Darshini Ayton

Associate Professor Darshini Ayton is Deputy Head of the Health and Social Care Unit at Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. She holds an NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellowship (2021–2025) and leads research on aging, dementia prevention, and healthcare models spanning acute, community, and aged care sectors. Her work emphasizes qualitative methods, implementation science, and consumer involvement. She has secured major grants including NHMRC, ARC, and National Centre for Healthy Ageing funding.

Education: PhD (2013), MPH (2009), BSc (Hons) (2005), all from Monash University.

Research focuses on dementia diagnostics, chronic disease management, and improving quality of care for older adults. Key collaborations include health services, aged care providers, and industry partners.

Awards include the Henry Krum Award (2021), Teaching Excellence Award (2014), and Sir Richard Peto Prize (2015).

Current grants include leadership on projects addressing vaccine uptake barriers in aged care, cognitive decline interventions, and perioperative care for older patients. She oversees 45+ active and completed research projects since 2011.