Isabel Huey Sien Chew

Dr. Isabel Huey Sien Chew is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Newcastle, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, conducting cutting-edge research in the DAYAS / MANNING Lab on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and behavioral inflexibility using miniature microscopes in transgenic mouse models.

Her academic qualifications include:

• Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle (2024)
• Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge

Dr. Chew's research centers on striatal neural mechanisms underlying compulsive behaviors, specifically examining how dorsal striatum spiny projection neurons govern transitions from goal-directed actions to rigid habits in OCD and addiction. Her methodology integrates neuroimaging, molecular techniques, and behavioral paradigms to decode neural competition/cooperation during decision-making, with findings published in conference presentations on depression-related reward processing.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Full scholarship for undergraduate studies at University of Cambridge
• ISTernship scholarship for research at Institute of Science and Technology, Austria

As an Academic Tutor (2021-2023) and Tutor (2022) for psychology courses at the University of Newcastle, Dr. Chew bridges research and education. Her work is deeply motivated by witnessing mental health stigma in Malaysia, driving her mission to transform neurobiological insights into compassionate OCD treatments and societal understanding.