— Perth Clinical Psychologist to study at Yale University —
Curtin University alumna and Perth Clinical Psychologist, Dr Gayle Maloney has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to study at Yale University by the Australian-American Fulbright Commission.
Dr Maloney was awarded a 2015 Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarship to undertake research into Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) at the Yale OCD Research Clinic in the US from July to November this year.
The Australian-American Fulbright Commission supports and encourages academic excellence, innovation and creativity through its scholarship program. Each year, approximately 25 Australians and 20 Americans are awarded a Fulbright Scholarship.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the Fulbright Program is the largest and one of the most prestigious educational scholarship programs in the world.
“The program is aimed at promoting mutual understanding through education exchange, and Gayle will be able to combine her clinical experience with OCD sufferers with the research expertise at Yale. This collaboration between Australia and the US is significant as it will help to further OCD research and enable new adjunct treatments to be developed,” Professor Terry said.
“We are delighted that a Curtin alumna is just one of 25 Australians awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, and we wish Gayle all the very best for her time at Yale.”
Dr Maloney has a Master of Psychology and a PhD in Psychology from Curtin, and has worked as a Clinical Psychologist for 15 years since graduating with her master degree. She was the recipient of an Australian Postgraduate Award to complete her PhD during 2007-2011.
She is the founder and principal Clinical Psychologist at the Psychological Wellness Centre in Perth.
Dr Maloney said she felt very privileged to receive a Fulbright Scholarship as she will have the opportunity to collaborate on a research program at one of the world’s leading OCD clinics.
“The Yale OCD Research Clinic has a 25-year history of ground-breaking advances in the understanding and treatment of OCD, so I am delighted to have an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work there,” Dr Maloney said.
“On my return, my aim is to disseminate the findings of my scholarship to the sufferers of OCD and their families by establishing an OCD and anxiety private clinic here in Perth.”
Curtin was the sponsor of this year’s Fulbright presentation dinner, which took place in Perth last night, Thursday 19 February, at the Hyatt Regency.
The Fulbright program was established in Australia in 1949 through a binational treaty between the Australian and US Governments. Recipients are chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential, and to-date the program has supported almost 4,800 scholarships.
Notes to Editor:
- Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarships are open to researchers who have completed their PhD in the past two to three years, to undertake postdoctoral research in the US. This scholarship supports a 3-10 month program. Researchers undergo a rigorous selection process.
- Further information on the Fulbright scholarships: http://www.fulbright.com.au/scholars/2015-australian-scholars
