Dr Michelle Byrnes
Dr Michelle Byrnes is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the School of Psychology, Department of Human Communication, Curtin University; and a Research Fellow at the School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia (UWA).
Dr Byrnes' career began with a Bachelor of Science at UWA in Psychology, Physiology and Pharmacology. She completed her Honours and first PhD through the Department of Physiology, followed by two Graduate Diplomas - one in Science and one in Psychology. She is now undertaking a second doctorate - this time in Psychology (Clinical Program) and while enrolled in this capacity, Dr Byrnes has won two Woodside Neurotrauma PhD Excellence Awards, in 2005 and 2006.
While studying, Dr Byrnes was based for some years, initially as a Research Officer and then a Research Fellow, at the Brain Research Laboratory at the Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders (CNND). She gained extensive experience in the use of brain imaging techniques, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. With A/Professor Gary Thickbroom, she performed pre-neurosurgical assessments of motor and language brain activation in patients with brain tumours and epilepsy.
With research interests in neuroplasticity, neurorehabilitation and the incorporation of clinical psychological paradigms into clinical practice, Dr Byrnes carries out research with people who have neurological disorders affecting motor control and those with language dysfunction. She is currently involved in two NRP studies - the first looking at multidisciplinary biopsychosocial approaches to the treatment of pain in individuals following spinal cord injury. The second study evaluates the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program to improve an individual's ability to cope with issues such as anxiety, stress, depression and pain after neurotrauma.
Current NRP (Chief) Co-investigators:
Prof Stephan Schug, Patricia Ray, Dr Allyson Browne, Dr John Ker, Nicky Fortescue, Royal Perth Hospital
Dr Janet Beilby, Curtin University of Technology
Dr David Blacker, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
