Ms Lauren Ursich, BBiomed (Hons)

Lauren is a third-year PhD candidate at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, working within the Hormones and Behaviour Group under the supervision of Dr Leigh Walker. Her research investigates sex differences in the neurobiological underpinnings of alcohol use disorder. Drawing on expertise across behavioural neuroscience, bioinformatics, and molecular biology, Lauren has built a strong track record of publications and presentations at national and international conferences. Lauren is an active champion for the integration of sex- and gender-based analysis in research. She was selected to attend the Canadian Summer Institute in Sex and Gender+ Science in Newfoundland, Canada, and contributes to national efforts through her ongoing involvement with the AAMRI Sex and Gender portfolio, the Centre for Sex and Gender Equity in Health and Medicine (CSGEHM) preclinical working group, the evaluation of educational resources on sex and gender in research with Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), and sits on the Sexual Health Advocates for Reproductive Equity (SHARE) Research Advisory Board. Her contributions have been recognised by several prestigious awards, including the CSGEHM Sex and Gender+ Science Travel Award, Harold Mitchell Foundation Postgraduate Fellowship, and Pinnacle Foundation Scholarship, awarded to academically outstanding LGBTQIA+ emerging leaders.