Lucette Cysique

Dr. Lucette Cysique is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), with affiliations in the Faculty of Medicine & Health and The Kirby Institute. She is an internationally recognized researcher in neuropsychology with a focus on neurocognitive changes in chronic infectious conditions, particularly HIV and COVID-19.

Dr. Cysique completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in Neuro/Psychology in France and the UK, earned her PhD in Neuropsychology in Australia, and completed post-doctoral training in Neuropsychology and neuroimaging in both the US and Australia. Her academic journey has positioned her at the forefront of NeuroHIV research and the emerging field of NeuroCOVID.

Dr. Cysique's research program focuses on three primary areas:

• Modeling neurocognitive and brain changes in chronic infectious conditions (particularly HIV infection and COVID-19) using neuropsychological and neuroimaging (MRI, PET) methods to understand both deterioration and improvement/compensatory strategies
• Quantitative neuropsychology methods for measuring cognitive change, with emphasis on reliable change indices and methodological rigor
• Cross-cultural neuropsychology, developing and validating cognitive tests appropriate for diverse populations worldwide

Analysis of Dr. Cysique's recent publication record reveals a strong focus on the intersection of HIV, aging, and neurocognition. Her work increasingly addresses global health disparities in neurocognitive outcomes, with particular attention to low- and middle-income countries. There's a clear trajectory toward understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive changes in HIV, with recent work examining cellular and molecular correlates of neurocognitive impairment. Her research also demonstrates growing interest in the neurological sequelae of COVID-19, where she serves as Chair of the NeuroCOVID International Neuropsychological Society (INS) Special Interest Group.

Dr. Cysique actively leads and co-leads NeuroHIV studies and trials both nationally and internationally. She mentors students in Honors, Masters, and PhD programs, with current projects focusing on COVID-19 cognitive and mental health, Multi-Modal MRI-based imaging in HIV, cognitive change methodology development, and the interplay of immune and cardiovascular factors in HIV-related brain dysfunction. Her research is supported by collaborations across multiple continents and institutions.