Core expertise
Body Image
Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Cosmetic Procedures
Psychological Interventions and Online Therapies (eTherapies)
Artificial Intelligence
Biography
Gemma established and has led the Body Image and Eating Disorders Research Program since 2018. She became a Professor (Level E) in 2024 at another university, and is an NHMRC Emerging Leadership 2 Fellow (2023-2028) and a former NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow (2018-2022).
She holds a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology (University of Adelaide), Bachelor of Science honours degree in microbiology and immunology (University of Adelaide), a master’s degree in oncology (University of Cambridge), a diploma of languages in Japanese (University of Adelaide), a graduate diploma in psychology (University of Adelaide), a Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences honours degree in psychology (Flinders University) and a PhD in clinical psychology (Flinders University). Her research career in both medical science and mental health has seen her study and work in Australia, Japan and the UK.
Gemma and the program she heads investigate the factors leading to body image concerns, eating and weight disorders (across the age and gender spectrum). and novel therapeutic interventions to address these concerns.
In 2023-24, she led the development of a world-first free online educational resource to explain the intersection of eating disorders and menopause. She has a keen interest in intersection of eating disorders and women’s health, particularly pregnancy and perimenopause.
Gemma is the founding director of the Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders (CoRe-ED) charity, which brings together all key voices in eating disorder research on a global scale to improve eating disorder research and care.
