Suzanne Currie

Neurological Physiotherapy, La Trobe University.

Suzanne Currie is a neurological physiotherapist with a background working clinically in brain injury rehabilitation in both the UK and Australia. In addition to her clinical work, Suzanne is a PhD candidate at La Trobe University and Summer Foundation, supervised by Professor Jacinta Douglas, Dr Kate D’Cruz and Dr Di Winkler. This research program aims to conceptualise the experiences of community and social participation during inpatient rehabilitation and the transition to community living. Suzanne has a special interest in supporting long term outcomes for people following severe brain injury, where people are empowered to engage in the community, participating in activities that bring them joy and fulfilment, alongside people who are meaningful to them.

Stemming from a need identified in clinical practice, Suzanne is also part of the leadership team which founded a National Community of Practice, which facilitates information sharing and education for health professionals working to support people in Disorders of Consciousness and their families.

Please contact Suzanne via email at Suzanne.currie@summerfoundation.org.au

Casey Gilbert

Clinical Neuropsychology, Monash University.

Casey is a PhD candidate in Clinical Neuropsychology at Monash University, supervised by Dr Elise Facer-Childs, A/Prof Adam Mackay, Dr Spencer Roberts (Deakin University), and Dr Luis Mascaro. Her research explores the relationship between sleep and sports-related concussion. Within this work, she has a strong interest in ensuring that female athletes and female-dominated sports are represented in sports concussion research. Alongside her research, Casey is pursuing a career as a clinical neuropsychologist and is currently enjoying working with patients with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. She is committed to providing accessible and approachable neuropsychological support that helps people with brain conditions, as well as their families and support networks, to better understand their condition and live in ways aligned with their values.

Claudia Sayers

Psychology, University of New England.

Claudia is currently completing her Honours in Psychology at the University of New England. Her research aims to enhance the accuracy and clinical utility of concussion assessment and management by establishing normative reference values for baseline neuropsychological performance in Australian Football League (AFL) players. Claudia has a strong interest in neuropsychology and intends to commence a Masters of Clinical Neuropsychology next year.

Alongside her studies, Claudia volunteers at Neuropsychology Melbourne to further develop her practical skills and knowledge of the broader field. She is passionate about working with individuals who have an intellectual disability and/or brain injury, supporting them to navigate barriers and achieve improved long-term life outcomes. Claudia is also deeply interested in health from a holistic perspective and strives to integrate physical, psychological and social domains to deliver well-rounded, evidence-based solutions that enhance quality of life.

Nayef Hammad

Clinical Neuropsychology, Macquarie University.

Nayef Hammad is a provisional psychologist currently undertaking a Master of Clinical Neuropsychology at Macquarie University. He is completing placement at the Brain Injury Unit at Westmead Hospital, developing expertise in neuropsychological assessment and multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

He completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology at Monash University, with research undertaken at the Computational Neuroscience Lab. His interests include brain-imaging, neuropsychological assessment and advancing care for culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

Nayef has held leadership roles across occupational, academic and community settings, including student representation and conference ambassadorship. As the Sydney Team Leader for ASSBI, he is committed to fostering student engagement and supporting initiatives that promote awareness, research, and care for individuals living with brain impairment.

Hayley Eskander

Applied Science (Speech Pathology), University of Sydney.

Hayley is currently completing her fourth year of a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) (Honours) at the University of Sydney. Her honours research focuses on the co-design of an AI-enabled conversational agent to enhance student health professionals’ communication with people with acquired brain injury. She has also contributed to the development of an external conversational agent designed to support student health professionals’ participation in multidisciplinary team meetings for stroke patients. Through developing her research skills, Hayley has gained a keen interest in improving outcomes for people with brain injury and providing more accessible, high-quality evidence-based interventions.

Tanisha Joshi

Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience), The University of Sydney.

