A University of the Sunshine Coast neuroscientist who is finding ways to reduce the risk of dementia in older people through lifestyle changes has been named a Queensland Young Tall Poppy.

Dr Sophie Andrews, who leads the Healthy Brain Ageing Program at UniSC’s Thompson Institute, was one of 16 winners in the prestigious statewide science awards.

Studies by the UniSC Senior Research Fellow have found that lifestyle has detectable impacts on brain health many years before a person shows any sign of dementia.

“Some people may not realise that our risk for developing dementia isn’t just in our genes,” Dr Andrews said.

“A significant 30 to 50 percent of our risk is attributed to factors that we have some control over – like exercise, diet, and mental health.

“I’m investigating how lifestyle can improve brain health and reduce risk of dementia, and how to support people to change their lifestyles.”

Dr Andrews uses the latest neuroscience techniques including MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), EEG (to measure electrical activity in the brain) and TMS (a non-invasive method of stimulating the brain).

One of her recent MRI studies found that healthy older adults with lower dementia risk due to their healthy lifestyles had larger white matter tracts (the brain’s super-highways) than those with higher risk.

She said she was surprised and honoured to receive the award in recognition of her work, which ultimately aims to reduce Australia’s $3.7 billion annual spending on health and aged care.

“By revealing the mechanisms that link the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to the brain, my research provides the tools to improve many future lives,” she said.

UniSC Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Ross Young congratulated Dr Andrews on the award and her cutting-edge work to address health issues in an ageing population.

“This is representative of the vital research into mental health and healthy ageing now underway across UniSC’s campuses and Thompson Institute,” he said.

Professor Young said the award recognised Dr Andrews’ commitment to educating the wider community on the role of lifestyle in dementia risk reduction, from media commentating to hosting community forums.

“She is also dedicated to promoting science careers to young Australians to boost this country’s future workforce,” he said.

Dr Andrews is a cognitive neuroscientist and clinical neuropsychologist whose research earned a Discovery Early Career Research Award, funded by the Australian Research Council. She was selected as a Superstar of STEM by Science and Technology Australia in 2023.

The annual Young Tall Poppy Science Awards are an initiative of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science to recognise excellence in research and enthusiasm for communicating science beyond the laboratory.