Our Research Team
We are a team of clinical neuropsychologists, researchers, and students
- check out our bios below-
The MaXCCEL team are committed to maximising cognition and everyday function for all individuals. Our current research focuses on two main cohorts - older adults and people with brain tumours. We work on developing and implementing interventions to optimise cognitive, emotional, and social wellbeing in these groups. Our team is particularly focused on implementation to translate research into clinical practice.
We strive to provide our participants with the best possible care, by using evidence-based practice and innovative research designs.
The Team
Our fantastic team, and their socials, are below:
Associate Professor
Kerryn Pike
Lab Director
Associate Professor Kerryn Pike (DPsych (Clin Neuro), MAPS, FCCN) leads the MaxCCEL lab group. She is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Associate Professor in the School of Applied Psychology and Centre for Mental Health at Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia (see here). She also holds an adjunct position at La Trobe University and works clinically in private practice. Dr Pike's research focuses on two broad strands of clinically relevant research: a) Neuropsychological and biomarker characterisation of subtle or mild cognitive impairment; and b) Interventions to improve cognition and mitigate any impacts in everyday life. She has extensive experience in understanding and managing risk factors for cognitive decline in older age, and in getting the best out of your thinking and memory – at any age. She is one of the founders of the LaTCH memory management group program, designed to improve the everyday memory of older adults, including those with mild cognitive impairment. This has recently been adapted for brain tumour survivors, with a randomised controlled trial currently underway. Dr Pike is particularly interested in translating evidence-based neuropsychological interventions into clinical practice and chairs the Australian Dementia Network (ADNET) Cognitive Interventions Working Party, as well as co-chairs the International Neuropsychological Society (INS)’s Special Interest Group on Neuropsychological Interventions.
Dr Sian Virtue-Griffiths
Research Coordinator
Sian Virtue-Griffiths is a Clinical Neuropsychology registrar and researcher who earned her Doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology from Monash University. Her research examined the neurobiological mechanisms underlying working memory in ageing, aiming to shed light on the declines that occur to memory with age. Sian is committed to improving the lives of individuals facing cognitive challenges, with a particular interest for improving the everyday lives of brain tumour survivors, a population often adapting to cognitive change due to the complex interplay between the tumour, treatment, and the emotional impact of diagnosis.
Ellie Piggott
Research Assistant
Dr Anna Carmichael
Senior Research Assistant
Anna Carmichael is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and member of the Australia Psychological Society. Anna completed her doctoral studies at Monash University and currently works as a neuropsychologist in the public health system in regional Northern NSW. Anna’s research has aimed to better understand memory in neurodegenerative disorders and in healthy ageing. Anna is passionate about rural/regional healthcare and improving the quality of services provided to people living outside of metropolitan areas. For MaxCCEL, Anna is a Senior Research assistant working on the pilot implementation study of cognitive interventions through memory clinics with ADNET.
Ellie Piggott is a Research Assistant at the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. She provides integral research and administrative support to the BRAINS LaTCH team. Ellie graduated from a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of South Australia in 2013. Since this time, she has contributed to a number of research projects across a wide range of disciplines including sleep science, cognitive psychology, spatial epidemiology, Aboriginal health, and criminal justice. Ellie is currently completing a doctorate of philosophy (PhD) at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University.
Sam Humphrey
PhD Candidate
Sam is a PhD candidate in the MaxCCEL lab. His PhD research focuses on cognitive,
emotional, and functional outcomes following different treatments for acute ischaemic stroke,
including endovascular clot retrieval, intravenous thrombolysis, and conservative management. His research also explores the lived experience and unmet needs of acute ischemic stroke patients. Additionally, Sam works as a Clinical Neuropsychologist in the
public health sector at Monash Health and The Royal Melbourne Hospital along with private
appointments at Eastern Neuropsychology and Frankston Neurology.
