Debbie Pu

Debbie Pu is a Research Fellow at the School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, with a clinical background in speech-language pathology. Her research focuses on dysphagia, voice disorders, public health, and participatory research in aged care settings. She is actively involved in multiple interdisciplinary research projects related to virtual care, rehabilitation, and stakeholder engagement.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Dysphagia from the University of Hong Kong (2014–2019) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) in Speech Pathology from the University of Sydney (2009–2012).

Debbie's research interests span dysphagia, swallowing and voice disorders, rehabilitation, public health, aged care, and virtual care models. She emphasizes patient and community engagement in healthcare decision-making, particularly for older adults. Her work often involves instrumental assessments such as videofluoroscopy and endoscopy, and she contributes to public awareness through instructional videos and outreach programs like World Swallowing Awareness Day.

Her recent publications highlight trends in participatory health research, telehealth implementation, disinvestment in low-value care, and exercise-based interventions for swallowing. These works reflect a strong focus on clinical applicability, patient-centered outcomes, and health system innovation.

Scientific Awards:

• 2nd Runner Up, Visualise Your Thesis Competition, University of Hong Kong (2018)
• Finalist, 3 Minute Thesis Competition, University of Hong Kong (2018)
• Outstanding Paper Award, International Conference on Gerontechnology (2021)
• 1st Place, ECR Showcase Session – Rapid Fire, 2023

Debbie has been a Chief or Associate Investigator on multiple externally funded research projects, including initiatives on virtual emergency care and dysphagia screening using biosensors. She serves as a grant reviewer for Speech Pathology Australia, contributing to peer review and research quality assurance. She is currently accepting PhD students and supervising research through Monash’s Supervisor Connect platform.

She is actively involved in research networks and public engagement, contributing to blogs and media discussions on topics such as digital inclusion for older adults and the impact of research beyond citations. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals in health and well-being, particularly in aged care and public health innovation.