Research labs

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Clare Anderson Lab

Our vision is to optimise cognitive health for performance, health and safety, across the life span.

Our vision is to optimise cognitive health for performance, health and safety, across the life span. As an Applied Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience lab, we employ sleep and circadian knowledge and principles to societal issues, with a specific focus on optimising road safety and promoting healthy ageing. Our group specialise in sleep and circadian focussed laboratory- and field-based methodologies, including the implementation of technological and biological approaches such as polysomnography, ocular metrics, metabolomics, and neurocognitive testing. The Lab is led by Associate Professor Clare Anderson.

Peter Anderson Lab

We enhance the quality of life of children who have an early brain insult and ‘at-risk’ for neurodevelopmental problems.

Our research aims to enhance the quality of life for children who have an early brain insult and ‘at-risk’ for neurodevelopmental problems such as cognitive deficits, educational difficulties, motor impairments, behaviour problems, and social issues. Our team focuses on children born very preterm, but we are also interested in other clinical populations such as children with congenital heart disease, and those prenatally exposed to alcohol. The Lab is led by Professor Peter Anderson.

Bei Bei Lab

Investigating the relationship between sleep and mental health with strengths from clinical psychology, sleep and circadian rhythms, and data sciences.

Our group harmonises strengths from clinical psychology, sleep and circadian rhythms, and data sciences to shed new lights on the relationship between sleep and mental health, and to improve the treatment of sleep and circadian rhythm disorders. The Lab is led by Associate Professor Bei Bei

Trevor Chong Lab

We undertake interdisciplinary research to understand the neurobiology of learning, memory and decision-making in health and disease.

We undertake interdisciplinary research to understand the neurobiology of learning, memory and decision-making in health and disease. The Lab is led by Dr Trevor Chong.
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James Coxon Lab

Our lab seeks to better understand how cardiorespiratory exercise impacts brain plasticity, learning, and cognition.

The association between physical activity and a healthy life is well established. We also know that physical exercise can impact the central nervous system and cognition. However, we are yet to fully understand the underlying mechanisms, or the parameters of exercise that result in optimal effects for the brain. What are the implications of engaging in physical exercise for brain function and brain ageing? Our lab seeks to better understand how cardiorespiratory exercise impacts brain plasticity, learning, and cognition. The Lab is led by Dr James Coxon

Sean Drummond Lab

We examine the role of sleep and sleep loss in cognition, behaviour, and mental health.

Broadly speaking, we examine the role of sleep and sleep loss in cognition, behaviour, and mental health. We assess sleep both in the Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Program Area’s state of the art sleep lab and at home, using polysomnography (EEG-based sleep studies), actigraphy (non-invasive, motion-based assessment of sleep), and self-report. We are interested in a plethora of cognitive domains, including decision making, attention, working memory and error awareness. To measure cognition, we employ computerised tests, EEG, EMG, ERPs, and pupillometry. We are keenly interested in the role of sleep in mental health, especially PTSD and mood disorders. We conduct both mechanism studies and treatment studies in this area.
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Elise R. Facer-Childs Lab

We aim to increase the understanding of sleep and chronobiology, focusing on elite athletes, exercise, recovery, health and performance.

Our aim is to increase the understanding of sleep and chronobiology in the real world, with a focus on elite athletes, exercise, recovery, health and performance. We work with industry partners and elite sporting organisations to directly translate our research into tangible benefit. This is a niche area at Monash University that integrates psychology, sport science and industry engagement.

Alex Fornito Lab

We undertake interdisciplinary research to understand how the brain functions as an integrated network, in both health and disease.

We undertake interdisciplinary research to understand how the brain functions as an integrated network, in both health and disease. Our goal is to understand how different parts of the brain communicate with each other, how brain function supports adaptive behaviour, and how disruptions of brain function influence risk for mental illness. The Lab is led by Professor Alex Fornito

Antonio Verdejo Garcia Lab

We're interested in understanding how addictive disorders change the brain and goal-oriented behaviour.

Welcome to the Addiction and Impulsivity Research (AIR) Lab Our group is interested in understanding how addictive disorders change the brain and goal-oriented behaviour. We also apply this knowledge to create and test new interventions to improve goal-based decision-making. We study impulsivity as a common symptom of substance and behavioural addictions, obesity and eating disorders. We use brain imaging, cognitive testing and digital technology to understand how people with these disorders make decisions about rewards and risks. To design our interventions, we use principles of neuropsychology and behaviour change, and apply person-based approaches and co-design, cognitive remediation and persuasive technologies optimised to strengthen goal-driven choices. The Lab is led by Professor Antonio Verdejo-Garcia.

Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis Lab

We undertake world-class interdisciplinary clinical research in rare neurodegenerative disorders.

Welcome to the Experimental Neuropsychology Research Unit (ENRU) We undertake world-class interdisciplinary clinical research in rare neurodegenerative disorders (such as Huntington’s disease and Friedreich ataxia) that will accelerate further understanding of cognitive, motor, and neuropathological deficits associated with disease. The Lab is led by Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis.
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Leonardo Gollo Lab

We investigate multiscale dynamics of brain networks to understand underlying computational principles and neural mechanisms of brain function and dysfunction.

