Lyra Egan | Chronic disease | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Ms. Lyra Egan | Chronic disease  | Best Researcher Award 

PhD Candidate and Research Assistant , The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney , Australia

Lyra Egan is a dedicated PhD Candidate and Research Assistant at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney. She is committed to preventing poor diet, alcohol use, tobacco smoking, and vaping among adolescents from low socioeconomic and remote areas using eHealth interventions. With a focus on international and national impact, Lyra’s work includes adapting existing programs to diverse contexts, such as her recent focus on Colombian adolescents. Her goal is to influence policy and inspire sustainable interventions for those most at risk.

Profile

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

  1. Innovative Research Focus: Lyra Egan’s research is at the forefront of addressing critical public health issues among adolescents from low socioeconomic and remote areas. Her focus on preventing poor diet, alcohol use, tobacco smoking, and vaping through eHealth interventions is both relevant and timely. This aligns well with global health priorities and demonstrates a commitment to reducing health disparities.
  2. Diverse and International Scope: Her work includes significant international elements, such as adapting interventions for adolescents in Bogotá, Colombia, and running pilot studies in Australia. This international perspective enhances the impact and applicability of her research.
  3. Substantial Funding and Grants: Lyra has secured notable grants and funding, including a substantial Paul Ramsay Foundation PhD Scholarship and multiple project grants, demonstrating the confidence of funding bodies in her research capabilities and potential.
  4. Extensive Publication Record: Her publication record includes several high-quality journal articles, systematic reviews, and research reports. The breadth of her publications and their relevance to her research focus highlight her contributions to the field and her commitment to disseminating knowledge.
  5. Active Conference Participation: Lyra has actively participated in conferences, with numerous oral presentations and posters. This not only shows her engagement with the academic community but also her ability to communicate complex research effectively.
  6. Leadership and Collaboration: Her roles in various projects, including as a Chief Investigator and Associate Investigator, illustrate her leadership and collaborative skills. These roles underscore her ability to manage and contribute to large-scale research initiatives.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Impact and Policy Influence: While Lyra’s research has the potential to influence policy, it would benefit from a more explicit strategy for translating findings into actionable policy recommendations. Strengthening connections with policymakers and implementing frameworks for policy impact could enhance the overall reach and effectiveness of her work.
  2. Additional Interdisciplinary Collaboration: While Lyra’s research is multidisciplinary, expanding collaboration beyond mental health and substance use to include fields like behavioral economics or technology could enrich her interventions and broaden their applicability.
  3. Increased Focus on Long-Term Outcomes: Many of Lyra’s studies involve pilot programs and initial implementations. Long-term follow-up studies to assess the sustained impact of these interventions would provide a more comprehensive evaluation of their effectiveness and contribute to ongoing research improvements.

    Education

    📚 Lyra Egan is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the University of Sydney, focusing on eHealth interventions for disadvantaged adolescents. She earned her Master of Public Health in 2020 and holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Science (Psychology) and Arts (Spanish & Latin American Studies and Germanic Studies) from the same institution. Additionally, she completed a semester exchange at Maastricht University in 2016.

    Experience

    🔬 Since July 2021, Lyra has been a PhD Candidate and Research Assistant at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney. Her roles include working on the OurFutures and OurFutures Vaping trials. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant for StepUp for Dementia Research at the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, from August 2019 to October 2020.

    Research Interests

    🔍 Lyra’s research focuses on developing and evaluating eHealth interventions to address poor diet, alcohol use, tobacco smoking, and vaping among adolescents from low socioeconomic and geographically remote backgrounds. Her work involves adapting and scaling interventions to diverse populations, including recent projects in Colombia and Australia.

    Awards

    🏆 Lyra has received several prestigious grants and scholarships, including the Paul Ramsay Foundation PhD Scholarship ($35,000 per annum), Matilda Centre PhD Support Scheme ($2,500 per annum), and Faculty of Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research Support Scheme ($1,000 per annum). She has also been awarded travel support for conferences and research dissemination.

    Publications

    📝 Lyra has published several significant papers in the field of mental health and eHealth interventions:

    1. Egan, L., Gardner, L.A., Newton, N., & Champion, K.E. (2023). A Systematic Review of eHealth Interventions Among Adolescents of Low Socioeconomic and Geographically Remote Backgrounds in Preventing Poor Diet, Alcohol Use, Tobacco Smoking and Vaping. Adolescent Research Review, 9(32).
    2. Egan, L., Riordan, B., Newling, G., Uthurralt, N., & Day, C. (2023). Sydney’s inner west is brimming with micro-breweries, should we be worried and what does it mean for research and policy? Drug and Alcohol Review, 42(4): 843-847.
    3. Hunter, E., Gardner, L. A., O’Dean, S., Newton, N. C., Thornton, L., Rowe, A., Slade, T., McBride, N., Devine, E. K., Egan, L., Teesson, M., & Champion, K. E. (2023). Peer-related correlates of e-cigarette use in Australian adolescents: A cross-sectional examination. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction (IJMA).
    4. Egan, L., Gardner, L. A., Newton, N. C., & Champion, K. E. (2022). eHealth interventions targeting poor diet, alcohol use, tobacco smoking and vaping among disadvantaged youth: Protocol for a systematic review. JMIR Research Protocols, 11(5): e35408.

      Conclusion

      Lyra Egan is a highly deserving candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her innovative approach to addressing critical public health issues among disadvantaged adolescents through eHealth interventions demonstrates a strong alignment with the award’s criteria. Her significant research contributions, extensive funding support, and active engagement with the academic community reflect a high level of excellence and dedication. While there are areas for potential growth, particularly in enhancing policy impact and interdisciplinary collaboration, Lyra’s work is making meaningful strides in improving public health outcomes. Her research has the potential to create substantial, sustainable change, making her an exemplary candidate for this prestigious award.