Alex Lau-Zhu

Accepting DPhil applications for next academic cycle

I am a Medical Research Council Clinician Scientist Fellow at the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, and part of the senior leadership team for the Oxford Centre for Emerging Minds Research. I lead the reimaginelab where our flagship focus is on youth trauma and mental health through the science of imagination - replaying the past and envisioning the future. We take an experimental, developmental, and clinical approach, and integrate theories through a cognitive lens. Our curiosity on imagery is placed within wider transdiagnostic processes and intervention contexts, and extends from trauma to anxiety and neurodiversity.

Clinically, I work with complex trauma and sexual harm in young people at Oxford Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Horizon). I hold a scientific affiliation at Imperial College London and a Committee for Children Research Fellowship at Linacre College.

I am also committed to supporting diversity in academic and clinical psychology careers.

Brief Bio & Previous Appointments

My clinical-academic career is UK-based, though I grew up between Peru and China, giving me a cross-cultural perspective that informs both my research and clinical work.

2023-24: Research Tutor and Clinical Psychologist, OXICPT, Oxford Health NHS

2019-22: Clinical Psychologist in training (BABCP accreditation), University of Oxford

2016-18: Postdoctoral Research Associate, SGDP IOPPN, King’s College London

2013-16: Cambridge International Scholar, MRC CBU, University of Cambridge

2012-13: Low-Intensity Therapist, Sutton & Merton IAPT, London

2011-12: Assistant Psychologist, Traumatic Stress Clinic, London

2008-11: BSc (Hons) Psychology, University College London (Global Excellence & Ernest Hecht Scholar)

2007-8: General Studies in Liberal Arts, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru

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