Our research aims at investigating multiscale dynamics of brain networks to understand the underlying computational principles and neural mechanisms of brain function and dysfunction. To better understand brain networks, their dynamics, and the effects of brain stimulation, we use a combination of neuroimaging and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, and develop computational and theoretical models of neural systems. The Lab is led by Dr Leonardo Gollo
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Kylie King Lab

We take a public health approach to suicide prevention, inspired by the potential for population-level interventions to impact mental health.

Led by Dr Kylie King, the suicide prevention research lab takes a public health approach to suicide prevention, inspired by the potential for population-level interventions to impact mental health. We consider opportunities for prevention across social, cultural, contextual, and individual levels, working in collaboration with partner organisations. Our research aims to translate knowledge into practice, prioritising the voices of those with lived experience and those who work with suicidal individuals to inform and evaluate suicide prevention initiatives. Our specialty areas include; male suicide prevention, gatekeeper training, program evaluation, youth and school-based interventions, and suicide prevention education.
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Hannak Kirk Lab

We assess the impact that digital technologies have on childhood mental health as well as cognitive, behavioural and academic development.

Welcome to the Child Development and Digital Technologies (CDDT) Laboratory The CDDT lab’s focuses on how children are developing within the digital age. Our goal is to assess the impact that digital technologies have on childhood mental health as well as cognitive, behavioural and academic development. We are interested in creating evidence-based digital technologies to optimise mental and cognitive health in childhood. Our lab has created a series of novel virtual reality and game-based interventions for neurodivergent children that are used globally. Over the next 5 years the CDDT lab will continue to expand and refine its inventory of digital tools and interventions. We aim to understand the mechanisms that underlie digital interventions and delineate who these interventions work best for and why. In addition, we aim to document the impact of our every changing digital landscape on childhood mental and cognitive health. The Lab is led by Dr Hannah Kirk

Sharna Jamadar Lab

We're interested in how our life experiences change our brains.

Welcome to the Cognitive Neuroimaging Lab We are interested in how our life experiences change our brains. We are highly interdisciplinary in our approach, converging information from cognitive, behavioural, and psychosocial measures with multimodal neuroimaging to understand brain-behaviour relationships. The Lab is led by Dr Sharna Jamadar.

Melinda Jackson Lab

Our team focuses on examining the impact of sleep disturbance and clinical sleep disorders on cognition, brain health and mood.

Sleep, Cognition and Mental Health. Our team is interested in examining the impact of sleep disturbance and clinical sleep disorders on cognition, brain health and mood. We take an interdisciplinary approach, sitting at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience and clinical sleep medicine. Our research aims to better understand and treat sleep disorders to improve mental health, well-being and quality of life across the lifespan The Lab is led by Dr Melinda Jackson

Laura Jobson Lab

We're undertaking cutting-edge translational research exploring the influence of culture on current understandings and treatment of trauma and mental health.

Culture, Trauma and Mental Health Group

Yen Ying Lim Lab

We conduct clinical and epidemiological studies to understand the causes of cognitive impairment, develop dementia biomarkers, and evaluate preventative interventions.

Our mission is to curtail the growing burden of cognitive impairment and dementia. We conduct several clinical and epidemiological studies to better understand the causes of cognitive impairment, develop dementia biomarkers, and evaluate preventative interventions. Our team has a specific interest in Alzheimer’s disease dementia, vascular cognitive impairment, cognitive assessment, and in the application of remote assessment and digital technologies. Our flagship initiatives are The Healthy Brain Project and The BetterBrains Trial. The group is led by Associate Professor Yen Ying Lim and Associate Professor Matthew Pase.

Emma Morton Lab

Our research aims to optimise the quality of life of people living with mood disorders, focusing on bipolar disorder.

Our goal is to optimise the health and quality of life of people living with mood disorders, with an emphasis on people who live with bipolar disorder. To this end, we seek to better understand factors which influence both symptoms and patient-valued outcomes, and use these findings to inform the development and evaluation of psychological interventions. We also research ways to strengthen and diversify avenues to psychological support, such as self-management education programs, clinician training, digital health tools, and peer support. Our work utilises a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches, and we believe in the importance of community-engaged research.

James Pang Lab

We are an interdisciplinary research group seeking to uncover the fundamental principles that govern brain organisation across species and scales.

Welcome to the Computational and Comparative Brain Dynamics Laboratory. We are an interdisciplinary research group seeking to uncover the fundamental principles that govern brain organisation across species and scales. We specifically develop new theoretical, computational, and data-driven approaches to understand how complex brain dynamics emerge, adapt across development, break down in neurological and psychiatric disorders, and have evolved across mammals. Our main goal is to bridge molecules, cells, circuits, and whole-brain activity, while leveraging evolutionary diversity, to build a unified understanding of the brain in health and disease.

Matthew Pase Lab

We aim to reduce the overall burden of dementia through robust epidemiological analyses of large cohorts and clinical studies.