Tanisha is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Sydney. As a Neuroscience major, she has a deep interest in research surrounding brain disorders and mental health. Having assisted at the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney, the Dementia Research Centre at Macquarie University as well as the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Tanisha has developed a passion for translational research focused on rehabilitation, palliative care and improved quality of life for those suffering from brain impairment. She hopes to contribute towards fostering increased awareness and knowledge about the condition, while working to enhance research in the area in the near future.

Sania Nourbakhsh

Sania (she/they/he) is a second-year Master of Speech Language Therapy Practice student and research assistant at Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland. They enjoy learning about acquired communication disorders, and are interested in providing therapy to people with cognitive communication disorders and aphasia. As a research assistant, they work for the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research, interviewing kaumātua (Māori elders) for Dr Makarena Dudley’s mate wareware (dementia) prevalence study.

Sania is equally passionate about neuro-affirming practice, and their Master’s research focuses on understanding the experiences of neurodivergent speech-language therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand. They represent students with lived experience of disability on the University of Auckland’s Disability Action Plan Reference Group, and they are the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association student representative for their programme. They also work as a communication support assistant in community paediatric settings across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and have contributed to research on tone and pitch recognition in infants as a summer research assistant for the Centre for Developmental Science.

Sahar Sheik Freed

Speech and Language Therapy, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.

Sahar is currently completing her Master of Speech and Language Therapy at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. She was drawn to the profession through a strong belief that communication underpins autonomy, identity, and meaningful participation in daily life especially for individuals living with brain conditions. Her academic journey is grounded in a commitment to equity, culturally responsive practice, and person-centred care.

Her current student research explores caregivers’ experiences of navigating multidisciplinary teams, examining how communication, clarity of professional roles, and coordination shape families’ experiences within health systems. Sahar is particularly interested in how collaborative practice can be strengthened to ensure individuals and their whānau feel informed, included, and empowered.

Through her role as an ASSBI Student Ambassador, Sahar is passionate about fostering interdisciplinary connection, promoting shared learning, and contributing to research and clinical conversations that support people living with brain conditions across the lifespan.

Luzanne Liversage

Jeremy Green

Psychology, University of Canberra.

Jeremy completed his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2025 at the University of Canberra and has now begun studying his Master of Neuroscience at the Australian National University. While studying his bachelors, Jeremy ran a business as an NDIS Support Provider for a vast array of people with different brain impairments and disorders which provided him day-to-day living contexts and passion for one day researching the brain and neurological disease. Through his role as a student ambassador team leader, Jeremy hopes to refine his science communication and leadership skills to further engage with the Canberra community on the importance of brain impairment research.

Salma Adam

Psychology, University of Canberra.

Salma is currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Canberra with a breadth major in Forensic and Legal Psychology. Her background in working with children with disabilities has exposed her to the challenges faced by people with brain conditions, fostering a strong desire to make a meaningful difference in their lives. Salma is particularly interested in understanding how individuals with brain conditions are represented in the legal system and hopes to one day work in the Australian legal system to advocate for and support those affected by brain conditions.

Xuyang Liu

Psychology, University of Canberra.

Xuyang is currently a first-year psychology student at the University of Canberra with a strong interest in understanding human behaviour, wellbeing, and social support systems. Through his professional background working in community services and housing support, he has developed insight into the complex challenges faced by vulnerable individuals, which has shaped his passion for psychology. Xuyang is particularly interested in how psychological knowledge can be applied in real-world settings to improve support services, promote mental health, and create more inclusive communities. He hopes to continue developing his academic and professional skills to contribute meaningfully to the social and psychological wellbeing of others.

Elise Callagher

Clinical Psychology, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.

