Chelsea Hennessy | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Chelsea is a PhD candidate in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience at UniSC Thompson Institute.   

Within the Healthy Brain Ageing research team, her work integrates behavioural neuroscience and neuroimaging methods to explore factors that support flexible decision-making and habit formation and change during ageing. Chelsea’s research contributes to a growing understanding of healthy brain ageing and the factors that support positive behavioural outcomes in older adulthood to help develop strategies that promote health, independence, and wellbeing across the adult lifespan.

Alongside her research, Chelsea teaches within the Thompson Institute’s postgraduate Mental Health and Neuroscience program. Drawing on her experience as an active researcher, she supports students in developing their understanding of contemporary neuroscience and mental health research across topics including healthy brain ageing, neuroimaging advances in mental health, lifestyle factors and mental health, youth mental health and neurobiology, and understanding and preventing suicide.

Prior to commencing her PhD, Chelsea completed a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)/Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) with QUT in 2022 and her Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) with UniSC in 2023.