Dr Erin Walsh
Areas of expertise
- Psychological Methodology, Design And Analysis 170110
Research interests
- Research methodology
- Healthy ageing
- Neurobiology-personality-environment interactions as determinants of wellbeing
- Temporal thought content
- Data visualization techniques
Biography
Erin Walsh is a post doctoral research fellow at the Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing?. Her PhD focused on the strengths and weaknesses of text messaging (SMS) as a tool for self-report psychological research. Alongside research, she works as a scientific illustrator, offering assistance withstimuli preparation, data visualization, and figure preparation for scholarly publication or engaging the general public with science.
Available student projects
Application of latent class analysis to longitudinal ageing data to identify individuals at risk of brain atrophy. Although there is inevitably some degree of age-associated changes in brain volume, abnormal brain atrophy is associated with adverse outcomes ranging from mild cognitive impairment through to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This research project will involve examination of some of the demographic, health, and lifestyle factors which may impact on brain atrophy. A focus will be placed on change over time, which will be explored using latent class analysis techniques. A strong statistical background, and experience (or willingness to learn) coding and use of the statistical program R is recommended.
Investigation of the shape of brain structures associated with schizophrenia. The corpus callosum is the main pathway for neurons connecting the left and right brain hemispheres. The shape of the corpus callosum reflects the number and health of connections between the hemispheres, so it can be used to investigate lateralized processes and disfunctions within the brain. Structural abnormalities have been noted in the corpus callosum of individuals with schizophrenia. In this project, students will design their own project around the application of cutting-edge shape analysis techniques to magnetic resonance images of human brains available from http://schizconnect.org/ . No background in neuroimaging is required.
Past student projects
Investigation of the impact of the caloric content of alcohol intake on brain ageing. Promoting healthy brain ageing is imperative to address the impact of cognitive decline on Australian families, community, and economy. A growing body of research has shown that alcohol consumption has both risk and protective effects on brain health. Alcohol has a high caloric density (7 calories/gram). High caloric intake across the whole diet is known to be deleterious to brain health. Yet, little is known about the specific contribution of calories obtained from alcohol on the brain. This research project will investigated how alcohol can impact on brain health.
Publications
- Walsh, E, Smith, E, Northey, J et al 2020, 'Towards an understanding of the physical activity-BDNF-cognition triumvirate: A review of associations and dosage', Ageing Research Reviews, vol. 60, pp. -.
- Walsh, E, Chung, Y, Cherbuin, N et al. 2020, 'Experts� perceptions on the use of visual analytics for complex mental healthcare planning: an exploratory study', BMC Medical Research Methodology, vol. 20, no. 110.
- Ambikairajah, A, Tabatabaei Jafari, H, Walsh, E et al. 2020, 'Longitudinal Changes in Fat Mass and the Hippocampus', Obesity, vol. 28, no. 7, pp. 1263-1269.
- Fraser, M, Walsh, E, Shaw, M et al. 2020, 'Longitudinal trajectories of hippocampal volume in middle to older age community dwelling individuals', Neurobiology of Aging, vol. 97, pp. 97-105.
- Beanland, V, Walsh, E & Pammer, K 2019, 'Undergraduate Students' Perceptions of and Engagement in Research Participation to Fulfill an Introductory Psychology Course Requirement', Teaching of Psychology, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 74-83.
- Walsh, E, Shaw, M, Sachdev, P et al 2019, 'The impact of type 2 diabetes and body mass index on cerebral structure is modulated by brain reserve', European Journal of Neurology, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 121-127.
- Walsh, E & Cherbuin, N 2019, 'Mapping the literature on nutritional interventions in cognitive health: A data-driven approach', Nutrients, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1-9.
- Tabatabaei Jafari, H, Shaw, M, Walsh, E et al. 2019, 'Cognitive/Functional Measures Predict Alzheimer's Disease, Dependent on Hippocampal Volume', Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, vol. Online, pp. 1-10pp.
- Chung, Y, Bagheri, N, Salinas-Perez, J et al 2019, 'Role of visual analytics in supporting mental healthcare systems research and policy: A systematic scoping review', International Journal of Information Management, vol. 50, no. 2020, pp. 17-27.
- Ambikairajah, A, Walsh, E, Tabatabaei Jafari, H et al. 2019, 'Fat mass changes during menopause: a metaanalysis', American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol. 221, no. 5, pp. 393-409.
- Cherbuin, N & Walsh, E 2019, 'Sugar in mind: Untangling a sweet and sour relationship beyond type 2 diabetes', Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, vol. 54, no. 2.
- Walsh, E, Shaw, M, Espinoza Oyarce, D et al 2019, 'Assumption-Free Assessment of Corpus Callosum Shape: Benchmarking and Application', Concepts in Magnetic Resonance Part A, pp. 1-10.
- Cherbuin, N, Walsh, E & Prina, A 2019, 'Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Risk of Dementia and Mortality in Lower to Middle Income Countries', Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vol. 70, pp. S63-S73.
- Walsh, E, Zhang, T & Cherbuin, N 2019, 'Of fractal and Fourier: A measure for local shape complexity for neurological applications', Journal of Neuroscience Methods, vol. 323, pp. 61-67.
