Introducing Gypsy O’Dea – another one of our lovely Gen3 staff members who you might encounter on the phones…
Q1) How long have you been involved with the ATP?
“I have been part of the ATP team for nearly a year now – firstly as an Honours student and more recently in an ongoing role speaking with participants on the phone, which I really enjoy.”
Q2) What is your favourite part about your role with the ATP?
“I love the regular contact with our wonderful participants who are so generous in sharing the highs and lows of their lives with us. I also really value being part of such a supportive and hard-working team here at the ATP Gen3 study.”
Q3) What is the hardest thing about your role?
“While we are incredibly privileged to be able to share in some of the details of our participants’ lives, this means that we hear of the losses and challenges some have faced since we last contacted them. Our participants have been with the ATP for a very long time, so when they let us know about a serious illness, the loss of a family member, or other challenging events that may have happened in their lives, it is impossible not to be touched by their experiences.”
Q4) How do you think the ATP is making a difference?
“The ATP is contributing enormously to knowledge and understanding of intergenerational influences on social, emotional, and physical development, which ultimately improves outcomes for individuals and families. The ATP also provides opportunities for the education of students and early career researchers, supporting the development of the next generation of scientists and health professionals who will be able to continue the amazing work of the ATP and similar projects into the future.”
Q5) When you are not at work, how do you relax?
“I am balancing my ATP work with post-graduate studies in Psychology, and a very busy family life with my husband and three children, so relaxing is pretty rare for me at this point in my life! I am usually very happy being busy, but my favourite time of year is our annual summer holiday to Victoria’s Bass Coast, where we enjoy two wonderful weeks of lazy mornings, family board games, reading, sunny beach days, coastal walks, and precious time with family and friends.”
