I co-lead the MHEX Research Group, where I head up the UNSW arm of the collaboration. It’s a powerhouse team across UNSW, UWA, and the Kids Institute which brings together researchers, clinicians, and students who genuinely care about making exercise more accessible in mental health care. I love the mix of creativity and pragmatism in the team. We challenge each other, share wins (and fails), and turn good ideas into real programs that reach the people who need them most.

What’s the most challenging part of your work?

Wearing many different hats at once! Balancing leadership, research, clinical supervision, and teaching, while making sure none of it loses meaning and can continue to help people. Also: spreadsheets.

What’s one project or piece of work you’re most excited about right now?

That would be Stride, our university-based mental health and exercise program. It was originally designed and piloted in Western Australia, and we’re now really excited it has been launched at scale here at UNSW.
The transition has shown us just how needed this kind of initiative is, with both international and domestic students engaging. We’re already seeing improvements in wellbeing and physical activity, and how connected students are feeling to campus the wider community. It’s been amazing to see something we believed in from the beginning take root nationally and begin to shape how mental health support is delivered in tertiary settings.

How would your colleagues describe you in three words?

Supportive, strategic, and quietly relentless (with a coffee in hand).

What do you like to do when you’re not at work?

Sign up for crazy fitness events or races, and going all-in on planning (slightly too detailed) overseas adventures.

Do you have a favourite quote, motto, or piece of advice that guides you?

“Work hard, stay humble, and build the thing that doesn’t exist yet.” This has guided much of my work, from growing our charity Thriving in Motion to creating new research and clinical services. What I love about the MHEX team is that we identify the unmet community needs and work to create the evidence-based and/or inclusive solution that doesn’t yet exist.

Finally, what would you say to someone interested in starting a career in research?

Stay inquisitive and find a topic or question that matters to you. Then surround yourself with people who’ll both support you and challenge you to be your best as a researcher. Research is not always easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.