Welcome to the Epidemiology of Dementia (Epi-D) Research Lab The Epi-D Research Lab aims to reduce the overall burden of dementia through robust epidemiological analyses of large cohorts and clinical studies. Up to 40% of dementias are potentially preventable. The Lab leads several local and international initiatives to (i) characterize risk and protective factors for cognitive decline and dementia and (ii) validate biomarkers for dementia prediction and diagnosis. The Lab has a strong interest in understanding the role of sleep, vascular health, lifestyle, and neuroinflammation in dementia pathogenesis, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular cognitive impairment. The team has identified several modifiable dementia risk factors that are now incorporated into mainstream dementia prevention guidelines, such as poor cardiovascular health. The Lab is led by Associate Professor Matthew Pase.

Jennie Ponsford Lab

Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre examines programs for people with brain or trauma-related injuries for better functional, psychological, and social outcomes.

Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre (MERRC) conducts ethical, innovative and internationally competitive research. We investigate the effectiveness of intervention programs for individuals with brain injuries or other injuries sustained as a result of trauma, with the ultimate aim of maximising their functional, psychological and social outcomes.

Adeel Razi Lab

Our research combines engineering, physics, and machine-learning approaches to answer questions that are motivated by and grounded in neurobiology.

Welcome to the Computational and Systems Neuroscience Laboratory Our research combines engineering, physics, and machine-learning approaches to answer questions that are motivated by and grounded in neurobiology. Our research involves creating models of how the brain is wired and how it responds in different situations. These models are used to interpret measured brain responses using brain imaging. The Lab is led by Associate Professor Adeel Razi.

Nicole Rinehart Lab

We aim to co-design, evaluate, and deliver a gold-standard model of care for children with disabilities to thrive.

AllPlay, All Play, Today, more than 350,000 new babies will be welcomed into the world. Each child and parent share a similar vision, a hope to be embraced by the community and supported to thrive and make the most of life’s opportunities. For the 1 in 10 children with disability and their parents, this shared vision is no different, and should be no less achievable. Children with disabilities such as blindness, cerebral palsy, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience barriers to inclusion in their daily lives. Experiences of exclusion have a dramatic impact well into adulthood, affecting their future physical and mental health, career opportunities, economic security, relationships, and more. By bringing research and the community together, we aim to co-design, evaluate and deliver a new gold-standard model of care to support children with disability to thrive in all areas of life.

Tracey Sletten Lab

We specialise in translational research to understand and improve sleep health challenges in unique industry settings.

Our research and industry engagement program is focussed on the mechanisms of sleep and circadian disruption, particularly in shift workers. We work to understand the adverse implications of sleep and circadian disruption for health, safety and productivity, and develop targeted interventions to improve sleep health in occupational environments. We specialise in translational research to understand and improve sleep health challenges in unique industry settings including healthcare, Defence, commercial aviation, heavy vehicle transport, manufacturing and Antarctic expedition. Novel interventions to support shift workers at both the organisational and individual level, are continuously informed by our direct industry and consumer engagement.

Julie Stout Lab

We conduct clinical research to improve understanding of Huntington’s disease and other young onset neurocognitive disorders.

We conduct clinical research to improve understanding of Huntington’s disease and other young onset neurocognitive disorders. Our research spans cognitive assessment, clinical and biological interdisciplinary natural history studies, clinical and biomarker validation studies, and clinical trials. The Lab is led by Professor Julie Stout.

Nao Tsuchiya Lab

We use a multitude of interdisciplinary methods, aiming to eventually uncover the link between consciousness and its physical substrate.

Welcome to the Monash Neuroscience of Consciousness (MoNoC) Why do we experience consciousness during awake periods but not deep sleep? During wakefulness, why do we experience a particular conscious experience, such as vision, audition, and so on? At Monash Neuroscience of Consciousness, we address these questions using a multitude of interdisciplinary methods, aiming to eventually uncover the link between consciousness and its physical substrate. The Lab is led by Professor Nao Tsuchiya.

Mari Yap Lab

Our research develops enhanced scalable and sustainable parenting programs for high-prevalence mental health problems like depression and anxiety disorders.

Welcome to the Parenting and Youth Mental Health research group We believe in the importance of empowering parents and carers in the important role they play in the mental health of children and young people. To that end, we conduct research involving the development and enhancement of scalable and sustainable parenting programs, as well as research into ways to increase the reach and uptake of these programs across the population in Australia and globally, across prevention and into treatment and maintenance of recovery from high-prevalence mental health problems like depression and anxiety disorders. The Lab is led by Associate Professor Marie Yap.

Alex Wolkow Lab

We aim to better understand and counteract the impact of poor sleep on health, safety, and performance in high-risk occupations.

Welcome to the Sleep and Occupational Health Research Group. Our goal is to better understand, and counteract, the impact of poor sleep and other workplace stressors on health, safety, and performance in high-risk occupations. Our team is interested in both the acute and long-term impact of sleep disturbances and other stressors in occupational settings. We use simulated work environments to explore the acute impact of sleep loss on work performance and stress, as well as cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to examine the link between sleep and health issues in the workplace. A further area of focus for our team is examining the effectiveness of interventions and workplace programs designed to enhance health and wellbeing in high-risk occupations.