Jodie Marquez

Jodie Marquez is an Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle, School of Health Sciences, where she serves as the Director of Research Ethics and Integrity within the Office of the PVC (Pro Vice-Chancellor) for Research. With a background as a physiotherapist with over 20 years of experience in neurological rehabilitation, she combines clinical expertise with academic leadership to advance research integrity and ethical practices at the university.

Her educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Physiotherapy, a Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion, and a Master of Applied Management (Health), all obtained from the University of Newcastle. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching, which supports her role as an educator in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy Program.

Dr. Marquez's research primarily focuses on neurological rehabilitation, with particular expertise in electrical brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and its applications in stroke rehabilitation. Her work extends to understanding mood disorders and fatigue following stroke, as well as exploring adjunct therapies including mirror therapy, exercise therapy, and hippotherapy. More recently, her research has expanded into the use of robotic exoskeletons for neurorehabilitation and the development of objective assessments for walking aid prescription in balance-impaired individuals. Her scholarly contributions span rehabilitation science, neurology, and physiotherapy, with a strong emphasis on translating research findings into clinical practice.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory in rehabilitation research with evolving focus areas. While maintaining her core interest in stroke rehabilitation and neurological recovery, she has expanded into interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly in the areas of pharmacist-physiotherapist collaboration in sport and exercise medicine, digital health applications for women's health, and innovative assessment tools for balance impairment and walking aid prescription. Her work demonstrates a progression from basic neurological rehabilitation techniques toward more complex, technology-assisted interventions and interdisciplinary healthcare models.

• Neural mechanisms underpinning the effects of cognitive load on postural stability with ageing ($5,000 grant from University of Newcastle)

As an educator, Dr. Marquez coordinates and lectures in several Physiotherapy courses within the neurological specialization of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy Program. She actively supervises numerous honors students and research higher degree (RHD) candidates each year, contributing to the development of the next generation of rehabilitation professionals. Her teaching approach integrates her extensive clinical experience with current research evidence, creating a rich learning environment for students. With fluency in Spanish and English, she brings a multicultural perspective to her teaching and research activities.

Dr. Marquez leads initiatives in research ethics and integrity at the university level, developing and implementing programs to ensure research is conducted responsibly and ethically. Her role involves providing expert advice on current and emerging issues across research portfolios, proactively driving a positive research culture, and designing researcher education programs. She has secured multiple research grants totaling $88,613, demonstrating her ability to attract funding for innovative rehabilitation research.