Prof Frances Kay-lambkin
Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin is the current Institute Director and CEO of the Hunter Medical Research Institute, where she is charged with supporting the thriving and innovative health and medical research ecosystem across the University of Newcastle, the Hunter New England Local Health District, and the community of Newcastle and the Hunter.
Frances leads an international team of researchers, clinicians, and industry partners in the innovative development and translation of evidence-based treatments for comorbid mental and physical disorders, which is internationally recognised for its impact, research quality, and significant translational value. Frances’s research program has been instrumental in demonstrating the transformative impact of digital technologies in bringing integrated treatments to the point of care for people with comorbidity.
In addition to her international research credentials, Professor Kay-Lambkin also has over 10 years research leadership experience, most recently holding the positions of interim Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation and Head of School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle. She is also the newly appointed Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Women in Health Science Committee and is a member of the NHMRC Research Committee, in recognition of her standing in the medical research field and advocacy for medical research in Australia.
She is the current President of the Society for Mental Health Research (the peak body for mental health research in Australia and New Zealand) and the immediate past-President of the International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (the peak international body for research on technology and health). She also serves on the Million Minds Mission Advisory Panel, and the National Mental Health Commission Research Strategy.
Frances is a proud mother of two daughters, and a proud wife to her husband Brett, who is a physical education teacher at their local high school in Newcastle. This makes her ever more passionate about achieving her ultimate goal in mental health research… a world where everybody who has a worry about their mental health – or that of their family members or friends – has hope. Hope of a cure, hope that there is effective help available, and hope that they will be able to find that help when they need it most.
frances.kaylambkin@newcastle.edu.au
DR Dara Sampson
Academic Research Manager
Dara has worked extensively with people who are marginalised and socially excluded. She brings twelve years of direct practice having worked as a senior social worker for Department Human Services (Centrelink). Dara progressed to senior leadership in the corporate and business integrity areas of Centrelink for an additional eight years. During this period she demonstrated her skills in organisational change; strategic planning; policy writing and evaluation. Following this she was a lecturer at University of Newcastle, Social Work for eight years. Dara is also completing her PhD using participatory action research. Her PhD topic is the exploration of the use of fiction in undergraduate social work teaching. Dara teaches on a sessional basis at University of Sydney, Social Work, covering topics such as mental health, disability, research, social policy and lifespan perspectives.
Dara is involved in two ‘Disaster Resilience’ research projects through Office Emergency Management. Dara is a partner in Hunter Collaborative Research and Planning Group. Key consultancy projects include work for two NGO’s and a shire council in areas of evaluation, development of a facilitator guide and policy review. She currently works in the role of Academic Research Manager for our team. She is passionate about the importance of people’s stories and language and how language can extend or challenge social constructions, particularly as they relate to mental health and stigma.
Dara is an avid reader and enjoys yoga, gym classes, travel and theatre.
DR LoUISE THORNTON
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Thornton is a Senior Research Fellow working at both the University of Newcastle and the University of Sydney. She leads a program of research to identify and understand the most effective ways digital technologies can be leveraged to reduce chronic disease risk and improve people’s mental health. Her research primarily focusses on adolescents and young people, and people experiencing mental health problems.
Louise.Thornton@newcastle.edu.au
DR jane rich
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Jane Rich is a Senior Research Fellow at The University of Newcastle. Jane’s research portfolio is focused on human health and well-being with a broad lens including social, cultural, and environmental contexts. Jane is passionate about quality, effective leadership, and meaningful research. Currently, Jane is leading the roll out of eClipse, an e-health clinical trial to support those experiencing challenges with mental health, and drug and alcohol. Jane has a background in clinical trials and public health research.
jane.rich@newcastle.edu.au
Meher Gulhati
Research Assistant
Meher completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology graduating with first division honours from the University of Delhi, India, where her fascination with developmental psychology grew. She pursued her passion by moving to Australia, where she completed a Graduate Diploma in Psychology with distinction in 2022.
Currently, Meher is completing her Honours year while working as a Research Assistant under Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin on projects centred around e-health interventions. She plans to pursue a master’s in educational and developmental psychology in the near future.
Meher’s commitment to her academic and personal endeavours reflects her dedication and aspirations to contribute meaningfully to the field of psychology.
Outside of her work, she enjoys cooking, spending time with her friends, and reading.
meher.gulhati@newcastle.edu.au
clare corliss
Research Assistant
Clare completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced) with Distinction in 2022, and she is currently undertaking her Honours year in psychology at the University of Newcastle. In addition to her studies, Clare is employed as a part-time Research Assistant for Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin. She works on a range of projects aiming to support and improve the wellbeing of individuals across the lifespan through e-health interventions.
Prior to beginning this role, Clare worked as a Behaviour Therapist for an early intervention service supporting autistic children, and she currently volunteers as a Lifeline Digital Text Crisis Supporter.
Outside of work, Clare enjoys going to the beach, travelling, and spending time with her friends and family.
clare.corliss@newcastle.edu.au
DANIELLE SIMMONETTE
Research Officer
Dani is an accredited Social Worker currently working part time as a Project Officer for Professor Kay-Lambkin. Dani has a keen interest in developing e-health solutions and interventions that centre the lived experience voice.
Dani has extensive direct practice experience in the context of Mental Health, Child, Youth and Family Support and Domestic and Family Violence. Through this work Dani has developed a passion for accessible, inclusive and culturally safe support particularly in the context of neurodiversity, mental health and trauma.
When she isn’t spending time with friends and family, Dani can be found playing video games, listening to audiobooks, or playing with her dog aka Jaxi the Fish.
Danielle.Simmonette@newcastle.edu.au
