Sylvia Lin

Hello! My name is Sylvia (林楚).

 

I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Deakin University and Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI). I work with Professor Tim Silk and Dr Nandi Vijayakumar on the ENIGMA Puberty Working Group. The ENIGMA Puberty is a global initiative that brings together research groups across the world to share data and advance our understanding of structural and functional brain changes associated with puberty. At MCRI, I manage the Connected Minds Study, which examines the relationship between social media use and adolescent development.

 

I completed my PhD at the University of Melbourne under the supervision of Professor Sarah Whittle, Dr Christiane Kehoe, and Dr Elena Pozzi. My PhD focused on understanding the impact of parenting on brain development and mental health in early adolescence. We conducted a world-first randomised controlled trial and showed that supportive parenting can promote healthy brain function. This work provides insight into neural mechanisms underpinning parenting interventions and their potential to improve youth mental health.

 

I am passionate about engaging young people, teachers, parents, clinicians, and policymakers in youth mental health research. Together, we can create a world where all young people can thrive in their unique ways.