Training & appointments   |
I gained my PhD at The University of Melbourne in December 2012, on the neurobiology of cannabis use. I held Research Fellows posts at the Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne (2013), and at Monash University to study the neurobiology of addiction disorders (cannabis, gambling, cocaine) (2014-2016). In 2014, I visited the D'Or Research Institute (Brazil) to run the first study using a Virtual Reality brain-computer-interface in a real-time fMRI-based neurofeedback platform, which I replicated at Monash. I was in the UK for two years (2016-2018). There, I held a Research Fellow post at University of East London with Prof Fu to map neuroimmunology mechanisms of novel treatments (mindfulness, SNRI) in depression (May-July 2016) and a Senior Lecturer post at the University of Liverpool to consolidate my research agenda in addiction neuroscience. I moved back with my family to Australia with a tenure Senior Lecturer post at Australian Catholic University (Apr 2018-current). |
Scientific contribution   |
I am recognized as an expert in the field of addiction neurosciences. Using neuroimaging and neurocognitive methods and techniques in humans, my research has advanced the current understanding of the neurocognitive and mental health correlates of (i) cannabis and alcohol dependence (ii) other psychopathologies including depression, psychotic disorders, problem gambling and opiate addiction. |
Track record   |
My research has resulted in 636publications to date, published in well-regarded peer reviewed neuroscientific journals including American Journal of Psychiatry (IF:14.176), Human Brain Mapping (2018, IF: 4.927), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2018, IF: 9.504), Lancet Psychiatry (2017, IF:15.233), JAMA Psychiatry (2016, IF:16.642) and Brain (2012, IF:10.840). I have an H-index of 22. My work has attracted >2,000 citations, including a highly cited paper in Journal of Affective Disorders (2008, IF:3.786, >460 citations). I have attracted a total grant value of ~A$2.5M, including a NHRMC project grant (2017-2021), 3 x fellowships, and other research funding. |
 
 
 
 
I regularly provided advanced training in neuroimaging methods and techniques to examine psychiatry disorders and neurodevelopment, involving to date >30 graduate/postgraduate students, and ~20 international visiting academics from national/international research centres. This work resulted in publications in peer-reviewed international journals and preparation for and Honors/PhD theses.
Assistant Editor, Addiction
Editorial Board, Psychiatric Research Neuroimaging
Member of:
European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Society for the Study of Addiction
World Federation Society for Biological Psychiatry
 
ENIGMA Addiction consortium
Neuroscience Interest Group, Lead of Neuroimaging stream