Dr. Abby Haynes is a Research Fellow at the Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, affiliated with the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and Faculty of Medicine and Health. Her work focuses on physical activity for healthy ageing and people with disability, employing qualitative research, systems thinking, and realist evaluation. Key research themes include: Healthy Ageing Disability and Physical Activity Implementation Science Knowledge Mobilisation Her recent publications analyze: Inclusive sports programs for children with disability Fall prevention in acute hospitals Telehealth physiotherapy for aged care Realist evaluations of yoga and dance interventions Systems thinking in public health policy These emphasize public health, gerontology, and health equity approaches. Grants include MRFF-funded projects on traumatic brain injury rehabilitation (2024), fall prevention (2023), and aged care mobility (2022).
Dr. Alex Black is an Associate Professor in the School of Optometry & Vision Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Health. He serves as Course Coordinator for the Master of Optometry program and leads the Vision and Everyday Function research group within QUT's Centre for Vision and Eye Research. His expertise spans vision science, ageing-related vision decline, falls prevention, and driving safety. Dr. Black holds dual qualifications: a PhD in Vision Science (QUT, 2010) and a Masters of Public Health (University of Queensland, 2012). Teaching roles: Coordinates OP85 Master of Optometry program Research focus: Vision impairment impacts on mobility, driving safety, and academic performance Awards: FAAO (Fellow of American Academy of Optometry), FHEA (Fellow of Higher Education Academy) Research highlights include AUD $3.2 million in grants, over 100 publications, and contributions to international journals like Clinical & Experimental Optometry . His work bridges clinical practice and research, addressing real-world issues through innovative studies such as night-time pedestrian safety clothing design and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) usability for older adults. Key collaborations include NHMRC-funded projects on injury prevention and Vision and Driving research laboratory studies. Dr. Black also serves editorial roles for Clinical & Experimental Optometry and peer review activities.
Associate Professor Stephen Carter is an Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice at the University of Sydney's Sydney Pharmacy School within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. He serves as the Program Director for Undergraduate Pharmacy programs and is a registered pharmacist with clinical specialisation in medication management review. Stephen holds qualifications including BPharm, MSc, PhD, and Grad Cert Edu (Higher Ed). He is a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (FPS), Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and holds other professional accreditations. His research focuses on optimizing the role of pharmacists in healthcare, particularly examining how consumers and caregivers obtain and use medicines, designing effective pharmacist services, and supporting pharmacists throughout their professional journey. His work spans areas including osteoporosis care, medication adherence, service quality in community pharmacies, and the application of advanced statistical methods like Structural Equation Modelling. Stephen's publications demonstrate a strong focus on practical pharmacy interventions, with significant work on osteoporosis management services, perinatal depression screening in pharmacies, and digital health approaches to improve medication adherence. His research employs diverse methodologies including randomized controlled trials, qualitative studies, and advanced psychometric analyses. Early Career Investigator Award Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) for 2017 Lesmuller Award for Best Oral Communication - Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe Working Conference, Berlin, 2013 Recipient of the 2013 Annual Best Paper Award by Elsevier publication, Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy Best Poster Presentation Award: International Social Pharmacy Workshop, Boston, USA, 2014 Top reviewer, Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019) Stephen actively supervises several graduate students including PhD candidates Fatima Rezea, Steven Tran, Veronika Seda, Kingston Leung, and Joel Hillman, as well as MPhil student Linda Krogh. He has secured significant research funding, including co-leading a $2.36 million Randomized Controlled Trial and managing four current competitive grant-funded projects totaling over $6.3 million. His work has particular emphasis on translating research into practical pharmacy services that improve patient outcomes. Stephen is actively involved in major research initiatives including the #STOP trial (Safer medicines To reduce falls and refractures for OsteoPorosis) and the TICTOC trial (Timely post-discharge medication reviews to Improve Continuity – the Transitions Of Care stewardship), both focusing on innovative pharmacist-led interventions to improve medication safety and effectiveness.
