Dawn Simpson

Dr. Dawn Simpson is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Newcastle, affiliated with the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing and the School of Health Sciences. She is an early-career researcher with HMRI’s Heart and Stroke Research Program and an Emerging Leader in the International Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Alliance. Her research focuses on post-stroke fatigue, sedentary behavior, and physical activity interventions for stroke survivors. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Teesside and a PhD in Medical Sciences from the University of Tasmania.

Dr. Simpson’s clinical experience spans over 20 years in Rehabilitation and Aged Care in the UK and Australia, including roles as a Senior Physiotherapist and Team Leader. Her translational research aims to improve stroke recovery outcomes through environmental enrichment models and co-designed interventions. She collaborates with over 15 international researchers and consumer partners to advance knowledge in stroke rehabilitation.

Research Interests:

• Post-stroke fatigue mechanisms and interventions
• Sedentary behavior patterns and physical activity promotion
• Health service models for stroke recovery
• Technology-enabled rehabilitation (e.g., telehealth, wearable devices)

Grants and Funding:

• Lead investigator in the ESTEEM After Stroke project ($1.5M), focusing on regional access to stroke rehab
• Co-investigator in multiple studies on post-stroke fatigue and cardiovascular risk reduction
• Recipient of National Stroke Foundation and NHMRC grants

Teaching and Supervision:

• Supervising two PhD students on post-stroke fatigue education and telehealth interventions

Labs and Teams:

• Member of HMRI’s Heart and Stroke Research Program
• Collaborator with the International Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Alliance