Jeanette Thom

Professor Jeanette Thom is a Professor in Exercise Physiology and Director of Rehabilitation Sciences at the Sydney School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney. She holds a BSc(Hons) and PhD from the University of Sydney, with postdoctoral training at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, and academic roles at Bangor University, UK, and UNSW Sydney. Her research focuses on exercise implementation for the elderly and chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and dementia, aiming to optimize health and well-being in older populations. Key areas include joint health across the lifespan and exercise interventions for chronic conditions.

Teaching emphasizes musculoskeletal rehabilitation and exercise physiology, with leadership roles in ESSA accreditation and the Australian Council of Heads of Exercise, Sport and Movement Sciences (CHESMS). Her work is funded by grants from the UK's Economic and Social Research Council, Medical Research Council, and Australian bodies like Arthritis Australia. She has over 25 years of teaching experience and has supervised research students in areas like osteoarthritis health literacy and post-cardiac event exercise protocols.

Recent publications highlight her work with the IDEAL programme, examining dementia trajectories, caregiver experiences, and quality of life. Her research also addresses ballet training benefits for older women, classical ballet's health impacts, and digital health preferences in chronic kidney disease. She leads projects like the Agewell trial, promoting healthy aging through behavior change.