A/Prof Kathryn Goozee, PhD, NP, MCN, GCG, RN
KaRa MINDS Director / CEO / Principal Investigator
Hon. A/Prof, Macquarie University
A/Prof. Kathryn Goozee is the CEO and Director of the KaRa Institute of Neurological Diseases based in Macquarie Park, Sydney. Kathryn holds a Hon. A/Prof position at Macquarie University, Sydney, within the faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. She has a PhD in Clinical Neuroscience which focused on the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, examining cognitive, neuroimaging, and blood biomarkers.
Kathryn has a strong track record for establishing new models of service, including being one of Australia’s first Nurse Practitioners specialising in dementia. As Managing Director of KaRa MINDS, Kathryn leads up to 20 staff, including specialist clinicians and researchers who deliver some of the most promising pharmaceutical clinical trials available worldwide. Removing traditional barriers to assessment, the KaRa MINDS team promote the prevention and early detection of dementia through their Memory Clinic services. Utilising health, lifestyle, blood and neuropathology biomarkers, the KaRa MINDS team work to find the best solution for people ‘at risk’ of dementia, as well as for those already living with the condition.
Kathryn has more than 35 publications in highly regarded journals, as well as having contributed to the book ‘Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease’.
Dr Rosalyn Lai, Principal Investigator
Dr Lai is a Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist and provides an integral role at KaRa MINDS working as the Principal Investigator (PI), across all clinical trials conducted by KaRa MINDS. As the PI, she is responsible for the delegation of roles and oversight of the studies, ensuring that the research is conducted as per the protocol, and aligned with Good Clinical Practice.
Dr Lai graduated in Medicine from the University of New South Wales in 2004, and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. She completed her specialist training in psychiatry in the South Eastern Sydney and Northern Sydney Local Health Districts and has wide clinical training experience that has included Generalist Adult Psychiatry, Drug and Alcohol, Psychiatry of Old Age, Intellectual Disability and Perinatal Psychiatry.
Dr Lai works closely with the clinical and research staff at KaRa MINDS, ensuring that each staff member is appropriately trained and knowledgeable to undertake the duties assigned to support volunteer participants within the clinical trials offered. She provides mentoring for staff and supports their capacity to operate at their full potential. Dr Lai has extensive experience in the clinical diagnosis and management of cognitive disorders.
Lisa Swan, Executive Manager
Lisa is a foundational member of KaRa MINDS. She brings to the team extensive experience in health service delivery, as well as more than 16 years of experience managing and developing multiple start-up businesses in the field of healthcare – both in the public and private sphere.
She has a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Human Resource Management from Murdoch University, Western Australia, and is responsible for operational activities including staff resourcing, to ensure that public expectations are met and surpassed. Lisa plays a critical role in strategic planning at KaRa MINDS, assisting in the development and expansion of services to deliver high quality and comprehensive service offers. She utilises her combined experience and knowledge to support KaRa MINDS, realise the organisational vision, and deliver excellent health and clinical trial services. Lisa is proud to work closely with the CEO to undertake this important work within dementia, which is an area of considerable community need.
Viral Gandhi, Operations Manager / Lead Coordinator
Viral is responsible for coordinating trials at KaRa MINDs. She has over 8 years’ experience in research & development, clinical research and quality control. She is highly skilled at analysis and maintaining documentation regarding all aspects of good clinical, laboratory and manufacturing practice (GCP, GLP & GMP standards).
Viral joined KaRa MINDS in August 2017 and plays an integral role in all our trial-related activities.
Viral enjoys her role supporting the team at KaRa MINDS to conduct highest quality, innovative, clinical trials, as we edge closer to a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
