Oliver Smith

Student Representative

Oliver Smith is a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney with extensive experience in brain health research across the lifespan. He currently manages the Former Athlete Brain Health Research Program, a prospective longitudinal study investigating how sport-related neurotrauma affects cognition and brain health in former elite athletes compared to non-athletic controls.

Oliver holds a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science (Physiology and Pharmacology) and a Master's in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience from the UK. Since relocating to Australia in 2016, he has dedicated five years to managing research programs examining brain health from childhood through older adulthood. His expertise extends beyond research design to encompass comprehensive research operations, including system efficiency optimization, robust data management protocols, and advanced statistical analysis methodologies.

His research focuses on identifying critical factors that influence cognitive function and brain health, with the goal of maximising healthy aging and informing clinical guidelines for Australian sporting codes. As the student representative on the AIPN executive committee, Oliver brings valuable expertise in sports-related injury prevention, operational research management and neurological health outcomes.