Three Squares Lab
We specialize in translational psychology to understand and address challenges related to body image and eating behaviors, leveraging cutting-edge research in AI and human affect to create innovative solutions
At Three Squares Lab, our mission bridges the science of brain directed learning with real-world applications in body image, eating behaviours, health literacy, and human affect. Under Dr Raman’s mentorship, we blend neurocognitive interventions with evidence-based translational research to understand how brain processes interoceptive awareness that influence body image and eating behaviours.
At our lab, we also leverage AI and machine learning, enhancing detection to aid development of both preventative and clinical interventions in eating and body image concerns to help promote healthier behaviours grounded in in rigorous translational research with real-world impact.
Meet Dr Jay Raman
Academic Clinical Psychologist
Researcher | Founder, Three Squares Lab
Dr Jay is an academic clinical psychologist and researcher at the School of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle, and the Founder/Director of the Three Squares Lab. She also holds adjunct and conjoint academic appointment at Western Sydney University.
Her publications have been cited nearly 421 times by authors affiliated with over 160 institutions in over 68 countries, demonstrating the global reach and influence of her research.
Dr. Raman is ranked 4th in Australia (2019–2025) in scholarly output for Bariatric Surgery, Obesity, and Quality of Life.
Her national leadership is formally recognized through her appointment as an ARC Review Panel Member and various PhD confirmation and examination panels.
Research and Recognition
Dr Raman’s PhD, awarded in 2016, was funded by a prestigious NSW Institute of Psychiatry Fellowship and a competitive NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship. Her research on obesity and neurocognition has been internationally recognized, with findings contributing to a documented paradigm shift in the field. In 2023, she received CSIRO’s ON Prime award for high-impact research.
Her work is primarily published in Quartile 1 journals, reflecting high disciplinary impact and research quality. 421 publications have cited her 24 publications indexed in Scopus/SciVal. Authors on these citing publications are affiliated with over 160 institutions in 68 countries Three of her papers have been referenced in a international policy reports. She collaborates with researchers across seven countries and is the 4th highly ranked in Australia (2019–2025) in scholarly output for Bariatric Surgery, Obesity, and Quality of Life.
Advancing Psychology for Global Impact
Dr Jay’s research is aligned with pressing global health priorities.
22 of her publications contribute to three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
Zero Hunger
Good Health & Wellbeing
Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Her work reflects a commitment to addressing complex health challenges through evidence-based, translational research.
Real-World Influence
Dr Jay’s research has demonstrated sustained scholarly excellence and global relevance, with impact across policy, clinical practice, and academic benchmarks.
Highlights:
Policy Citations and Clinical Guidelines
Cited in the UK NICE Policy (2020) on obesity management
Informed French Ministry of Health policy (2019)
Referenced in Brazillian Clinical Guidelines (2017)
Her first-authored article, “A randomised controlled trial of manualized cognitive remediation therapy in adult obesity”, has been cited by Brazilian guideline “Clinical Protocol And Therapeutic Guidelines For Overweight And Obesity In Adults- Ministry of Health, 11 November 2020”
Collaborators
We are proud to work with collaborators such as Blacktown Hospital Metabolic & Weight Loss Clinic, and The Aquitaine Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience- INSERM, France & the University of Bordeaux.
Media Coverage
Featured in 30 news stories across global outlets including:
Reader’s Digest
The Medical News
Bariatric News
Imagine if you could lose weight by not just watching what you eat, but by how you think? New research by Jay Raman suggests the key to sustained weight loss lies with our 'executive function' - the ability to pay attention to details, plan, organise and make healthy decisions.
News Article on Hunter Medical Research Institute
Dr Jay contributes to teaching, research operations, postgraduate selection panels, HDR supervision, PhD thesis examinations, and scientific meeting coordination. She has led several postgraduate courses, including an intensive 7-day unit and the Adult Psychopathology course, both emphasizing translational learning from bench to practice.
She serves on the CESE college’s Research Fellowship Selection Committee and the ethics review panel at UoN. Her teaching spans research methods to advanced clinical skills, with a strong commitment to the scientist-practitioner model.
Teaching and Mentorship
At the Three Squares Eating Behaviours Lab, Dr Raman fosters a rich learning environment that encourages scientific curiosity and interest in body image and eating behaviours among individuals living with a high BMI. She remains actively engaged in clinical practice, public lectures, and media outreach.
Invited speeches
2024
Symposium Anchor: Future trends on cognitive remediation for eating disorders" The III Biennial Conference on Cognitive and Clinical Neuropsychology, Chennai, India
2023
Body Acceptance. Northlakes 8th graders
Ethics in Comminication with Individuals Living with Higher Body weight - The Wyong Hospital's Allied Health Team
2022
CCLHD Psychology Department - Professional Development Day
2021
Invited main speaker at the first Public Health Round Table; The Huazhong University of Science and Technology
