baked beans on toast for dinner, then definitely a restaurant. Everyone has strengths or weaknesses, and cooking is not on my strength list!”

Bonus Questions

Tell us something surprising about you
“At just 25 years old and despite having no prior medical history or family history, I suffered a stroke with right-sided weakness. During the two weeks I spent in hospital, a multitude of specialists provided both exceptional care but also highlighted some areas where clinicians choice of wording or decisions could improve.

Whilst I am incredibly fortunate that I had no lasting effects from the stroke and it remains a blip in my history, the experience profoundly impacted my clinical style and my understanding of “patient-centred care”. As a result, I ensure that my appointments always commence on time, I communicate the process of an assessment, my findings are backed by evidence and I make it a priority to ensure that my reports are completed promptly and that findings are communicated as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary delays.”

Do you prefer cats or dogs?
“Very much a dog lover!”

Which season speaks to you, summer or winter?
“I would choose summer. However, having just moved back to Brisbane from a stint in Sydney, the Queensland heat is something else. Most of our time this last Summer was spent in the air conditioning or in the pool.”

Does pineapple ever grace your pizzas?
“An unfavourable opinion and my Italian friend strongly disagrees with my choices but yes, I love a good Hawaiian pizza!”

Q1: Why Occupational and Environmental Medicine?
“I didn’t originally set out to become an OEP—I thought I’d be a surgeon! But after providing emergency medical services on remote oil rigs, I saw the enormous potential this specialty has to prevent harm and influence systems. I also love working with such a broad spectrum of people, from individual workers to senior policy makers.”

Q2: Career Highlight?
“It depends—receiving awards during my fellowship was certainly an honour. But I’d say the most meaningful moments have been advocating for workers with silicosis and helping to shape better protections through policy.”

Q3: What do you enjoy outside of work?
“Free time? Whats that? I have 2 young children so am kept busy. Days off are generally spent at the beach or camping. I try to find time to myself to get to the gym where I can!  ”

Q4: Dream Dinner Guest?
“My closest friends. Their company, light-hearted and frivolous banter nourishes my soul”

Bonus questions:
Does pineapple ever grace your pizzas?
“With young kids, the Hawaiian is a staple—and it’s actually grown on me!”

Cats or dogs?
“Both! I have a dog, though sometimes I wish she was as low maintenance as a cat.”

Summer or winter?
“Definitely summer. All year round if possible.”

Something surprising about you?
“My non-work goal this year is to master walking handstands and bar muscle-ups at the gym.”

Ocean or bush?
“Tough choice—but if I had to pick one forever, the ocean has my heart.”