Dr Milena Gandy is a clinical psychologist and Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychological Sciences. Dr Gandy’s research focuses on improving the mental health and psychological care of people living with neurological disorders.   

Dr Gandy was born in Australia and grew up in the Sutherland Shire. She moved to Ireland with her family when she was 14, completing high school there and attending university in Dublin. Returning to Australia to complete her postgraduate degree at the University of Sydney, she graduated in 2013 with a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and PhD. 

It was then that she joined Macquarie as a postdoctoral researcher and clinician on clinical trials of internet-delivered psychological treatments developed at the eCentreClinic. 

She was subsequently awarded a Macquarie University Research Fellowship (MQRF) to extend this work to neurological disorders, which she completed in 2021.

She is currently supported by a Postdoctoral Fellowship from MS Australia. 

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1. Something you’d like staff to know about

At Macquarie I have developed an internet-delivered psychological treatment program to manage mental health and functional difficulties in adults with neurological disorders. 

I am excited about the findings of a recent clinical trial of this Wellbeing Neuro Course, published in Psychological Medicine, which showed the treatment was highly acceptable and resulted in significant improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety and disability.  

I am currently running clinical trials of the Wellbeing Neuro Course for people with Multiple Sclerosis, supported by MS Australia. 

Later this year I hope to start another trial of the course for adults with epilepsy, supported by a MRFF grant. 

2. Something you feel proud of

I am proud to be the co-chair a new Integrated Mental Health Care Pathways Task Force with the International League Against Epilepsy.  

In this role I get to work with an amazing multidisciplinary team of international experts on projects to improve mental health care for people with seizure disorders. 

3. A person you admire at Macquarie, and why

I really admire Professor Amanda Barnier. Not only is she incredibly intelligent and academically successful, but she is also kind and passionate about mentoring and supporting emerging researchers. 

4. What you need to do your best work 

Decent chunks of dedicated undisturbed time (one can wish!) with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea.  

5. Something you’ve read recently that has had an impact on you

Following a recommendation during a Franklin Women in Science talk, I borrowed the book Atomic Habits by James Clear.  

The concept of viewing habits as “compound interest of self-improvement” was helpful. I also thought the storytelling and advice were laid out in an engaging way. 

 6. A favourite photo from your camera roll

I have two favourite photos.  

I took this photo last year at the start of the Vivid Festival outside the MCA in Sydney. 

The picture is of my youngest son sitting on my husband’s shoulders. I managed to capture the awe on my son’s face when the Opera House lit up for the for the first time. We had such a lovely night walking around and it made me remember what a great city we live in.  

This is a picture of my son in his cute, oversized dressing grown looking out on the back of my in-laws’ place in the Blue Mountains. Our family loves the bush and native gardens. It’s lovely to wake up there in the crisp weather and take in the beauty and sounds of the bush.  

 7. Your definition of success

 Spending your time in a way that is aligned with your values and being satisfied with your life and what you have achieved.   

 8. Where you live and what you like about living there 

I live on the leafy lower north shore of Sydney. I love the community where I live as it’s very family friendly and has excellent walkability.  

I really value living somewhere I can walk (and don’t need the car) to go to the shops, gym, school etcetera. I fully support the 15-minute city movement! 

 9. A personal quality you value in others

Kindness. 

 10. Something you’re trying to do differently in 2023 

Think and plan more like a senior researcher rather than a junior researcher. You spend a while as an early career researcher so it can be tricky to shift gears into the longer-term mindset of a mid-career researcher.