معرفی
Melissa Abela is a Lecturer in Dementia at the University of Tasmania's Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre. With over two decades of experience in academia and clinical occupational therapy, her work focuses on dementia care, palliative care, physical activity interventions, and dementia risk reduction.
- Education: PhD in Exercise and Sport Science (University of Technology Sydney), Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (First Class Honours, University of Technology Sydney), Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy, University of Sydney)
Her research includes national collaborations on evidence-based dementia care programs. She supervises Higher Degree by Research students and co-leads the Translational Research Meeting group at the Wicking Centre.
Recent publications highlight her work on:
- Namaste Care implementation in residential aged care
- Post-diagnostic dementia support systems
- Dementia risk reduction through physical activity
- End-of-life care education
Awarded the Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship, she has secured grants from Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia and the Tasmania Department of Health for dementia care projects.
- Key Collaborations: Karacsony S, Eccleston C, Pavkovic S, Goldberg LR