Stephanie Frade

Dr Stephanie Frade is a Postdoctoral Researcher affiliated with the Sydney School of Public Health (Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney) and Sydney Musculoskeletal Health. She completed her PhD on exercise safety in autoimmune diseases like Systemic Sclerosis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). Her work bridges clinical research, patient advocacy, and policy, with a focus on rheumatology and exercise physiology.

Education: PhD in Exercise Physiology (UniSQ). Research interests include systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, exercise interventions, consumer co-design, and multidisciplinary care. She has authored influential publications, including a Cochrane review and policy guidelines for Exercise is Medicine Australia and Scleroderma Australia.

• Key research areas: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Scleroderma, Myositis, and patient-centered care
• Leadership: Vice President of Scleroderma Association NSW and Director of Scleroderma Australia

Awards: 2023 Travel Award from the Australian Rheumatology Association for best oral abstract. Supervised two Honors students and collaborated internationally on Cochrane reviews. Her work has influenced clinic design, including a multidisciplinary scleroderma clinic at Liverpool Hospital with integrated exercise services.

Projects include telehealth exercise trials, qualitative studies on exercise barriers, and systematic reviews on rheumatoid arthritis care. She also engages in translational research, bridging clinical practice and patient advocacy through educational webinars and policy development.