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Lily Li
PhD Candidate
Lily is a PhD candidate in the MaxCCEL lab. Her PhD research is focused on cognitive and psychological functioning in older adults with Type 1 diabetes. Her data collection with this patient population is currently ongoing at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Lily is a registered psychologist, completing her specialisation in clinical neuropsychology, and working in private practice. She has published research investigating the association of diabetes mellitus with an increased risk of dementia. Lily is also a cognitive assessor on the MaxCCEL team conducting assessments of brain tumour survivors for the LaTCH RCT.
​Marija Petrovic
Honours Student
Marija Petrovic is an Honours student at Griffith University in the MaxCCEL lab. Her honours research focuses on the utility of memory interventions for older adults with subjective memory decline. Marija is analysing longitudinal data regarding the long-term effects of face-name training on memory strategy use. Through this research Marija will gain information to inform and better target interventions in the aging context.
Shelley Mekler
Honours Student
Shelley is an honours student at the MaxCCEL lab. Shelley's research delves into the intricate world of individuals with primary brain tumours. Her work involves an exploration of how cognition evolves along their journey, shedding light on the profound impact these changes have on their everyday lives. Through her investigation, Shelley strives to enhance our comprehension of cognitive changes, fostering a deeper awareness of the challenges faced, and create better support programmes.
Shirly Sareyka
Honours Student
Shirly Sareyka is an Honours student (Griffith University) in the MaxCCEL lab. Their honours research focuses on older adults’ awareness, interest, and preferences for cognitive interventions. She is using both quantitative and qualitative methods in her investigations. Shirly's research has exciting implications for better targeting cognitive interventions for older adults.Future areas of interests include working with older adults, neuropsychology, and clinical psychology.
Georgia Chewter
Research Assistant
Georgia is currently in the final year of her Master of Clinical Psychology at Griffith University. At the MaxCCEL lab, Georgia is one of our research assistants conducting cognitive assessment for our telehealth LaTCH for brain tumour study. Clinically, she has a particular interest in CBT and ACT and is interested in working with both adults and children. Georgia has a passion for the ways in which psychological approaches can make a difference for the mood and outlook of patients and clients.
Pete is one of our research assistants conducting cognitive assessments for our telehealth LaTCH for brain tumour study. He is a provisional psychologist studying his Master of Clinical Psychology at Griffith University. As well as his involvement in this project, he works in a community-based clinic, seeing clients across the lifespan and working from a schema therapy perspective. As a primary school teacher, he has an interest in child and youth mental health and aspires to work as a school psychologist in the future.
Abby Hunter
Research Assistant
As part of the MaxCCEL team, Abby is one of our research assistants involved in conducting cognitive assessments for our telehealth LaTCH in people with brain tumour study. She is currently in her final year of her Master of Clinical Psychology at Griffith University. Abby enjoys working with people across the lifespan and has a particular interest in helping individuals who experience anxiety disorders.
Pete Jeffree
Research Assistant
Dr Mary Castellani
LaTCH Facilitator
Dr Marina Cavuoto
LaTCH Facilitator
Dr Mary Castellani is a Clinical Neuropsychologist with a Doctorate from La Trobe University. She is one of the facilitators of our telehealth LaTCH program for people with brain tumours. Mary’s background is in neuropsychological assessment and cognitive rehabilitation particularly in older adults, and those with attentional difficulties (e.g., ADHD). She has worked as a psychologist in research and clinical settings. She is currently in private practice supporting mental health and wellbeing of adults, and helping individuals managing cognitive difficulties. Mary also facilitates group interventions for ADHD and Trauma Recovery at a large mental health hospital in Melbourne.
Dr Marina Cavuouto is a Clinical Neuropsychologist with a PhD from La Trobe University. She is one of the facilitators of our telehealth LaTCH program for people with brain tumours. She is also a Senior Research Fellow at the National Ageing Research Institute, and an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University. Her research interests include risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia, including social determinants of health, sleep, and gene-sleep interactions; understanding social, cultural, and psychological factors that impact on cognitive assessment in older people; and elder abuse response and prevention.