Recipients of the 2019 APS Awards

Dr Alana Fisher Assoc MAPS

The University of Sydney

Thesis title – Enhancing treatment decision-making in bipolar II disorder: Development and evaluation of a treatment decision-aid for patients and their families

Alana’s thesis comprised a multiphase program of qualitative and quantitative research which culminated in the co-design and evaluation of a world-first decision-aid to promote shared decision-making for patients considering treatment options to prevent relapse in bipolar II disorder. Her findings showed that the patient decision-aid was acceptable, feasible and safe to use in amongst potential end-users, and supported patients to be knowledgeable about treatment options and make an informed choice based on the best available clinical evidence and personal preferences. Based on her thesis, Alana has published six first-author publications, presented 13 times at international/national conferences, and was awarded a prestigious Australian Rotary Mental Health Grant to lead a website adaption and RCT of the decision-aid to empower young adults making treatment decisions.

Dr Gabrielle King MAPS

University of New South Wales

Thesis title – Individual differences in rate of extinction and relapse

Gabrielle completed her PhD thesis concurrent with a Master of Clinical Psychology and is a clinical psychologist. Her thesis provides insight into the processes underpinning relapse, which might further improve treatment of anxiety disorders. She found that individuals who learn to inhibit their fear more slowly are more susceptible to relapse (published in Behaviour Research & Therapy), have a different neural signature (in prep), and are less responsive to pharmacological adjuncts (published in Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry). Gabrielle has received numerous accolades for her work, including the 2019 Paxinos PhD Prize, the Australian Clinical Psychology Association Prize at the 2017 Sydney Postgraduate Psychology Conference, the 2017 UNSW Postgraduate Research Competition, receiving a $2500 Travel Award for the 3rd International Symposium on Resilience Research, and the UNSW Research Excellence Award.

Dr David Preece MAPS

Edith Cowan University

Thesis title – Measuring emotional reactivity, alexithymia, and emotion regulation as clinically relevant emotional constructs: Theoretical considerations and the development of new psychometric measures

David is a psychologist who completed his PhD at Edith Cowan University. As part of his thesis, he integrated and evaluated several theoretical models, helping to clarify the structure and definition of three key emotional constructs: emotional reactivity, alexithymia and emotion regulation. He also developed three new self-report measures to assess these constructs more comprehensively in clinical and research settings. Across several studies, David demonstrated that these measures had good validity, and could assess emotional reactivity (Perth Emotional Reactivity Scale-Short Form), alexithymia (Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire), and emotion regulation (Perth Emotion Regulation Competency Inventory) in greater detail than was previously possible. David now works as a research fellow at Curtin University, where much of his research involves using these assessment tools to inform transdiagnostic conceptualisations and treatments of emotional disorders.

Professor Craig Gonsalvez FAPS

Craig’s contributions to psychology education as both a clinical psychologist and academic have been in areas of practitioner training and supervision, and competency pedagogy and assessment across a 25-year period. He is a recognised expert in clinical supervision, has contributed a large number of scholarly publications to the area and delivered several keynote addresses at international conferences. At the national level, he has served as Chair of Course Approvals for the APS Clinical College for a five-year period, and received the 2009 APS College of Clinical Psychologists Award of Distinction.

Craig’s contributions to competency pedagogy are documented in a large number of scientific publications and have been recognised by several research grants and Australian Awards for University Teaching, including a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2016) and a Teaching Excellence Award (2017). In assessment, Craig has been the leader of a multi-site study involving 11 universities that have contributed to the design, refinement and evaluation of innovative competency instruments – the Clinical Psychology Practicum Competency Rating Scale (CYPRS) and the Vignette-Matching Assessment Tool (VMAT) which are currently used by more than 25 universities.

