Education & Experience
I’m an optometrist clinician scientist and Research Fellow at the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA). I have a particular interest in new treatments and diagnostics for eye conditions including glaucoma, and uncovering what the eye can tell us about the brain in dementia.
I am culturally and linguistically diverse and am part of the first generation to attend university. I teach in to the Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Melbourne as a lecturer and clinical supervisor. Over the years I have become a passionate science communicator and in recognition of this, was selected for 2022 ABC Top 5 for Science, and am a Superstar of STEM (2023-2024). I’ve appeared on radio and TV locally and nationally to talk about science and research and have a keen interest in multidisciplinary research and advocacy for early and mid-career researchers.
In my spare time, you can find me doing school visits to promote STEAM education and careers to the next generation and as a mentor for Curious Minds and Inspiring Girls.
Leadership positions:
Board Director: Toyota Community Trust, a $32m endowment fund that directly aligns with my passion in supporting STEM education and careers across Australia.
Chair (Membership Engagement), Executive Committee Member: Australasian Association for Academic Primary Care (AAAPC)
Member: CERA Consumer Advisory Group
Member: CERA Gender, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Member: Franklin Women Victoria Working Group
Co-chair: Early to Mid-Career Academic Association (EMCAA), Melbourne School of Health Sciences (2021-22)
Qualifications
2016: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), The University of Melbourne
2010: Master of Philosophy (MPhil), The University of Melbourne
2008: Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom), The University of Melbourne
I completed a Masters and PhD in lab-based fundamental sciences, concentrating on models of glaucoma and using retinal imaging as a biomarker for the brain. Building upon this work, I led the clinical work in a landmark study of hyperspectral retinal imaging to accurately differentiate people who were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. At CERA, I focused on developing novel clinical tools to shorten the timeframe to detect glaucoma progression. This culminated in a world-first clinical trial investigating the potential of high-dose nicotinamide for neuroprotection in human glaucoma. I am continuing this work, leading an Australian clinical trial in a global collaboration to determine whether nicotinamide should be incorporated into standard glaucoma care.