Elise is a PhD candidate and trainee in the Clinical Psychology programme at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Her doctoral research focuses on cognitive recovery after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and psychological mechanisms that may perpetuate persistent cognitive difficulties. She is supervised by Dr. Josh Faulkner, Associate Professor Debbie Snell (University of Otago), and Professor Alice Theadom (Auckland University of Technology). Beyond her doctoral research, she has co-developed and evaluated a concussion psychoeducation tool– CLARITY – which is currently being used in mTBI rehabilitation services. Her research interests extend to psychological flexibility and wellbeing in organisational contexts. Elise has worked extensively as a care worker in community and residential settings. This work sparked her passion for neuropsychology and for supporting the wellbeing of individuals living with cognitive challenges and other disability She is committed to building a collaborative research community that connects academic knowledge with practical applications to improve outcomes for those affected by brain injuries.

Dom Drummond

Clinical Psychology & Masters in Forensics Psychology, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.

Dom is currently completing his Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology and has completed his Masters in Forensics Psychology, both at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. Dom is deeply invested in walking alongside and supporting people experiencing mental distress and supporting people with their brain health.

Throughout his experiences, Dom has supported people with neurodivergence and acquired brain injuries. He is passionate about multi-disciplinary research and clinical practice to support people recover from and live with conditions that affect their brain and prevent entrenchment in the justice system. He’s looking forward to working as a clinician in the child and adolescent mental health space.

Jessica Walsh

Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.

Jessica is a Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience student at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. She brings a background in case management and rehabilitation, with experience supporting individuals with a range of mental health conditions. Jessica is passionate about bridging the gap between research, neuropsychological assessment, and clinical practice, with a focus on improving rehabilitation outcomes for those experiencing mental health and neurological disorders. She has a particular interest in functional neurological disorders and is currently involved in research exploring the limitations of artificial intelligence in psychological science, with a theoretical focus on embodiment.

Elysia Vo

Bachelor of Psychology Psychological Science and Cognitive Science, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.

Elysia is completing a Bachelor of Psychology at Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, specialising in Psychological Science and Cognitive Science. Her academic interests focus on language development, the interface between artificial intelligence and psychology, and the influence of language‑related brain impairments on learning and cognitive growth. She is particularly passionate about understanding mental health within educational systems and promoting wellbeing and effective learning strategies through psychological insight.

With experience in the first‑response sector, Elysia has developed strong interpersonal, communication, and crisis‑management skills applicable to supporting individuals with cognitive and neurological challenges. This work has fostered her commitment to holistic, person‑centred care and deepened her interest in how psychology can be applied to improve outcomes in both clinical and educational contexts. She also contributes to the university’s Psychology Society and global initiatives connecting students and researchers across the hemispheres.

Karlee Norton

Master of Speech and Language, Charles Darwin University.

Karlee is currently completing her Masters of Speech and Language at Charles Darwin University. After serving in the Royal Australian Air Force, Karlee fell in love with Speech and Language Therapy when her children started displaying signs of delayed communication. It was through this channel that she began to understand and really appreciate how important intentional communication is and how it underpins and scaffolds growth. She has predominately worked with paediatric caseloads, however, recognizes and acknowledges that communication, regardless of how it is delivered, needs to be accessible for all individuals.

Karlee is passionate about communication, advocacy, health literacy and mental and physical wellbeing. She strives to ensure that all individuals can easily access appropriate therapy and services. Karlee has a keen interest in creating awareness for brain injury and associated disorders, communication and how this correlates for an individual.

Camryn Jones

Psychological Science & Criminology, University of Newcastle.

Camryn Jones is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science and Criminology at the University of Newcastle, with a strong interest in mental health care and research for older adults experiencing dementia.

She has experience working within mental health settings, supporting both inpatient and community-based teams, where she has developed strong communication, organisational, and patient centred skills. Camryn is passionate about advancing care and advocacy for individuals living with brain conditions, with a particular personal commitment to dementia and mental health research for older adults living with brain impairments. She plans to pursue Honours to further develop her research capabilities and contribute to evidence-based care in this field. As an ASSBI Student Ambassador, Camryn is dedicated to fostering awareness, engagement, and evidence-based practice among students.