DR. Kathryn Goozee, Director
DR. Kathryn Goozee, Director
Dr Kathryn Goozee is the Director and CEO of the KaRa Institute of Neurological Diseases, based in Macquarie Park, Sydney. She holds an Honorary Associate Professorship at Macquarie University within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and an invited leadership member of the Dementia Research Centre at Macquarie University. Kathryn earned her PhD in Clinical Neuroscience, with a research focus on the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, exploring cognitive function, neuroimaging, and blood-based biomarkers.
A recognised leader in dementia care, Kathryn was one of Australia’s first Nurse Practitioners to specialise in this field. She has a strong track record in developing innovative models of care and clinical service delivery. As Director of KaRa MINDS, she leads a multidisciplinary team of up to 20 clinicians and researchers, conducting some of the world’s most advanced pharmaceutical clinical trials in dementia and neurodegeneration.
Kathryn provides expert clinical oversight and mentorship to ensure all trials are conducted with the highest standards of safety, scientific integrity, and patient-centred care. She is deeply committed to the professional development of her team, fostering a collaborative culture of learning, excellence, and innovation throughout the organisation.
Dedicated to removing traditional barriers to diagnosis and care, KaRa MINDS supports the prevention and early detection of dementia by providing direct access to potentially disease-modifying treatments. In collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry and academic partners, the team integrates comprehensive clinical evaluation with advanced health, blood, and neuropathological biomarkers—offering real hope to individuals at risk of, or living with, dementia.
Kathryn is the author of more than 40 peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals and is a contributing author to the book Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease.
Dr Rosalyn Lai, Principal Investigator
Dr Lai is a Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist and provides an integral role at KaRa MINDS working as the Principal Investigator (PI), across all clinical trials conducted by KaRa MINDS. As the PI, she is responsible for the delegation of roles and oversight of the studies, ensuring that the research is conducted as per the protocol, and aligned with Good Clinical Practice.
Dr Lai graduated in Medicine from the University of New South Wales in 2004, and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. She completed her specialist training in psychiatry in the South Eastern Sydney and Northern Sydney Local Health Districts and has wide clinical training experience that has included Generalist Adult Psychiatry, Drug and Alcohol, Psychiatry of Old Age, Intellectual Disability and Perinatal Psychiatry.
Dr Lai works closely with the clinical and research staff at KaRa MINDS, ensuring that each staff member is appropriately trained and knowledgeable to undertake the duties assigned to support volunteer participants within the clinical trials offered. She provides mentoring for staff and supports their capacity to operate at their full potential. Dr Lai has extensive experience in the clinical diagnosis and management of cognitive disorders.
Lisa Swan, Executive Manager
Lisa is a foundational member of KaRa MINDS, bringing to the team extensive experience in health service delivery and more than 25 years of expertise in managing and developing healthcare start-ups across both public and private sectors.
She holds a Bachelor of Business with a major in Human Resource Management from Murdoch University, Western Australia. At KaRa MINDS, Lisa is responsible for business development, liaison with the pharmaceutical industry, budgeting, and contractual activities—ensuring the organisation operates efficiently and continues to meet and exceed public expectations.
Lisa plays a pivotal role in the strategic planning and growth of KaRa MINDS, contributing to the design and expansion of high-quality, comprehensive service offerings. Her combined business acumen and healthcare knowledge are instrumental in supporting the realisation of the organisation’s vision and in ensuring the delivery of exceptional clinical trial and health services.
Deeply committed to making a meaningful impact, Lisa works closely with the CEO to drive forward KaRa MINDS’ mission in the field of dementia—an area of urgent and growing community need.
