Biography

Gemma is an NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow in the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology (University of Adelaide), Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Microbiology and Immunology (University of Adelaide), a Masters degree in Oncology (University of Cambridge), a Diploma in Languages in Japanese (University of Adelaide), a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (University of Adelaide), a Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences Honours degree in Psychology (Flinders University) and a PhD in Clinical Psychology (Flinders University). Her research career in both Medical Science and Psychology has seen her study and work in Australia, Japan and the UK. 

Gemma was awarded a PhD from Flinders University in Adelaide in 2017 which investigated the psychological predictors and outcomes of female genital cosmetic surgery. She worked as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate and Academic at Curtin University in Perth in 2016-2017 and expanded her research to include male genital cosmetic procedures. She began her NHMRC Early Career Research Fellowship at the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) at Monash University in 2018 which focuses on the factors leading to body image concerns and novel therapeutic interventions using digital technologies to address these concerns. She leads the Body Image Research Group at MAPrc.   

Gemma's research has received extensive coverage on mainstream media and she makes regular appearances on television. She was named one of ABC Radio National's Top 5 Under 40 Scientists in 2017 and also was invited to deliver at TEDx talk in Brisbane in 2017. Most recently, she was named a Young Tall Poppy Award winner for Victoria in 2018. She has also served as a regular co-host on Triple R's Radiotherapy program since 2018.  

Gemma is also a clinical psychologist and has had clinical experience in the public and private sectors in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne. She has her own private practice and particular areas of clinical interest are body image concerns, eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder. She serves on the Australian Psychological Society’s National Clinical College Committee as the Early Career Representative.  

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