Dr. Sandra Garrido is a Senior Research Fellow at the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour & Development at Western Sydney University. Previously a NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellow (2016-2019) and Director of Academic Program in the School of Psychology (2020-2021), Garrido’s research focuses on the connection between personal music listening and mental health both in adolescents with depression and in older adults with dementia. Garrido leads two inter-disciplinary, cross-institutional research teams including synergistic partnerships with government and industry partners in co-creation of research-driven, arts-based solutions to mental health problems. In recent years her research has culminated in the development of a smartphone app to help young people use music to manage their moods and emotions (MoodyTunes) in collaboration with the NSW Ministry of Health and the Mental Health Commission of NSW, and the development of an online training course for aged care staff to understand how to use music as part of behaviour support plans for people living with dementia under their care. (www.musicfordementia.com.au). Dr Garrido also has a keen interest in promoting the implementation of music and arts-based programs in aged care against a backdrop of current challenges faced by the industry, as well as exploring best-practice methodologies for expanding the role of the arts in health systems in a multi-cultural country such as Australia.