Dr Brooke Nickel is an NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow at The University of Sydney
Dr Brooke Nickel (BSc Hons, MIPH, PhD) is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Emerging Leader Researcher and Senior Research Fellow in the University of Sydney, School of Public Health. Undertaking and leading collaborative research across the Sydney Health Literacy Lab, the Wiser Healthcare Research Collaboration, and the Daffodil Centre, Brooke's research focuses on evidence-based cancer communication and decision making, and the psychosocial impact of cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.
She is working with BreastScreen programs and services on research related to understanding the benefits, harms and clinical pathways of breast density notification in Australia. She leads the world’s first randomised controlled trial on breast density notification, aiming to ensure that changes to population-based cancer screening programs are evidence-based. This research is central to her broader cancer and health mission: helping the public and patients navigate health decisions by improving the clarity, accuracy, and transparency of health and medical information to ensure the best possible health outcomes for all.
Brooke is the current 2025 NSW Young Tall Poppy for her research excellence in cancer communication. The research she has led has been published in high impact international medical journals including The BMJ, MJA, JNCI and JAMA and Lancet series, and been featured in prestigious international media including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Conversation, the BBC and ABC.
Information about the award
The Outstanding Early Career Researcher Award honours an individual (up to 5 years post PhD completion) who has demonstrated exceptional research progress and accomplishment.
