Marc Chao

Marc Chao is a Lecturer in Psychology with the College of Healthcare Sciences at James Cook University Bebegu Yumba (Townsville) Campus, where he also serves as the Academic Advisor for the Bachelor of Psychological Science.

Marc’s research applies psychological science to public health challenges, focusing on improving mental health, resilience, and adaptive behaviour in populations facing complex social, cultural, and environmental stressors. His work integrates four complementary areas:

• Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs): to support trauma recovery, well-being, and resilience, particularly in groups affected by domestic violence, veteran trauma, and rural mental health challenges;
• Global Consciousness: to foster awareness of interconnectedness, diversity, and collective responsibility, promoting prosocial behaviours and mental health;
• Critical Thinking and Misinformation: to enhance cognitive resilience, enabling individuals and communities to resist harmful narratives and make informed decisions; and
• Associative Learning: to uncover mechanisms of behaviour change and optimise interventions, including MBIs, by identifying cues that influence emotional and behavioural responses.

By uniting these areas, Marc’s research advances the design of interventions that are culturally responsive, evidence-based, and scalable, which are key priorities in public health and population well-being.

His doctoral research examined learning across multiple contexts and its influence on the recovery of first-learned associations, offering new insights into extinction learning mechanisms. This foundational expertise informs his current applied research, which bridges experimental psychology with real-world intervention science.

Marc also holds several professional and research portfolios that strengthen his academic engagement. He is Grants Lead for the AusAsian Mental Health Research Alliance (AMHRA), an Editorial Board Member for the Asian Journal of Social Psychology, and the Insular Pacific Regional Representative for the Asian Association of Social Psychology. He is also a Full Member of the Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health Research, a Member of the Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory at JCU, and a Member of the Mindfulness Lab at JCU.

As an educator, Marc is committed to fostering equitable and engaging learning environments. He has consistently achieved high subject (4.8–4.9/5) and teaching (4.9–5.0/5) ratings and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Through his role as Academic Advisor, he provides ongoing guidance to psychology students by supporting their academic progression throughout their studies.

Marc holds a PhD in Psychology from James Cook University (2024, passed with no amendments), an MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health (Distinction) from King’s College London, an MSc in International Business Management (Top Graduate) from Edinburgh Napier University, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (Distinction) from the University of Liverpool, and a Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling from Republic Polytechnic, Singapore (endorsed by the Career Industry Council of Australia).

Through his research, teaching, and community engagement, Marc seeks to contribute to population mental health and resilience by developing interventions and frameworks that address public health challenges, particularly in vulnerable and underserved communities.