After completing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at Otago Laurelle went on to complete a Master of Science in Neuroscience in the Department of Women's and Children's Health.
Laurelle continued her studies in the department with a PhD under the supervision of Associate Professor Barbara Galland (Department of Women's and Children's Health), Dr Julie Lawrence (Department of Women's and Children's Health) and Associate Professor Patrick Dawes (Department of Surgical Sciences).
Laurelle's PhD thesis was a combination of two parts under the overarching topic of problematic sleep and sleep disordered breathing in children. The first part explored the attitudes, opinions and feelings of mothers of pre-schoolers with problematic sleep through the use of qualitative methods and examined the effect a pre-schooler's poor sleep has on the mother, father and other family members. The second part assessed the value of a clinical screening tool in children with suspected sleep disordered breathing before and after surgical treatment.
Upon completing her thesis Laurelle has started working as a Research Analyst for The Salvation Army International Social Justice Commission in New York City where her role uses the research skills she acquired at Otago during her Master's and PhD studies.