New CQU researcher Dr Karena Burke believes a personal investment in her projects makes it worthwhile "getting out of bed and coming to work each day".

Both of Dr Burke's major research interests intersect with her personal life experiences.

Dr Karena Burke

Her background as the daughter of an ambulance officer is relevant to her research into the stress and wellbeing of emergency and protective service officers.

And her own son's experiences with a high-level food intolerance has sparked her interest in how other children cope with the impact of food allergies and intolerances.

Dr Burke said she was keen to contact people throughout the wider CQ regional community interested in collaborating on her research topics.

She was recruited as part of the new Healthy Communities research flagship.

The former Taswegian has come to Queensland with her partner but is proud that she completed most of her student journey as a single mum.