Laura Bradfield

Laura Bradfield is a Visiting Fellow at the School of Psychology, University of New South Wales (UNSW), specializing in the neural mechanisms underlying goal-directed action and habit formation. Her research integrates behavioral neuroscience with cognitive psychology to understand how brain circuits control action selection.

Her primary research interests include:

• Neural basis of goal-directed action and decision making
• Striatal function and neurotransmitter interactions (particularly acetylcholine and dopamine)
• Thalamostriatal pathways and cognitive control
• Effects of neuroinflammation on behavior and cognition
• Alzheimer's disease models and cognitive impairment

Dr. Bradfield's work demonstrates a consistent focus on how neural circuits in the striatum and connected regions regulate behavior. Her research often employs sophisticated rodent models combined with neural recording techniques to investigate fundamental mechanisms relevant to compulsive behaviors and cognitive disorders. She has made significant contributions to understanding how thalamic inputs to the striatum influence action selection and how disruptions in these systems may contribute to conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Her scientific contributions span high-impact journals including Nature Neuroscience, Science Advances, and Journal of Neuroscience, reflecting her expertise in behavioral neuroscience. She has maintained an active publication record from 2008 through 2025, indicating sustained research productivity and relevance in her field.

Dr. Bradfield actively collaborates with prominent researchers including Bernard Balleine, with whom she has co-authored numerous publications. She has also contributed to policy discussions, including a submission to the New South Wales parliamentary inquiry on animal research ethics and funding.