Helen Massa

Assoc Prof Helen Massa is an Associate Professor at Griffith University's School of PAM - Anatomy Physiology Biology, located on the Gold Coast Campus. Her academic career spans over two decades, with roles including Head of School (2003-2007) and current Employability Lead for the Health Group. She holds a PhD and postgraduate qualifications in Surgical Anatomy, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Dr. Massa's research focuses on medical education innovation, anatomical sciences, and infectious disease pathogenesis. Notable projects include developing online modules for biochemistry labs using constructivist theories, translanguaging pedagogies for EAL students, and vaccines targeting otitis media. Her work bridges clinical science and education, addressing challenges in student transition and career readiness.

• Research interests: Educational technology, microbiology of ear infections, bone healing mechanisms, and employability-focused curriculum design
• Supervised 9 doctoral and masters projects, including studies on bilirubin metabolism, otitis media pathogens, and stress fracture repair
• Recipient of prestigious awards including the Australian Award for University Teaching (2018) and multiple Griffith Excellence in Teaching citations
• Lead over $200k in internal and external grants, including vaccine development for Indigenous children and projects on student transition programs

Her collaborative work has produced 56+ publications, with impactful contributions in journals like Journal of Educational Technology Systems, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, and Journal of Orthopaedic Research.