I am a first-year PhD student at Flinders University, supervised by Professor Melanie Takarangi. I am interested in cognitive psychology research that has clinical applications, for example, the experience of involuntary memories (i.e., intrusions) following traumatic events, which are implicated in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.

My PhD research will specifically investigate the experience of intrusions following events that were not personally experienced, and the reasons why such intrusions occur. For example, if a family member experienced a traumatic event and told a loved one about the event, what factors/circumstances may make that loved one more susceptible to experiencing intrusions about the event? Establishing the mechanisms underlying the ‘transmission’ of intrusions will help prevent vulnerable populations, such as families of veterans and front-line workers (e.g., police, firefighters, paramedics) from experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.