Rate My Professor Antonina Mikocka-Walus

Antonina Mikocka-Walus is Professor of Health Psychology and Deputy Head of School in the School of Psychology at Deakin University. A registered psychologist, she earned her PhD in Psychology and Medicine from the University of Adelaide in 2008, MA in Psychology from the University of Warsaw in 2002, and MA in International Political Relations from the Warsaw School of Economics and Sciences Po Paris in 2003. She also holds a Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis from the Australian Society of Hypnosis and a Certificate in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy from Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Australia.

Her research specializes in psycho-gastroenterology, investigating brain-gut links in chronic gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, and chronic pelvic pain. She leads the Mind-Body Research in Health Laboratory at Deakin University, conducting randomized controlled trials of psychological interventions including cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based programs to improve disease outcomes, quality of life, and mental health. She has supervised 23 PhD students, 12 Masters students, and 44 Honours students. Her publications include 'Antidepressants in inflammatory bowel disease' (Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2020), 'Telehealth cognitive behavioural therapy improves health-related quality of life and pain in endometriosis: the Healing Pelvic Pain Intervention (HaPPI)' (Human Reproduction Open, 2026), and 'Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adults Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Distress' (American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2025). With over 11,450 citations and an h-index of 58, her work significantly influences the field.

Professionally, she progressed at Deakin University from Senior Lecturer (2016-2017) to Associate Professor (2018-2021) and Professor (2022-present). Previous roles include Senior Lecturer at the University of York (2013-2016), Senior Research Fellow at the University of South Australia (2011-2012), and Research Fellow at Monash University (2008-2009). She holds visiting senior positions at the Universities of York and Adelaide, and adjunct at the University of South Australia. Funding includes the $150,000 Angela McAvoy Fellowship (Crohn's & Colitis Australia, 2009) and multi-million-dollar Medical Research Future Fund grants.