March 2025 Researcher Profile: Dr. Jodie Naim-Feil
Meet EMCR Committee Member Dr. Jodie Naim-Feil! She's a Senior Research Fellow at the fresh new Rhythms in Physiology Lab over at the University of Melbourne’s Biomedical Engineering Department.
Dr Naim-Feil's innovative research bridges neuroscience and neural engineering to develop methods with real-life clinical impact. Notably, she recently introduced the Pro-ictal EEG Scheduling model, enhancing epilepsy monitoring diagnostics (Annals of Neurology, 2024). With a background in cognitive neuropsychology (PhD, Monash University) and International postdoctoral experience (Weizmann Institute of Science), Dr. Naim-Feil is now pioneering research models that integrate brain rhythms, biosignals, and forecasting frameworks to predict future brain states, paving the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Developing the Pro-Ictal EEG Scheduling model to improve epilepsy diagnostics (Annals of Neurology, 2024) with colleagues Dr. Ewan Nurse and Dr. Pip Karoly.
Image Courtesy: Jodie Naim-Feil
What advice would you give to students or young professionals?
When you start in scientific research, you join a large vibrant conversation merging theories, ideas and empirical insights. Be prepared for a winding road filled with unexpected twists and turns, obstacles, and unusual challenges. However, this should not deter you, but rather, maintain your excitement, passion, and curiosity, and immerse yourself in the science and you will find that the journey becomes just as rewarding as the destination.
Where do you see your research focus in the next 5–10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, my ambition is to establish an independent, highly multidisciplinary research group. By integrating clinical, experimental, and neuroimaging techniques, with neuroengineering models, I hope to explore the complex dynamics underlying human behaviour and brain function in health and disease.
What motivates you to continue working in research despite its challenges?
My research career has followed a unique path, marked by various career disruptions and challenges, yet my curiosity and passion for discovery has always drawn me back to research. The endless possibilities, the generation of innovative ideas, exploration of complex data, and developing new models continues to energise me. Brain research is a field that deeply fascinates me as it is fundamental to understanding our thoughts and behaviours, however, despite this, so much still remains unknown. I believe that taking a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the brain has immense potential for real-world translation and having a positive impact on people’s lives. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to dedicate my time to research and supervision, especially now in the newly established Rhythms in Physiology Lab, where I work with a fantastic team who share my excitement for scientific discovery and innovation.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I have received was about energy. You can transform energy from one form to another and total energy is finite (in isolated systems), and the same principle relates to day-to-day life and managing personal energy. Recognising that you have a finite amount of energy, and you need to be realistic about what can be achieved with that energy and how to allocate this energy effectively to avoid burn out. When feeling overloaded, I take a step back to reassess my priorities and consider how to optimise my energy use.
Another piece of advice is never respond/react to journal reviewers on the actual day you receive the review. Always have a sleep, re-read the next day, and then consider how to respond.
What’s a fun or little-known fact about yourself?
Prior to my life in research and teaching, I worked in a range of diverse jobs for example, I was a Ski Instructor for 3 yr olds, I worked in a chicken house on a Kibbutz for 3 months, and I worked in retail selling organic skin care at Chadstone.
For more information about Jodie's research or to get in touch, check out her Find An Expert page HERE.