Associate ProfessorAlyna Turner

I lead a research program targeting mental health and comorbidity, with particular expertise in stroke, substance misuse and serious mental illness. I create, implement and evaluate highly translatable novel interventions, incorporating lived experience expertise throughout the research pathway. I have a particular interest in long term wellbeing and mental health after stroke.

In 2017 I collaborated with the Stroke Association of Victoria to develop and deliver a post-stroke vocational (work) support service. Following this my team translated the service to be delivered via telehealth to increase reach to those in regional, rural and remote settings. The service was then modified to be suitable for people any time post-stroke, using a co-design approach. In 2024 I received NHMRC funding for a full clinical trial of the program.

I have been site lead on multi-site clinical trials of new treatments for methamphetamine dependence, and smoking cessation in people with serious mental illness. I have additionally supervised honours and higher degree research students exploring the role of trauma and personality disorder on treatment outcomes for people with bipolar disorder.

I additionally collaborate with local, national and international researchers on studies covering a diverse range of topics including new treatments for bipolar disorder, mental health help seeking, novel approaches to smoking cessation in people with serious mental illness, surf therapy for mental health, online stroke secondary prevention, and supporting carers of those with stroke.