Frini Karayanidis is Professor in Psychology with specialisation in the cognitive neuroscience of ageing. She has over 30yrs leadership of large-scale, multidisciplinary studies that study cognitive processes across the developmental lifespan and in clinical groups (eg., Parkinson’s Disease, ADHD). This work has contributed to defining the organisation of cognitive control processes, how they evolve across the lifespan and impact real-world functioning.

Professor Karayanidis has strong cross-disciplinary collaborations that bridge basic cognitive neuroscience methods with clinical questions relating to healthy ageing, early detection and prevention for cognitive decline, and cognitive recovery post-stroke.

Her current work focusses on the design and validation of the first preclinical biomarker of arterial elasticity that can be routinely measured in primary practice to monitor cardiovascular health from midlife and motivate lifestyle changes to maintain cognitive and physical health. Professor Karayanidis’ research is funded by Australian Research Council and National Health and Medical Research Council. It ultimately aims to translate this measure for commercial devices that can be feasibly used in primary practice. This novel approach can shift the healthy ageing paradigm towards maintaining cognitive and physical health across mid-late life and preventing cardiovascular disease and dementia in old age.

Professor Karayanidis has been awarded 69 grants totalling $10.5M funding, published over 2 edited volumes, 4 book chapters, 105 scientific papers and 200 peer-reviewed conference papers. CI-A has supervised 33 HDR (4 current), 12 Masters and over 85 Honours students.