| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Fithall, K., Gray, I. E., Linardon, J., Phillipou, A., Donaldson, P. H., Albein-Urios, N., Enticott, P. G., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., & Kirkovski, M. (231201). Exploring the role of autistic traits and eating disorder psychopathology on mentalising ability in the general population. BMC Psychology, 11(1), |
| 2023 | Kirkovski, M., Donaldson, P. H., Do, M., Speranza, B. E., Albein-Urios, N., Oberman, L. M., & Enticott, P. G. (230501). A systematic review of the neurobiological effects of theta-burst stimulation (TBS) as measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Brain Structure and Function, 228(3-4), (717-749). |
| 2023 | Kirkovski, M., Singh, M., Dhollander, T., Fuelscher, I., Hyde, C., Albein-Urios, N., Donaldson, P. H., & Enticott, P. G. (230101). An Investigation of Age-related Neuropathophysiology in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Fixel-based Analysis of Corpus Callosum White Matter Micro- and Macrostructure. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, |
| 2020 | Kirkovski, M., Fuelscher, I., Hyde, C., Donaldson, P. H., Ford, T. C., Rossell, S. L., Fitzgerald, P. B., & Enticott, P. G. (200813). Fixel Based Analysis Reveals Atypical White Matter Micro- and Macrostructure in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Investigation of the Role of Biological Sex. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 14 |
| 2016 | Kirkovski, M., Enticott, P. G., Hughes, M. E., Rossell, S. L., & Fitzgerald, P. B. (160301). Atypical Neural Activity in Males But Not Females with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(3), (954-963). |
| 2013 | Kirkovski, M., Enticott, P. G., & Fitzgerald, P. B. (131101). A review of the role of female gender in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(11), (2584-2603). |
Key details
Areas of expertise
- Neuroscience
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Eating disorders
- Non-invasive brain stimulation
- Neuroimaging
Available to supervise research students
Available for media queries
About Melissa Kirkovski
Dr Kirkovski is a Lecturer in Psychology (College of Sport, Health & Engineering).
She has experience using a variety of neuro-scientific modalities, including: functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG).
Her primary research interests involve understanding the neurobiological basis of autism, with a focus on social cognition, the role of biological sex, and the overlap between autism and anorexia.
She also has experience in taking basic science approaches to understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying social cognition, and translating this research to inform clinical trials assessing novel device-based biomedical interventions.
Qualifications
- PhD, Monash University, Australia. 2015
- Graduate Diploma of Psychology, Deakin University, Australia. 2010
- Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology), RMIT University, Australia. 2009
- Graduate Certificate in Block Teaching, Victoria University (currently undertaking)
Key publications
Melissa has over 55 publications, with a selection listed here.
A more comprehensive list of Melissa's publications is available in the VU Research Repository.
Journal article (showing 6 of 43)
Research funding for the past 5 years
Funding details for this researcher are currently unavailable.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to the following organisations for their support and essential contributions to my research:
-
Neuroscience Victoria
2023 - Research Funding Role: Principal Investigator Funded Amount: $9000 AUD Project Title: “Response inhibition and eating disorder pathology in autism spectrum disorder"
-
Deakin University
2021 - Faculty of Health ReseArch Capacity Building Grant ScHeme (HAtCH) Role: Principal Investigator Funded Amount: $29, 915 AUD Project Title: “Autism and anorexia: Investigating the clinical and neurocognitive overlap"
-
Department of Health, Australian Government
2020 - Medical Research Future Fund (MRF1199298) Role: Associate Investigator Funded Amount: $2,000,000 AUD Project Title: “Does repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), compared to sham rTMS, improve social communication in adolescents and young adults with autism...?"
-
Deakin University
2020 - Alfred Deakin Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship Role: Principal Investigator Funded Amount: $250,000 AUD Project title: “An investigation of age- and sex-related neuropathophysiology in autism spectrum disorder”
-
St Vincent’s Hospital. Melbourne, Australia
2018 - Research Endowment Fund (#88249) Role: Co Investigator Funded Amount: $20,000 AUD Project title: “Transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of anorexia nervosa.”
