Carmela Pestell

Professor Pestell joined the School of Psychological Science at UWA in 2013, initially working part-time until becoming full-time in 2019. Dr Pestell is a registered Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist and a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society. She was the Director of the state-wide Neurosciences Unit (North Metropolitan Area Health Service, Health Department of WA) for 14 years between 1996 and 2010. She completed a secondment at the Complex Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders Service (CAHDS) as the Manager/Consultant Clinical Psychologist between March 2010 and July 2011. In August 2011, she returned to the Neurosciences Unit to work as a Clinical Neuropsychologist and coordinate the Paediatric Programme; and between January 2012 and December 2014, she resumed her former position as the Director of all clinical and research programmes at Neurosciences (NMHS). She has also worked as the Deputy Area Executive Director (in an acting capacity) for the North Metropolitan Mental Health Service (2012).

Dr Pestell was the Director of the Robin Winkler Clinic (School of Psychological Science -SPS) between 2013 and 2021. As well as research, PhD/Honours supervision and postgraduate teaching responsibilities, Professor Pestell oversees a Graduate Certificate in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnosis, which she co-developed in 2019. Dr Pestell is an elected member of the Academic Board (UWA), was Associate Chair of the Academic Board (2021-2023) and has been the Deputy Chair of the Academic Board since 2024. 

Dr Pestell has over 25 years experience as a post-graduate lecturer in psychology at UWA, Curtin University, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University. She was also involved with the Psychiatry Registrar training programme in Perth, teaching psychology assessment for many years. Since joining UWA in 2013, Dr Pestell has coordinated 11 units, developed new curricula, taught undergraduate/postgraduate students (17 units), and provided extensive clinical supervision for postgraduates undertaking professional training. Currently her teaching commitments at UWA include:
--Unit Coordinator & Lecturer Pediatric Neuropsychology I: PSYC5534

-Course Coordinator & Lecturer: Graduate Certificate in the Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
-Lecturer: Clinical Neuropsychology (PSYC5538, PSYC5678)

Despite a high teaching load, Professor Pestell has developed a research portfolio with over 110 outputs with significant impact/industry linkages (i.e.,70% external collaborators, 30% international, and approximately 500 co-authors). Her clinical background has informed her research focus, investigating neuropsychological outcomes of neurodevelopmental disorders/brain injuries across the lifespan to improve diagnosis, intervention and management. Since her arrival at UWA in 2013, Professor Pestell has co-led research programs, with sustained funding success accrued from diverse sources (grants totalling>$7.2 MM).