Associate Professor Nicole Lovato

Associate Professor in Sleep Health

College of Medicine and Public Health

+61 8 72218307

nicole.lovato@flinders.edu.au

Mark Oliphant Building

GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia

My research program is focused on insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders, particularly the development of new, innovative therapeutic interventions and models of care for the management of both chronic insomnia and associated chronic mental and physical ill-health. I work closely with consumers, primary care, and other key stakeholders to translate this knowledge to make best-practice sleep healthcare accessible and cost-effective for the community.

I co-lead of the insomnia, shift work and body clock disruption theme at FHMRI Sleep Health (formerly Adelaide Institute of Sleep Health). I have co-led the establishment and leadership of a new sleep health clinical service (Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health Clinic). I am co-Chair of the Chronobiology Council of the Australasian Sleep Association (ASA), Australia’s peak advocacy body in sleep medicine.

I founded and Chair the Consumer Advisory group for the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health. I am a co-inventor and hold patents for a sleep disorders diagnostic tool.

Qualifications

Master of Clinical Psychology (current); Flinders University

Doctor of Philosophy (2012); Flinders University

Bachelor of Psychology Honours (2007); Flinders University

Honours, awards and grants

I am the recipient of several awards in recognition of my research and leadership. The most prestigious are listed below:

Mid Career Research Award, Flinders University 2023; in recognition of excellence in research at the mid-career stage.
Early Career Research Award, Flinders University, 2020; one of two distinguished early career researchers who have demonstrated excellence in publications, research funding, and HDR completions over the past 12-months.
Fresh Science SA, Science in Public, 2018; a national award for excellence in science communication.
Early Career Researcher Award, Australian Psychological Association, 2016 (First recipient from Flinders University); in recognition of excellence in scientific achievement in psychology. The achievements of awardees are considered outstanding and of a calibre that places them significantly ahead of their peers.
South Australian Tall Poppy Award, Australian Institute of Policy & Science, 2016; prestigious award to recognise and celebrate intellectual and scientific excellence of Australian scientists.
Career Development Award, Australasian Sleep Association/Chinese Sleep Research Society, 2014 (First ever recipient); awarded to a high achieving emerging researcher to enhance career/future collaboration opportunities.
Vice Chancellor Award for Early Career Researchers, Flinders University, 2013; recognises and values outstanding contributions from early career researchers.