(They/Them)
Mx Rigel Paciente is currently a researcher working at The Kids Research Institute of Australia. They are currently researching working with vulnerable populations to help them recover from trauma but also improve the accessibility of mental health services. This includes young people who are experiencing (or have experienced) a traumatic medical condition such as living with Type 1 diabetes, young LGBTQA+ people, and young people from a refugee background.
Rigel began their research career during their Master of Public Health, where they completed a dissertation component in LGBTQA+ suicide prevention, which was followed by a research-based practicum into the usage of TikTok to communicate mental health outcomes and determinants by the LGBTQA+ community.
Rigel hopes to begin their PhD in 2025, which will investigate suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and self-injurious behaviours, in young people who are living with Type 1 Diabetes. Though relatively fresh to research, Rigel has developed a strong passion for research in all its forms, including research communication and dissemination.
Outside of his professional life, Rigel enjoys a platter of hobbies which include Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
