معرفی
Professor Susan Thomas is a Professor and Dean of Research Integrity Development and Ethics at the University of Wollongong's Research and Sustainable Futures Division. She holds a concurrent appointment as an Associate Professor in Mental Health and Behavioural Science at the Graduate School of Medicine. With a BSc from the University of London and a PhD from the University of Wollongong, she is a practicing clinical psychologist (MAPS, FCCLP) with expertise in biological psychology, health practitioner wellbeing, and interdisciplinary rural health research.
Her academic career spans over 15 years at the University of Wollongong, including roles as Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor. She leads research initiatives addressing the interplay between physical and mental health, with a focus on biomarkers, stress, and innovative interventions. Notable accolades include the VC’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning (2011) and multiple recognition for peer review contributions.
Research interests include psychoneuroendocrinology, clinician wellbeing, and digital mental health applications. Dr. Thomas has supervised numerous PhD projects on topics like food addiction, human-animal interactions, and biomarkers in depression. Her work bridges laboratory science with applied healthcare solutions, emphasizing rural and global health equity. Current projects explore mHealth innovations in low-resource settings and the psychophysiological impacts of therapy dogs.
- Education:
- BSc, University of London (United Kingdom)
- PhD, University of Wollongong (Australia)
- Awards:
- Top Reviewer Award (Biological Psychology, 2009)
- Examiners’ Commendation for PhD Thesis (2010)
- VC’s Teaching Award (2011)
- Grants & Projects:
- Co-creating Shoalhaven Health Intervention (2023)
- Tuning in for Child Development (2022)
- Brain-Body Nexus in Depression (2021)
- Mobile Mental Health Apps in Ethiopia (2020)
- Lab/Teams: Directs the Mental Health Innovation Lab and collaborates with the Human-Animal Interaction Research Group.
