Liza van Eijk

Translational Clinical Neuroscience

Dr Liza van Eijk is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Clinical Neuroscience at James Cook University. Her research aims to improve the early identification and prevention of neurodevelopmental and mental health difficulties through translational clinical neuroscience. Her work combines MRI, EEG, neuropsychological assessment, wearable technologies, predictive modelling and consumer engagement to develop clinically meaningful approaches that support earlier diagnosis, risk stratification and intervention. 

Her research is driven by a commitment to ensuring that advances in neuroscience translate into practical benefits for individuals, families, clinicians and health services, particularly in regional and rural Australia.

Research Leadership

Dr van Eijk has secured more than $550,000 in competitive and industry funding. Her research spans precision mental health, neonatal neurodevelopment, biomarkers, implementation science and consumer-informed research. 

Precision Mental Health Research

Dr van Eijk leads a consumer-informed precision mental health research program focused on improving the early identification and prevention of mental health difficulties in young people.

Selected funded projects

•  Predicting Mental Health Risk in Young Adults: An Accelerated Longitudinal Study to Develop Clinical Screening Tools. Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health Research Grant (CIA), AUD $250,000; 2026
  
• Identify biomarkers to detect individuals at risk for stress-related mental health conditions early and develop a wearable device accordingly, a preventative approach to reduce mental health burden in Australia. JCU Grant Submission Support Scheme (CIA), AUD $24,951; 2025 & RUIC grant AUD $25,555, 2026)
  
• Early Detection, Early Support: Leveraging Predictive Markers to Prevent Escalation of Mental Health Symptoms. Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health Seed Grant (CIA), AUD $7,000; 2025

These projects integrate neuroscience, digital technologies and consumer engagement to develop accessible approaches for identifying and preventing future mental health difficulties.

Neonatal Neurodevelopment Research

A major focus of Dr van Eijk's work is improving the early identification of infants at risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

She led implementation of non-sedated ("feed-and-wrap") neonatal MRI across Townsville and Cairns hospitals, helping establish sustainable regional capability for advanced neurodevelopmental assessment and research. 

Selected funded projects

• Improving Parental Mental Health and Engagement in Neonatal MRI: A Co-Designed Study. Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health Seed Grant (CIA), AUD $12,000; 2026
  
• Cord Blood Screening for Adverse In-Utero Neurodevelopmental Outcomes. Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health Seed Grant (CIB), AUD $11,400; 2026
• Codesigning the Implementation of Research-Informed Recommendations for Neonatal MRI for Infants at High Risk. JCU College of Healthcare Sciences Seed Grant (CIA), AUD $7,000; 2024

Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory

Dr van Eijk is the founder and head of the Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory (CNL), a multidisciplinary network of researchers, clinicians, students and external collaborators spanning JCU Australia, JCU Singapore and partner organisations. The Laboratory supports collaborative research, researcher development, technical training, grant incubation and translation of neuroscience discoveries into healthcare practice. 

Research infrastructure funding: EEG System. JCU Small Equipment Grant Scheme (CIA), AUD $24,650.82; 2025 

Learn more: Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory

Consumer and Community Engagement

Consumer involvement is central to Dr van Eijk's research. She established and leads the Consumer Involvement in Research Working Group within the Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health Research and is leading development of a regional mental health consultation process that brings together consumers, clinicians, researchers and community organisations across North Queensland.

Teaching and Researcher Development

Dr van Eijk teaches Behavioural Neuroscience and Cognitive Neuroscience and supervises Honours, Masters and PhD students. She is passionate about developing the next generation of neuroscience researchers through research-led teaching, mentorship and authentic learning experiences.

Education research funding

• Student Perspectives on GenAI Integration in Education. Scholarship of Learning and Teaching Seed Grant (CHS) (CIA shared), AUD $7,500; 2025 
  
• She also founded NeuroSTEM, an interdisciplinary outreach initiative that introduces regional high-school students to neuroscience, mental health research and STEM careers through hands-on activities. Funded in 2024 by the Engagement of Science grant by the Queensland Government. 2026 funded by JCU's Margaret Roderick Centre for Mental Health & The Brain Healthy Schools Project, Child Health Research Centre at The University of Queensland.