Monica Cations

Dr. Monica Cations is a Senior Research Fellow at Flinders University, affiliated with the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work and the Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing. She is also a Full Member of the College of Medicine and Public Health and Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being.

Her primary research interests include dementia care, aged care, trauma-informed practices, LGBTQ+ health, and mental health outcomes in aging populations. She has conducted extensive studies on help-seeking behaviors for dementia diagnosis, cognitive decline mechanisms, and the psychological impacts of dementia on suicide risk.

• Research Interests: Dementia, Trauma, Aged Care, LGBTQ+ Health, Neurodegenerative Disorders, Gerontology
• Key Projects: Development of dementia diagnosis models, gut microbiome-cognitive decline links, and suicide prevention in dementia patients.

Dr. Cations has received prestigious awards, including the Helen Barrie National Prize (2022) and the Vice Chancellor's Early Career Award (2019). She collaborates internationally, with studies focusing on diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ communities and care leavers. Her work emphasizes ethical research practices, such as trauma-informed care and equitable healthcare access.

Her recent publications highlight innovative methodologies, such as metasynthesis and microbiome analysis, to address complex health challenges. She advocates for policy changes to improve service integration for young-onset dementia and marginalized groups.