- Tabatabaei Jafari, H, Shaw, M, Walsh, E et al. 2019, 'Regional brain atrophy predicts time to conversion to Alzheimer's disease, dependent on baseline volume', Neurobiology of Aging, vol. 83, pp. 86-94.
- Cherbuin, N, Walsh, E, Baune, B et al 2019, 'Oxidative stress, inflammation and risk of neurodegeneration in a population sample', European Journal of Neurology, vol. 26, no. 11, pp. 1347-1354.
- Walsh, E & Busby Grant, J 2018, 'Detecting temporal cognition in text: Comparison of judgements by self, expert and machine', Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 9, pp. 1-6.
- Walsh, E, Shaw, J & Cherbuin, N 2018, 'Trajectories of BMI change impact glucose and insulin metabolism', Nutrition Metabolim and Cardiovascular Diseases, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 243-251pp.
- Zhang, T, Shaw, M, Walsh, E et al 2018, 'Higher fasting plasma glucose is associated with smaller striatal volume and poorer fine motor skills in a longitudinal cohort', Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, vol. 278, pp. 1-6pp.
- Tabatabaei Jafari, H, Walsh, E, Shaw, M et al. 2018, 'A simple and clinically relevant combination of neuroimaging and functional indexes for the identification of those at highest risk of Alzheimer's disease', Neurobiology of Aging, vol. 69, pp. 102-110.
- Walsh, E, Burns, R, Abhayaratna, W et al 2018, 'Physical Activity and Blood Glucose Effects on Weight Gain Over 12 Years in Middle-Aged Adults', Journal of Obesity and Chronic Diseases, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 20-25.
- Walsh, E, Shou, Y, Han, J et al 2018, 'Development and Validation of a Chinese Language Version of the Ruminative Thought Styles Questionnaire', Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 604-615pp.
- Tabatabaei Jafari, H, Walsh, E, Shaw, M et al. 2017, 'The cerebellum shrinks faster than normal ageing in Alzheimer's disease but not in mild cognitive impairment', Human Brain Mapping, vol. 38, no. 6, pp. 3141-3150.
- Walsh, E, Jacka, F, Butterworth, P et al 2017, 'The association between Western and Prudent dietary patterns and fasting blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes and normal glucose metabolism in older Australian adults', Heliyon, vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 1-17pp.
- Walsh, E, Jacka, F, Butterworth, P et al 2017, 'The association between Western and Prudent dietary patterns and fasting blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes and normal glucose metabolism in older Australian adults', Heliyon, vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 1-17pp.
- Walsh, E, Shaw, M, Sachdev, P et al 2017, 'Brain atrophy in ageing: Estimating effects of blood glucose levels vs. other type 2 diabetes effects', Diabetes and Metabolism, vol. -, no. -, pp. 1-4pp.
- Cherbuin, N, Shaw, M, Walsh, E et al 2017, 'Validated Alzheimer's Disease Risk Index (ANU-ADRI) is associated with smaller volumes in the default mode network in the early 60s', Brain Imaging and Behavior, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 65-74.
- Walsh, E & Brinker, J 2016, 'Short and Sweet? Length and Informative Content of Open-Ended Responses Using SMS as a Research Mode', Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 87-100.
- Walsh, E & Brinker, J 2016, 'Should participants be given a mobile phone, or use their own? Effects of novelty vs utility', Telematics and Informatics, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 25-33.
- Walsh, E & Brinker, J 2016, 'Short and Sweet? Length and Informative Content of Open-Ended Responses Using SMS as a Research Mode', Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 87-100.
- Busby Grant, J & Walsh, E 2016, 'Exploring the Use of Experience Sampling to Assess Episodic Thought', Applied Cognitive Psychology, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 472-478.
- Walsh, E & Brinker, J 2016, 'Is SMS APPropriate? Comparative properties of SMS and apps for repeated measures data collection', European Journal of Psychological Assessment, pp. 7pp.
- Walsh, E & Brinker, J 2015, 'Delay between recruitment and participation impacts on preinclusion attrition', Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 635-640.
- Walsh, E & Brinker, J 2015, 'Temporal considerations for self-report research using Short Message Service', Journal of media psychology, vol. Online, pp. (7 pp).
- Grant, W & Walsh, E 2015, 'Social evidence of a changing climate:Google Ngram data points to early climate change impact on human society', Weather, vol. 70, no. 7, pp. 195-197.
- Longden, E, Davis, P, Billington, J et al 2015, 'Shared reading: Assessing the intrinsic value of a literature-based health intervention', Medical Humanities, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 113-120.
- Walsh, E, Arundell, M & Brinker, J 2014, 'SMS4Deaf - SMS as a mode for psychology research with the Deaf', Journal of Communication Disorders, Deaf Studies & Hearing Aids, vol. 2, no. 3, p. 1000115.
- Walsh, E & Brinker, J 2014, 'Assumptions of age and mobile handset type', Gerontechnology, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 169-173.
- Walsh, E & Brinker, J 2012, 'Evaluation of a short message service diary methodology in a nonclinical, naturalistic setting', Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking, vol. 15, no. 11, pp. 615-618.
