Projects
Trans Pathways 2
Trans Pathways is set to receive an update ahead of the ten-year anniversary of the release of this seminal study from The Kids Research Institute Australia.
December 2025
Complex Experiences of Gender Affirmation
This project explores the mental health and support needs of Australians with complex experiences of gender-affirmation.
The impact of top surgery: a longitudinal cohort study of dysphoria, mental health, and quality of life of trans Australians following top surgery
This project aims to investigate the long-term impacts of top surgery – a term encompassing both chest reconstructive surgery and breast augmentation – on gender dysphoria, mental health, well-being and quality of life in trans and gender diverse individuals.
Published research
Twenty-five is not a neurobiologically determined age of maturity for gender-affirming medical decision-making
Among the increasing threats to the healthcare of transgender and gender-diverse people globally, are efforts to deny gender-affirming medical care to people under age 25 typically justified by stating that the human brain is not developed until the mid-to-late 20's. Thus, this line of reasoning states young adults are not sufficiently mature to be responsible for autonomous healthcare decision-making— at least in regard to gender-affirming care.
Characterising symptomatic substates in individuals on the psychosis continuum: a hidden Markov modelling approach
To improve early intervention and personalise treatment for individuals early on the psychosis continuum, a greater understanding of symptom dynamics is required. We address this by identifying and evaluating the movement between empirically derived attenuated psychotic symptomatic substates-clusters of symptoms that occur within individuals over time.
Mental health assessment of transgender youth - Should standardised psychological measures be scored by norms of birth-registered sex?
Standardised psychometric measures are used in mental health care and research settings to identify risk, assist diagnosis, and assess symptom severity. Standardised scoring of these measures involves transforming respondents' raw scores using binary sex norms. However, scoring manuals offer no guidance as to appropriate scoring methods for trans and non-binary respondents.
Development and temporal validation of a clinical prediction model of transition to psychosis in individuals at ultra-high risk in the UHR 1000+ cohort
The concept of ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR) has been at the forefront of psychiatric research for several decades, with the ultimate goal of preventing the onset of psychotic disorder in high-risk individuals. Orygen (Melbourne, Australia) has led a range of observational and intervention studies in this clinical population.
A critical discussion of pediatric gender measures to clarify the utility and purpose of “measuring” gender
Pediatric gender clinics and researchers commonly use scales to measure different dimensions of gender (e.g. identity, dysphoria, satisfaction). There has been little investigation into the relevance and consumer acceptability of these scales within contemporary understandings and experiences of gender.
Retrospective Examination of Peripubertal Return for Patients of Western Australia's Gender Diversity Service
Children far in advance of pubertal development may be deferred from further assessment for gender-affirming medical treatment until nearer puberty. It is vital that returning peripubertal patients are seen promptly to ensure time-sensitive assessment and provision of puberty suppression treatment where appropriate.
Reidentification with Birth-Registered Sex in a Western Australian Pediatric Gender Clinic Cohort
Some young people who identify as transgender and seek gender-affirming medical care subsequently reidentify with their sex registered at birth. Evidence regarding the frequency and characteristics of this experience is lacking.
Combining Clinical With Cognitive or Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data for Predicting Transition to Psychosis in Ultra High-Risk Patients: Data From the PACE 400 Cohort
Multimodal modeling that combines biological and clinical data shows promise in predicting transition to psychosis in individuals who are at ultra-high risk. Individuals who transition to psychosis are known to have deficits at baseline in cognitive function and reductions in gray matter volume in multiple brain regions identified by magnetic resonance imaging.