Tech Founder Interview Series - Justine Gatt

Tell us a bit more about your background.

Born and bred in Sydney, I obtained my PhD in Psychology from the University of Sydney in 2005. I completed my postdoctoral research position at the Brain Dynamics Centre at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research at the University of Sydney. I was based at Westmead for about 9 years, and during my time there, I developed my expertise in neuroscience research in mental health, spanning anxiety and depression before I spear-headed the focus on wellbeing and resilience.

I led Australia’s first neuroscience research program in the wellbeing and resilience neuroscience field, achieving world-first advancements in predictive methodologies and wellbeing promotion strategies. These achievements were recognised with the Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award for Excellence in Medical Research and the NHMRC Excellence Award for Top Ranked Applicant in 2014.

At the heart of my work is the dual-continua model of mental health, which challenges the view that mental health is solely the absence of illness. To advance this, I developed the COMPAS-W scale—a scientifically validated tool measuring both hedonia and eudaimonia across the lifespan. This scale outperforms existing distress-based measures in detecting both risk and flourishing, even in the presence of mental illness.

I also led the TWIN-10 Study, a ground-breaking 12-year longitudinal neuroscience cohort tracking 1,600 adult twins. We identified novel genetic, environmental, and brain-based markers of wellbeing using cognitive, EEG, and MRI platforms and are now building predictive neural profiles of resilience to support personalised mental health interventions.

One example of my translation projects is ReNeuWell®, a wellbeing app for the general adult population. This app incorporates the COMPAS-W scale and evidence-based strategies to help promote wellbeing, based on an individual’s profile.

Introduce your product and give us your elevator pitch!

ReNeuWell is a science-backed wellbeing app designed to help individuals track, understand, and actively improve their mental wellbeing. Born from over 20 years of neuroscience and mental health research, ReNeuWell offers a personalised wellbeing profile using our validated COMPAS-W scale, then tailors evidence-based strategies to help users build resilience, boost mood, and support recovery. Whether you're navigating stress, seeking better balance, or enhancing long-term mental fitness, ReNeuWell brings cutting-edge research into the palm of your hand — empowering you to thrive, not just survive.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is bridging the gap between research and real-world application — taking complex scientific insights and turning them into tools that are accessible, engaging, and actually used by the people who need them. It’s not just about the science; it’s about navigating systems, gaining trust, securing funding, and aligning with the right collaborators. There were times I felt pulled between academic expectations and my drive to innovate and translate. But each challenge taught me resilience — the very thing I study — and reinforced my belief that research only has power when it reaches people’s lives.

What was one of the most interesting (or useful) things you learned this year?

One of the most interesting things I’ve learned this year is just how powerful it is to see years of research come to life in ways that truly help people. Building the ReNeuWell app has been a deeply humbling experience — not just as a scientist, but as a person. I’ve learned that even the most rigorous science can feel distant until it’s translated into something people can connect with and use in their daily lives. Seeing users reflect on their wellbeing, take small steps, and feel understood — that’s reminded me why I started this journey in the first place.

What advice would you give to someone trying to follow your footsteps?

Stay deeply connected to your purpose. Science and innovation can be tough, slow, and full of setbacks — but if you’re driven by a genuine desire to make a difference, that purpose will keep you going. Be curious, be kind, and surround yourself with people who challenge and support you in equal measure. And don’t be afraid to take your work beyond the lab — the most rewarding part of my journey has been translating research into real-world tools that help people thrive. Impact doesn’t happen by staying in one lane — it happens when you’re bold enough to build bridges.

Something you do weekly that you love

Every week, I make time to check in with my team — not just on the work, but on how they’re really doing. These conversations, whether formal or spontaneous, remind me why I love what I do. They’re a chance to connect, support, and see ideas come to life in a collaborative way. I also carve out time for pilates, meditation, and dinner with friends — it’s my reset button. It clears my mind, sparks creativity, and often, that’s when the best ideas for next steps come to me.

What’s next for your project?

The next big step for ReNeuWell is launching our clinical trial — and it’s a crucial one. While we’ve built the app on a strong foundation of validated research, this trial will formally test its effectiveness in improving wellbeing and resilience in real-world settings. It’s an essential milestone not just for credibility, but to ensure we’re delivering meaningful, measurable outcomes for users. I’ve always believed in bridging science and practice — and this trial is where those worlds come together. It’s about proving that digital tools like ReNeuWell can truly support mental health at scale, with the same rigour we expect from clinical programs.