Desiree Dickerson, PhD is a neuroscientist and clinical psychologist who specialises in academic mental health and well-being. Based in Europe, she works with leading academic institutions, lab groups, and academics themselves to curate a healthier approach to research. Desiree graduated with her PhD and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her PhD research in systems neuroscience used in vivo electrophysiology to explore impaired neural communication in model systems of schizophrenia. She then moved to the Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria for a postdoc in systems neuroscience. After witnessing (and experiencing) the unhealthy and counterproductive lifestyles demanded by the academic system and exacerbated by perfection, self-doubt, and uncertainty; she now employees her clinical training to help academics and institutions to navigate the challenges of academia with the goal of creating a research culture where individuals thrive alongside their research.