-
Swiss Anorexia Nervosa Foundation. Birsfelden, Switzerland
2018 - Project Grant (#85-17) Role: Scientific Collaborator Funded amount: $ 74,862.49 AUD Project title: “Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Anorexia Nervosa”
-
Deakin University
2017 - Career Continuity for Researchers who are Primary Carers Role: Principal Investigator Funded amount: $25,000 AUD
-
Deakin University
2016 - Faculty Research Development Grant Role: Principal Investigator Funded amount: $19,991 AUD Project title: “An investigation of neuroplasticity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using brain stimulation and neuroimaging”
-
Deakin University
2015 - Faculty Research Development Grant Role: Principal Investigator Funded amount: $10,000 AUD Project title: “Understanding the social brain through functional neuroimaging and brain stimulation”
Supervision of research students at VU
Available to supervise research students
Available for media queries
Currently supervised research students at VU
| No. of students | Study level | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PhD | Associate supervisor |
Currently supervised research students at VU
| Students & level | Role |
|---|---|
| PhD (1) | Associate supervisor |
Other supervision of research students
STUDENT SUPERVISION
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD):
Completed: x2 (Associate Supervisor – Deakin University)
Current: x1 (External Primary Supervisor – Victoria University and Deakin University)
Doctor of Psychology (DPsych)
Completed: x2 (Associate Supervisor – Deakin University)
Current: x1 (External Primary Supervisor – Victoria University and Deakin University)
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Completed: x3 (External Primary Supervisor – Victoria University and Deakin University)
Current: x2 (Primary Supervisor – Victoria University)
Honours in Psychology
Completed: x5 (Primary Supervisor – Victoria University)
Completed: x5 (Primary Supervisor – Deakin University)
Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Completed: X10 (Primary Supervisor – Deakin University)
Teaching activities & experience
Dr Kirkovski is currently the Course Chair for: * Honours in Psychology (AHPA) Dr Kirkovski is currently the Unit Convenor for: * Social Research Methods (APH4018) * Psychobiology (APP3019) Prior to commencing at Victoria University, Dr Kirkovski gave lectures in the following units: * Biological and Neuropsychological Perspectives on Disorder (HPS778/978), Deakin University, Victoria, Australia * Studies in Psychopathology (HPS714/914), Deakin University, Victoria, Australia * Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (HPS395), Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
Key academic roles
| Dates | Role | Department / Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2020 - Sep 2022 |
Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow
|
Deakin University |
| Mar 2015 - Dec 2020 |
Research Fellow
|
Deakin University |
| Dates | Role & Department/Organisation |
|---|---|
| Jan 2020 -
Sep 2022
|
Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Deakin University |
| Mar 2015 -
Dec 2020
|
Research Fellow
Deakin University |
Key industry, community & government roles
| Dates | Role | Department/Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 |
Student Mentor, Girls in STEM Mentoring Program
|
The Bionics Institute |
| Jan 2020 - Dec 2020 |
Student Mentor, 10th Innovation Challenge (Bialik College)
|
Brain Stem Org |
| Jan 2019 - Dec 2019 |
Student Mentor, 9th Innovation Challenge (Avila College)
|
Brain Stem Org |
| Dates | Role & Department/Organisation |
|---|---|
| Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 |
Student Mentor, Girls in STEM Mentoring Program
The Bionics Institute |
| Jan 2020 - Dec 2020 |
Student Mentor, 10th Innovation Challenge (Bialik College)
Brain Stem Org |
| Jan 2019 - Dec 2019 |
Student Mentor, 9th Innovation Challenge (Avila College)
Brain Stem Org |
Awards
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2016 |
Distinguished Dissertation Award - International Society for Autism Research |
Keynote and invited speeches
| Year | Title/Description |
|---|---|
| 2023 |
TMS in Autism Roundtable Invited participant. TMS in Autism Roundtable, Brain Synchrony 2023 The Brain Foundation. Pacific Grove, California, USA |
| 2017 |
Biological Sex in Autism Spectrum Disorder Invited presentation. Developmental Medicine Symposium and Grand Round The Royal Children’s Hospital. Melbourne, Australia. |
| 2016 |
The Neurobiological Basis of ASD (focus on Biological Sex) Invited lab presentation. The Kennedy Krieger Institute & Johns Hopkins University Hospital. Baltimore, USA. |
| 2016 |
The role of biological sex on neurobiological mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorder Invited Presentation. International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Baltimore, USA. |
| 2016 |
Autism spectrum disorder: Overview and current research Invited Fundraiser Presentation. A night for autism, Part 2. Melbourne, Australia. |
