The Brightwater Research Centre is dedicated to working collaboratively with the public and internal and external partners to define a problem, to build research capacity within the organisation, and to undertake quality research studies.
Manager, Brightwater Research Centre
Dayna, an emerging researcher, is passionate about advancing evidence-based health practices and policies which make a difference. Her fervour lies in collaborating with decisions makers to ensure programs are not only effective but also equitable, maximising benefits for their clients within budgetary constraints.
In her role as the Manager of the Brightwater Research Centre, Dayna spearheads a multidisciplinary team of researchers conducting impactful research. This ensures that Brightwater’s practices are firmly grounded in evidence, ultimately making a positive difference to the lives of staff, clients and the broader community.
Prior to joining Brightwater Care Group, Dayna’s research primarily focused on optimising and personalising screening interventions to prevent colorectal cancer. Her doctoral thesis, completed at Erasmus University Medical Centre in the Netherlands evaluated the harms and benefits of colorectal cancer screening programs. This research aimed to improve their overall effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, addressing both the general population and specific high risk population groups.
Clinical Psychologist
Robyn graduated from Murdoch University with a Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical) in 2003.
Since Robyn has worked in government and non-government agencies providing psychotherapeutic treatment for children, youth and families.
At Brightwater, Robyn has the opportunity to use her experience of working with children in distress and her curiosity about what helps families thrive, within a study that aims to develop support for children when a parent has an acquired brain injury or younger onset dementia.
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor of Communications in Journalism & Public Relations. Rebecca has worked as an occupational therapist in the aged care and the NDIS/community sectors, and as an assessor and interventionist on paediatric studies within a tertiary hospital.
Rebecca has a particular interest in the implementation of research into evidence-based best practice. At Brightwater Research Centre, Rebecca has worked to determine and implement best-practice outcome measures for use in residential aged care to measure health, wellbeing and quality of life; and contributed to studies exploring the use of nurse practitioners and pharmacists to simplify medication in residential aged care, and to ensuring the optimisation of Brightwater’s clinical data.
Rebecca is now the Clinical Trials Coordinator on the EARLI study, using a strengths-based intervention to increase rates of advance care planning in the community. She is passionate about achieving the best outcomes and quality of life possible for aged care clients at Brightwater.
Lead Therapist
Naomi holds a Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology) with Honours from Curtin University. Since graduating, Naomi has worked in a number of roles in the disability and aged care sector, providing services to adults living with communication or swallowing impairment.
Naomi is most passionate about improving communication for older people living with dementia. She is the Lead Therapist on the SenseCog Care Australia project, a collaboration between a number of research partners, including Brightwater Care Group, University of Queensland, and Murdoch University. SenseCog Care Australia aims to provide hearing and vision support to improve communication and quality of life for people living with dementia in residential aged care facilities.
