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Julia Rosa Bak

Research Assistant/PhD Student

Julia Rosa Bak

Research Assistant/PhD Student

BA (Hons)

julia.bak@thekids.org.au

Julia Rose Bak is a Research Assistant and PhD student under the supervision of Dr Penelope Strauss, Dr Blake Cavve, Dr Michael English, Professor Jeneva Ohan and Professor Helen Milroy AM at The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia. Their PhD aims to understand trans and gender diverse young people’s experiences of dissociation.

Julia has worked across a range of projects related to LGBTQA+ mental health promotion, with a particular focus on LGBTQA+ suicide prevention, under the supervision of Dr Strauss in the Youth Mental Health team. They previously worked on the GENTLE (GENder idenTity Longitudinal Experience) Cohort study in collaboration with the Gender Diversity Service at Perth Children’s Hospital.

Julia holds a Bachelor of Psychology (with Honours) from Monash University. Outside of research, Julia is a skilled facilitator, public speaker, and lived experience advocate, with a commitment to improving mental health outcomes for all marginalised peoples.

Projects

Trans Pathways 2

Trans Pathways is set to receive an update ahead of the ten-year anniversary of the release of this seminal study from The Kids Research Institute Australia.

Learn more about Trans Pathways 2

December 2025

The impact of top surgery: a longitudinal cohort study of dysphoria, mental health, and quality of life of trans Australians following top surgery

This project aims to investigate the long-term impacts of top surgery – a term encompassing both chest reconstructive surgery and breast augmentation – on gender dysphoria, mental health, well-being and quality of life in trans and gender diverse individuals.

Learn more about The impact of top surgery: a longitudinal cohort study of dysphoria, mental health, and quality of life of trans Australians following top surgery

April 2025

Published research

Assessing the feasibility of delivering safeTALK to young people experiencing homelessness

Young Australians experiencing homelessness are at elevated risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. LivingWorks’ safeTALK training teaches people the necessary skills for responding to someone thinking of suicide, including how to connect them with further support.

Published research Youth Mental Health Youth mental health Mental health Self-harm
Learn more about Assessing the feasibility of delivering safeTALK to young people experiencing homelessness

June 2026