Yafit Hirshler (PhD, Research Fellow, Parent-Infant Research Institute) is an early career researcher specialising in the investigation of biological mechanisms underpinning brain disorders, with a focus on biomarker discovery and the development of novel therapies.

She has expertise in neuroscience, biochemistry and molecular biology, which she applies to translational mental health research. Yafit is the manager of the NHMRC STePPS Centre of Research Excellence and plays a key role in coordinating research activities associated with this application.

She also manages an NHMRC-funded randomised controlled trial at the Parent-Infant Research Institute examining the impact of face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy for antenatal depression on child neurodevelopmental outcomes. Through this role, she has developed strong expertise in trial coordination and the operational requirements for successful study delivery.

As an Associate Investigator, Yafit contributes expertise in social epigenomics and the impact of psychological interventions. This program will undertake the first prospective analysis of perinatal depression treatment effects on DNA methylation at glucocorticoid-sensitive sites across the genome, and examine the clinical relevance of these changes for child development.