Introducing fellow Isabelle Kaiko

Isabelle Kaiko started as a postdoctoral researcher at Leiden University (Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences) in January 2026. As part of the Mind-Body Interface team, she will primarily focus on attention differences in chronic itch and chronic pain, using network-based analytical approaches to clarify how cognitive processes contribute to symptom perception and maintenance.

Isabelle completed her Bachelor of Science with a Double Major in Psychology (First Class Honours) at the University of Western Australia in 2019. She then continued her research training and completed her PhD in 2024 under an RTP Stipend Scholarship. Her dissertation, Getting Stuck Daydreaming: The Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Anxiety While Mind Wandering, supervised by Professor Caroline Hunt, Professor Muireann Irish, and Associate Professor Jemma Todd, examined how cognitive flexibility contributes to anxiety during spontaneous thought.

Following her PhD, Isabelle worked as a Senior Data Insights Analyst in the Premier’s Department New South Wales, Department of Aboriginal Affairs. In this role, she contributed to evidence-informed policy development and helped ensure that Aboriginal community perspectives were accurately represented in government decision-making processes through research and data insights. Alongside her academic work, Isabelle has supported at-risk youth as a Mental Health Advocate and contributed to community engagement initiatives through various nonprofit organizations.