Professor Martine Powell FAPS

Martine is the Founding Director of the Centre for Investigative Interviewing based in the Griffith Criminology Institute at Griffith University. The Centre is an international research and training hub focused on expanding knowledge on the ‘how to’ of obtaining accurate and detailed information from people about events to assist decision-making. Her work also addresses the topic of transfer of knowledge to the field, especially guidance for interviewers of vulnerable interviewee groups (e.g., children, adults with complex communication needs) and questioning about sensitive topics such as sexual assault. Martine has adopted a constructive and innovative scientific approach, working in strong partnership with industry.

Martine’s outputs are extensive – she has produced 288 publications, supervised 34 doctoral/PhD students, and been the lead or co-chief investigator on Category 1 grants, including 11 Australian Research Council and five Australian Institute of Criminology grants. Her direct research income is in excess of $5M. The influence of Martine’s research has been recognised by several lifetime career awards and the widespread dissemination of her work, which has sparked a global revolution in interview training. Her funded industry partnerships span a range of disciplines (law, policing, health, education, business) and numerous countries across the globe.

Dr Carly Johnco MAPS

Carly is a Macquarie University Research Fellow and clinical psychologist. Her research is focused on understanding the cognitive and environmental mechanisms that impact the development and treatment of anxiety (and related disorders) in childhood and older age. She has published a career total of 56 journal articles and book chapters, and has received more than $3.5 million in research funding, including one early-career fellowship grant and two NHMRC Project Grants. After completing her combined Phd/Masters in Clinical Psychology in 2014, she completed a two-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of South Florida before returning to Australia for another Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Macquarie University. She has received several prestigious awards, including the 2018 Australian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies Tracey Goodall Early Career Award and 2017 Macquarie University Early Career Researcher of the Year Award.

Dr Halley Pontes MAPS

Halley is a psychologist working as a lecturer at the University of Tasmania. He received his PhD in Psychology in 2017 from the Nottingham Trent University (United Kingdom) where he investigated the issue of assessment in behavioural addictions. During the course of his career, Halley has made significant contributions to the psychology of addictive behaviours, in particular to the clinical and psychometric assessment of gaming disorder. In 2016 Halley was awarded the Durand Jacobs Awards by McGill University (Canada) for his outstanding research contributions. He has disseminated his research findings prolifically across 62 journal articles, 14 book chapters, 1 book, along with numerous conference abstracts/proceedings and is regarded as an international expert in the field of behavioural addictions. He also actively contributes to his field in the capacity of associate editor and peer reviewer for a number of high-profile journals.

Dr Timothy Ballard MAPS

Timothy’s goal as a researcher is to conduct research that both advances theory and has practical impact. Tim’s main areas of interest are decision-making, motivation and performance. A core aim of his work is understanding how people make decisions in dynamic, complex and uncertain environments. Tim’s research program combines both experimental and mathematical modelling approaches to uncover the general principles at the core of these processes. He uses this knowledge to achieve practical outcomes such as by enhancing the capacity and safety of unmanned aerial systems operation, facilitating tactical decision-making in military contexts, and improving climate-change mitigation practices among industry and government.

Dr Milena Gandy MAPS

Milena is a clinical psychologist, a Macquarie University Research Fellow and senior member of the eCentreClinic. Her applied clinical research aims to improve the mental health and psychological care of adults with neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and acquired brain injury. As an emerging researcher, she has developed several streams of research in this area, spanning mental health detection, epidemiology, treatment and policy work. Her outstanding academic and translational achievements are reflected in her publications (n = 47), increasing citation rate (Google H-index of 20), grant funding success and role on a psychology task force with the prestigious International League Against Epilepsy. She is now developing and evaluating the world’s first transdiagnostic internet-delivered self-management program for neurological disorders, the Wellbeing Neuro Course. This highly innovative program combines psychological treatment components for mental health and cognitive rehabilitation and is suitable for a variety of neurological disorders.

