I am a doctoral candidate in psychology at the University of Sydney, investigating mindfulness-based analgesia. My research aims to reduce the burden of chronic pain conditions by harnessing the cognitive mechanisms underlying mindfulness-mediated analgesia and other techniques for therapeutic use, My specific approach involves isolating the cognitive mechanisms underlying direct and indirect (contextual) factors (such as placebo effects) and understanding how these mechanisms interact. My professional background includes neuroscience, computer science, contemplative studies and science communication. I have experience in both basic and clinical neuroscience research with a successful grant and publication record. I have worked as a science journalist both in the mass media (CBC) and as a freelance writer. I have also worked as a research grant writer for several Australian universities, specializing in NHMRC, ARC and philanthropic funding applications and government tendering.