Early and Mid-Career Researchers

Helping early and mid-career researchers

An important aspect of the society’s work is support for early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) through peer exchange, mentoring programs, and promotion of clinical trials.
Our EMCR sub-committee is dedicated to facilitating collaboration and opportunities for the next generation of mood disorder research leaders who’ve been in the field for less than 10 years. It gives them a strong and influential voice within the ASBDD.

The resources available include:

  • Networking and knowledge-building events
  • Prizes and travel awards
  • Support and advice from ASBDD members
  • A platform to showcase research

How to get involved

To find out more about the work of the EMCR sub-committee, or to receive information about activities, email the online liaison officer at emcr@asbdd.org.au.

Become a state representative

We’re currently looking for EMCRs to represent their state on the sub-committee. If you’re interested in finding out what’s involved, email the EMCR Chairperson at emcr@asbdd.org.au. There are vacancies for every state and territory, apart from Victoria, and both islands in New Zealand.

EMCR Committee Members

member

Dr Katie Douglas

Co-chair

Katie is a senior research fellow and clinical psychologist at the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch. She is a current recipient of the Sir Charles Hercus Fellowship from the Health Research Council of New Zealand. 

Her main research interest is in understanding cognitive impairment in mood disorders and the development of novel targeted interventions. She also leads research streams within her department examining the cognitive and psychological impact of natural disasters and hormonal aspects of women’s mental health. 

She is the principal investigator on two fully-funded, clinical trials for recurrent mood disorders (IPSRT combined with cognitive remediation) and treatment-resistant bipolar disorder (bright light and social rhythm therapy), as well as a named investigator on two further current clinical trials on tele-IPSRT for recurrent mood disorders and activation therapy for inpatient depression.

member

Dr Katie Douglas

Co-chair

Katie is a senior research fellow and clinical psychologist at the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch. She is a current recipient of the Sir Charles Hercus Fellowship from the Health Research Council of New Zealand. 

Her main research interest is in understanding cognitive impairment in mood disorders and the development of novel targeted interventions. She also leads research streams within her department examining the cognitive and psychological impact of natural disasters and hormonal aspects of women’s mental health. 

She is the principal investigator on two fully-funded, clinical trials for recurrent mood disorders (IPSRT combined with cognitive remediation) and treatment-resistant bipolar disorder (bright light and social rhythm therapy), as well as a named investigator on two further current clinical trials on tele-IPSRT for recurrent mood disorders and activation therapy for inpatient depression.

member

Associate Professor Olivia Dean

Committee Member

Olivia is currently director of trials at the Institute for Mental and Physical Health And Clinical Translation (IMPACT) and an R.D. Wright NHMRC Biomedical Career Development Fellow at Deakin University.

She is also the immediate past chair of the ASBDD and holds honorary appointments with the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne and Barwon Health. 

Olivia is committed to providing better treatment for people with mental disorders and is actively involved in ensuring her research reaches community forums and outcomes are directly translated into clinical practice.

member

Dr Jennifer Nicholas

Co-chair

Dr Jen Nicholas is a research fellow at the Centre for Youth Mental health, University of Melbourne and Orygen, the world’s largest youth mental health research institute. Her research interests relate to how technology can both i) increase the availability, effectiveness, and reach of mental health interventions, and ii) support services to provide 21st century mental health care.

Jen completed her PhD in digital mental health for early intervention in bipolar disorder in late 2017 at the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute. She then spent 18months at Northwestern University in Chicago, USA, at the Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies as a postdoctoral research fellow, before returning to Australia as a Research Fellow at Orygen.

In 2022, Jen will begin her NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellowship in digital mental health implementation. For years, evidence-based digital interventions have promised to address limitations in accessing high quality, sustainable mental health care – but have so far failed to deliver. Her work will address this failure of research translation by refining, evaluating, and disseminating key implementation strategies in digital youth mental health and designing the next generation of implementation-ready digital interventions. This work will build on her recent research on the integration of MOST, a digital youth mental health intervention into youth mental health services across Victoria.

Become a member

ASBDD members enjoy exclusive access to our secure Membership Site, which contains a range of presentations from previous conferences and other events. Members also get discounted registration for conferences and presentations and up-to-date information on news and upcoming initiatives.

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