Ally is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, which she commenced in 2026 under the primary supervision of Prof Laura Downie, with collaborative contributions from Associate Professor Holly Chinnery, Professor Anthony Hannan (Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health) and Dr Sih Min Tan.

Ally completed her BSc in Neural Science with High Honours at New York University in 2024. Her undergraduate thesis applied a deep learning model to automate segmentation of the lamina cribrosa in optical coherence tomography scans, work that was recognised with the Samuel M. Feldman Thesis Prize. Alongside her research, Ally gained extensive clinical experience in ophthalmology, working as an ophthalmic technician and office manager before her most recent role as practice manager.

During her undergraduate years, Ally developed a strong interest in neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychological stress and trauma. Her work in ophthalmology introduced her to the brain-eye connection, and it was this intersection that drew her to pursue a PhD investigating how chronic stress impacts corneal immune cell activity, as well as whether this connects to broader, central neuroimmune states. Outside of the lab, Ally enjoys getting out into nature, hiking, and exploring Melbourne’s neighbourhoods.