PSYC01 - Relationship between intrusive memories and biological markers

Overview

This project will look at the relationship between endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) in human saliva and blood samples, and how these interact with various psychological processes. The topic bridges psychology with biochemistry and is associated with NHMRC Investigator funding. In this project, we test the relationship between these biomarkers and intrusive memories experienced by participants who have watched violent film clips, and psychophysiological data derived from our 'fear conditioning' experiments. The successful VRES student will be incorporated into a research laboratory group and will be involved in a wide range of duties, learning new skills along the way.

Research engagement

Students will be involved with reviewing literature, lab-based work (preparation of biological samples) and scoring data from these samples once they have been processed.

Research activities

Anticipated activities include:

1. Literature review of relevant literature

2. Assistance with biological sample preparation

3. Scoring of physiological and biological data

4. Attendance at team lab meetings and seminars, including an end of VRES presentation

You will be working with a range of team members, including current Honours, Masters, and PhD students, as well as research assistant staff.

Research skills

Skills that will be developed include biological sample preparation (i.e., working with biological samples in a real laboratory environment), understanding theory and literature relevant to our research, and understanding how to score and pre-process biological and psychophysiological data.

Outcomes

Aims and outcomes include analysis of data that forms part of ongoing work in our laboratory. You will be contributing to real research projects conducted by our research group, some of which may be published in peer reviewed academic journals. The aims are also to improve your skills and knowledge through active experience working with a research team in a research environment.

Skills and experience

No experience is needed, though students should be enthusiastic about learning new skills, able to process feedback effectively during the learning process, and have some interest in research and academic studies.

Start date

2 November, 2026

End date

19 February, 2027

Location

Two locations:

Gardens Point Molecular Genetics Lab R413

Kelvin Grove OB443 - Psychophysiology Lab

Keywords

• biomarkers
• clinical psychology

Contact

Luke Ney

31384550

luke.ney@qut.edu.au