Mindarma Event Registration

Pain and the Brain

The surprising science that can unlock relief

Event

Discover how the brain plays a key role in pain and recovery. We unpack the science and provide practical insights to help reshape pain and support long-term relief.

Wednesday 17 June 2026
11:30am - 12:30pm (ACST)

Expert Speakers

Dr Nahian Chowdhury
Research Fellow, Neuroscience Research Australia; Conjoint Lecturer, UNSW Head of Neurostimulation, NeuroRecovery Research Hub, School of Psychology, UNSW, AHPRA Registered Psychologist

Dr Mandy Mercuri
PhD, Mindfulness and Pain Recovery Coach (MTI Level 1, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Certified, Explain Pain)

Moderator

Dr Sadhbh Joyce
Senior Psychologist (MAPS, AAPi), Co-Founder of Mindarma, Meditation Teacher, External Fellow, Black Dog Institute/UNSW Medicine & Health

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The Mental Health and Wellbeing Program is an initiative of the Government of South Australia’s Office for Small and Family Business and the South Australian Small Business Strategy 2023 - 2030.

Dr Nahian Chowdhury
Research Fellow, Neuroscience Research Australia; Conjoint Lecturer, UNSW Head of Neurostimulation, NeuroRecovery Research Hub, School of Psychology, UNSW, AHPRA Registered Psychologist

Nahian is a clinician-researcher working at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology and pain. His research focuses on using non-invasive brain stimulation to understand the neural mechanisms of pain and to develop more precise, mechanism-based treatments for chronic pain. His program of research spans biomarker discovery, experimental neurophysiology, and clinical translation.

He is particularly interested in identifying brain-based markers that can improve diagnosis, explain individual differences in treatment response, and serve as therapeutic targets for interventions such as repetitive brain stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation.

Alongside this, he also works clinically as a psychologist, which informs his broader interest in the interaction between pain, mood, stress, anxiety and brain function.

Nahian’s contributions have been recognised through competitive grants, and national awards. These include the Joan Hume Fellowship and June and Doris Cather Postdoctoral Award awarded by Neuroscience Research Australia, and the University Medal, the Tasman Lovell Medallion for Best Thesis in Psychology awarded by the University Sydney, and the Emerging Researcher Award awarded by the Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society.

Dr Mandy Mercuri
PhD, Mindfulness and Pain Recovery Coach (MTI Level 1, Pain Reprocessing Therapy Certified, Explain Pain)

Dr Mandy Mercuri is an educator, mindfulness facilitator and pain science communicator who combines more than 30 years of lived experience with chronic pain following corrective surgeries for severe scoliosis with professional training in pain science, mindfulness and pain recovery approaches.

After many years searching for medical solutions to persistent pain, Mandy attended a three-week intensive pain management program in 2009 that transformed her relationship with pain and became a turning point in her recovery. Since then, she has developed a strong interest in contemporary pain science and is passionate about translating complex concepts into practical, relatable and engaging education.

Mandy has extensive experience teaching in higher education and community settings and brings a warm, down-to-earth approach to her work, integrating mindfulness, self-compassion and evidence-based pain education to support wellbeing and recovery. She facilitates the ‘From Pain to Peace’ eight-week mindfulness program with Open Ground and works as a mindfulness and pain recovery coach with More Good Days.

Mandy holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Management) and a PhD. She is a qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator through the Mindfulness Training Institute and has completed certification in Pain Reprocessing Therapy and Explain Pain. She has practiced mindfulness for more than a decade, is a member of the Meditation Association of Australia, and recently completed Modern Qigong Teacher Training – Qigong Foundations (60-hour training program).

Dr Sadhbh Joyce
Senior Psychologist (MAPS, AAPi), Co-Founder of Mindarma, Meditation Teacher, External Fellow, Black Dog Institute/UNSW Medicine & Health

Sadhbh is a highly experienced clinician with more than 20 years working across clinical, industrial and academic environments.

She has delivered evidence‑based psychological therapy to individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, bereavement and workplace injury. Her work is grounded in compassion, scientific rigour and a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing.

With specialist expertise in neuropsychology, mindfulness, self‑compassion in psychotherapy and workplace mental health, Sadhbh has trained diverse groups including first responders, frontline health workers, allied health professionals, leaders, managers, educators, justice workers, lawyers and community workers.

Sadhbh’s contributions have been recognised nationally. She has received a Significant Contribution Award from the Australian Psychological Society for her translational research. Her online program, Mindarma, has been honoured with a Mental Health Matters Award from the NSW Mental Health Commission and a Resilient Australia Award from the NSW Government, and has received mental health grant support from the Victorian Government (2022) and the Government of South Australia (2023–2025).