Research Intern (Volunteer)
I have been interning on the COGNITION Study at MCRI since March 2026. My responsibilities include administrative tasks such as data handling, administering assessments, and preparing feedback reports. I am very grateful to learn under my excellent supervisor, who has been a guiding star throughout this experience.
About The COGNITION Study
The study is building a normative dataset of cognitive performance across 1,300 school-aged children between five and eighteen, assessed at two time points roughly twelve months apart. The goal is to understand how children's cognition, problem-solving, and academic achievement develop over time and how individual children compare to their peers. Families also receive a personalised feedback report on their child's performance.
Skills I Learnt
I supported participant screening, scheduling, and family communication across the study lifecycle. My core clinical contribution was training in and administering four standardised cognitive assessment batteries:
WPPSI
Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence
An individually administered IQ and cognitive development test for children aged 2 years 6 months to 7 years 7 months. It is typically used by psychologists to evaluate early thinking skills, identify giftedness, or screen for learning disabilities
WASI-II
Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence
A rapid, reliable cognitive screening tool developed by Pearson. It is commonly used by psychologists and clinicians to assess intellectual functioning, screen for giftedness, or identify intellectual disabilities.
WRAT-5
Wide Range Achievement Test
A widely used, norm-referenced academic assessment. It measures foundational reading, spelling, and math skills for individuals aged 5 to 85+. Frequently used by psychologists and educators to evaluate learning progress and identify learning disabilities
CANTAB
Computerised Neuropsychological Assessment
A highly sensitive, touch-screen cognitive testing suite used in clinical trials, neuroscience, and medical research to objectively measure brain function, memory, and executive function.
09.06.2026
On 09.06.2026, I completed my first independent cognitive and neuropsychological assessment at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI). Initially, I felt daunted entering the room, but I left inspired by the entire experience. We played brain games, made paper planes, and discussed topics from Harry Potter to Minecraft. The assessments I used—WPPSI, WRAT-5, and CANTAB—each evaluate different aspects of how a child's brain processes, reasons, and understands their environment. Young children are truly extraordinary; they don't judge, they simply exist. Sitting with them while exploring their mental processes reaffirmed my passion for this work.