Dr Leigh Walker
PhD

Dr Leigh Walker is an NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellow and Deputy lead of Mental Health Research at The Florey. Leigh completed their undergraduate and honours degree at Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) before moving to Australia to undertake a PhD in neuroscience at the University of Melbourne. Leigh conducted their postdoctoral research at The Florey, examining the role of acetylcholine muscarinic receptors in alcohol use disorders, and since 2023 has established their independent group.

Leigh’s research investigates the neurobiology of adaptive and maladaptive decision making, including anxiety and alcohol use disorders. They are particularly interested in sex differences. To assess this, Leigh leverages various genetic, physiological, neuroanatomical, viral, and pharmacological approaches in rodent animal models to monitor, manipulate, and map the neural circuits, synapses, and signalling mechanisms that drive complex behaviours.

Leigh has received more than $2 million funding from the NHMRC, ARC and Brockhoff foundation to support her research. Leigh is also an advocate for diversity in science, serving as a member of the co-chair of the Florey mentoring committee, DEI committee member of the International Behavioural Neuroscience Society (IBNS) and treasurer of Queers in Science (QiS) Victoria.