Dr. Nicolette Soler | Qualitative Research | Best Researcher Award 

School of Health sciences at University of Sydney, Australia

Dr. Nicolette Soler is an accomplished occupational therapist with a specialization in paediatric neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly focusing on tics and Tourette’s syndrome. Her career has been dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of sensory dysregulation in children, leading to improved health outcomes for families. Dr. Soler has led innovative clinical projects, such as the development of the Paediatric Tic Clinic at Stepping Stones Therapy for Children, which integrates evidence-based research into clinical practice. She has a robust academic background, with significant contributions through both research and education.

Profile:

ORCID

Education:

Dr. Soler completed her PhD at the University of Sydney, focusing on sensory-based assessment and treatment approaches for children with tic disorders. Her PhD research was supervised by leading experts in the field and involved a novel approach to sensory dysregulation in neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Soler also holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with honors from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Over the years, she has continuously engaged in professional development, attending specialized training sessions such as Rasch Measurement Theory.

Experience:

Dr. Soler’s extensive career spans both clinical practice and academia. She currently serves as the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist and holds a conjoint lecturer position with the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute. Her previous roles include positions as a Mental Health Allied Health Research Fellow and Health Manager in Research at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. She has over a decade of experience working in paediatric occupational therapy across various institutions, including Stepping Stones Therapy for Children and Kids Research Institute. Her leadership in establishing the Paediatric Tic Clinic has allowed her to bridge clinical practice with ongoing research to better serve children and families affected by tic disorders.

Research Interests:

Dr. Soler’s research primarily focuses on sensory dysregulation in paediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, especially tics and Tourette’s syndrome. She explores how sensory experiences affect children and their families, aiming to develop better assessment tools that inform individualized occupational therapy treatment plans. Her interest in improving therapeutic outcomes extends to developing innovative treatment approaches for managing tics and comorbidities in children and young people. Additionally, Dr. Soler is involved in systematic reviews and evaluations of sensory assessment measures, contributing to the advancement of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy.

Awards:

Dr. Soler’s research and clinical achievements have been recognized through numerous awards. She received the prestigious Mental Health Allied Health Research Fellowship from the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) in 2020, allowing her to focus on her PhD research. Her academic excellence has been acknowledged with awards such as the Best Presentation at the Higher Degree by Research Student Conference at the University of Sydney in 2019 and the Marie du Toit National Research Award from the University of the Witwatersrand. Additionally, she was honored with the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa Research Award for her early contributions to the field.

Publications:

Dr. Soler has contributed to several high-impact publications in Q1 journals, covering topics on sensory dysregulation and tic disorders. Notable publications include:

Soler, N., Perkes, I. E., Dale, R. C., & Bray, P. (2023). Parent-young person lived experience of sensory dysregulation in children with tic disorders: Qualitative Study. [Under journal review].

Soler, N., Cordier, R., Perkes, I. E., Dale, R. C., & Bray, P. (2023). Proxy‐reported sensory measures for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 65(2), 185-199. Cited by [3 articles].

Jones, H. F., Han, V. X., Patel, S., Gloss, B. S., Soler, N., Ho, A., … & Dale, R. C. (2021). Maternal autoimmunity and inflammation are associated with childhood tics and obsessive-compulsive disorder: Transcriptomic data show common enriched innate immune pathways. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 94, 308-317. Cited by [15 articles].

Soler, N., Hardwick, C., Perkes, I. E., Mohammad, S. S., Dossetor, D., Nunn, K., … & Dale, R. C. (2019). Sensory dysregulation in tic disorders is associated with executive dysfunction and comorbidities. Movement Disorders, 34(12), 1901-1909. Cited by [22 articles].

Soler, N., Hardwick, C., Perkes, I. E., Dossetor, D., Bray, P., & Dale, R. C. (2019). An exploratory study into an adapted use of the Alert Program for tic disorder in children. Australasian Psychiatry, 27(2), 144-151. Cited by [8 articles].

Conclusion:

Dr. Nicolette Soler is an outstanding candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, given her dedication to advancing understanding and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly tics and Tourette’s syndrome. Her leadership, interdisciplinary collaborations, academic contributions, and practical innovations demonstrate her significant impact in the field of occupational therapy. While there is room for expanding her research breadth and increasing international visibility, her achievements thus far make her a deserving nominee for this award.