Dr Nadine Brayley MAPS

Nadine completed her PhD in 2014 and worked in a variety of sessional teaching roles between 2014 and 2017. In 2018, Nadine commenced in a teaching intensive position at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), focusing on social and organisational psychology, and work integrated learning. She is strongly dedicated to giving students authentic learning experiences that contribute to their future employability and which draw their attention to the value of their skills and abilities in the real world. She combines a student-focused approach with an understanding of industry partner needs to deliver exceptional work-integrated learning outcomes. Nadine actively engages in professional development opportunities aligned with teaching and research, in particular those relating to work integrated learning and employability.

Dr Madeleine Ferrari MAPS

Madeleine is a psychology lecturer in the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences at Australian Catholic University. She lectures in clinical topics across undergraduate and post-graduate courses, facilitates group supervision of Clinical Masters students, and supervises Honours and Master’s research theses. Madeleine is a clinical psychologist and works in private practice in the Sydney CBD specialising in working with members of the Australian Defence Force. She is also currently completing a PhD at the University of Sydney focusing on self-compassion. Her interest in emerging therapies, such as compassion-focused therapy, intersects across her teaching, clinical practice and research work. She is passionate and enthusiastic about teaching and seeks to engage students through Socratic, inquiry-based learning to scaffold and further develop critical thinking skills. Madeleine was also the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Lecturer in Psychology Award (APS Sydney Branch).

Associate Professor Ben Colagiuri

Ben is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney. His research explores how expectancies influence human behaviour with a specific interest in placebo and nocebo effects. Since receiving his PhD in 2010, he has published more than 60 international journal articles, attracted more than $2 million in competitive grants, and won multiple prizes in recognition of his outstanding research. Ben is passionate about communicating his research and promoting psychological science to the public. He is an adept science communicator, regularly contributing to mainstream media stories in his field, including TV, print, radio, and online. He also dedicates substantial time to engage in outreach activities to promote psychology across all levels of the community, ranging from rural school children to Federal MPs.

Professor Peter Norton

Peter is a pioneer in transdiagnostic models of anxiety. Born in Canada, he received his PhD from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He began his career at the University of Houston and, since 2014, has been at Monash University. Peter has supervised 57 undergraduate and postgraduate theses, and published more than 70 papers or chapters with graduate and undergraduate mentees. His mentees have received Research Training Program scholarships, University of Houston grants and awards, and awards or fellowships from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, Psi Chi International, and the US National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Drug Abuse, and National Institute of Mental Health. His students have gone on to numerous faculty appointments including at the National Institute of Mental Health, Stanford University Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of Witwatersrand.

Professor Shane Thomas MAPS

Shane is a health psychologist, Honorary Professor in the Research School of Population Health at the Australian National University, and Director of the International Institute for Primary Health Care Research in Shenzhen China. He has an international reputation in the areas of public health, primary health care and problem gambling. Shane led the development of a prestigious NHMRC clinical guideline in problem gambling and associated Cochrane systematic reviews. His book with Steve Polgar, Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences, was recently published in its seventh edition. Shane has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, monographs and books, and has supervised and co-supervised 50 PhD students to successful completion.

Shane has held senior positions and chairs in leading universities including Pro Vice Chancellor International, Associate President, Executive Director, Deputy Dean, Associate Dean, Institute Head and Centre Head. He has a longstanding interest in international research collaboration and he has been awarded national government commendations for his work in China, Saudi Arabia and Australia. He was awarded the title of Honorary Professor at Peking University. Shane has an interest in health psychology and was a member of the foundation group that established the College in the APS.

Professor Pat Dudgeon FAPS

Pat is from the Bardi people of the Kimberly area in Western Australia. She is a Professor and Poche Research Fellow at the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Western Australia. Her area of research includes Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing, and suicide prevention. Pat is the Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project and the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention. She is also the lead chief investigator of a national research project, Generating Indigenous Patient-centred, Clinically and Culturally Capable Models of Mental Health Care. The project aims to develop approaches to Indigenous mental health services that foster and promote cultural values and strengths, as well as empower those who use the services.