Associate Professor Jenni Ilomaki holds a position at Monash University's Centre for Medicine Use and Safety. With expertise in clinical pharmacy, epidemiology, and public health, she leads a research group analyzing administrative claims data. Her work spans collaborations with governmental and non-governmental organizations globally, yielding over 150 peer-reviewed publications and $4 million in grants. She previously served as Chair of ASCEPT's Pharmacoepidemiology Special Interest Group and currently serves as Science Lead for the Monash Addiction Research Centre and Executive Editor of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Education includes a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) from the University of Kuopio (1999) and Master of Science (Pharmacy) from the University of Kuopio (2004). She completed a PhD in alcohol epidemiology at the University of Eastern Finland (2011) and a postdoc at the University of South Australia (2011-2014). Notable recognitions include Young Epidemiologist of the Year (2011) and the Ronald D. Mann Best Paper Award (2021). Key research focuses on quality use of medicines, medicine safety, large population studies, and innovative epidemiological methods. Major projects include developing clinical decision support tools for cardiovascular prevention, analyzing preventable hospitalizations in aged care, and investigating psychotropic medication trends in youth. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health equity and non-communicable disease reduction. Recent publications emphasize drug repurposing (e.g., SGLT2 inhibitors), opioid prescribing patterns, hip fracture outcomes, and dementia detection algorithms. She chairs multinational studies on stroke and myocardial infarction cost burdens, demonstrating interdisciplinary impact across pharmacology, epidemiology, and health economics.
Dr. Michael Stevens is a Senior Lecturer at University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra , where he focuses on advanced manufacturing and biomedical device control systems . His work bridges digital manufacturing for SMEs with smart artificial heart technologies , emphasizing industry collaboration and translational research. Specializes in physiological control systems for rotary blood pumps Develops unobtrusive fall detection systems for dementia patients Leads international projects on total artificial heart development Education : B.Eng (Medical - First Class Honours), Queensland University of Technology (2010) PhD in Physiological Control for Biventricular Assist Devices, University of Queensland (2014) Research Trends show consistent focus on: Machine learning for biomedical diagnostics (2018–2025) mmWave radar and thermal sensors in patient monitoring (2021–2024) Computational fluid dynamics in artificial heart modeling (2016–2024) Physiological control algorithms for rotary blood pumps (2011–2025) Scientific Awards : UNSW Scientia Education Award (2021) for contextual teaching Heart Foundation Runner-up for "Smart Artificial Hearts" pitch (2021) ARC PGC Supervisor Award (2017) for mentoring Grants & Supervision : Holds over $6 million in competitive funding including MRFF and ARC grants. Currently supervises 4 PhD students while maintaining industry partnerships with VitalCare and BiVACOR. Labs & Facilities : Works across UNSW Engineering labs and Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering platforms, including mock circulation loops and high-performance computing clusters for CFD simulations.
Dr. Maryam Ghahramani is a Senior Lecturer in AI & Robotics at the Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Canberra, Australia. She holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Shiraz University, Iran, and a PhD in Biometric Gait Analysis from the University of Wollongong, Australia. Biomedical Engineering Researcher Machine Learning Specialist Human Motion Analysis Expert Her research focuses on applying machine learning to human motion analysis for rehabilitation purposes, particularly in three key areas: Parkinson's Disease: Using fNIRS and machine learning for disease detection and motor function assessment Fall Prevention: Analyzing postural sway and risk of falls in older adults Spatial Disorientation: Studying balance in hypoxic aviation environments Recent publications demonstrate her work at the intersection of biomedical engineering, machine learning, and clinical rehabilitation. Current projects include: Young Onset Dementia Detection with 12-week Home-Based Exercise Programs Mild Hypoxia Analysis for Aviation Safety Balancing Mat Performance Evaluation
Amabile Borges Dario is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Sydney's School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School. Her research focuses on musculoskeletal pain, sedentary behavior impacts, and public health interventions. With 8 years of tertiary teaching experience in physiotherapy, she has collaborated internationally, including with Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil. Current research student Annie Thien-an is investigating patient-centered communication in physiotherapy education. Research Themes: Obesity, Diabetes, Healthy Ageing, Musculoskeletal Health, E-Health. Keywords: Child Health, Family Studies, Pain Management, Musculoskeletal Disorders. Key Research Contributions: - Systematic reviews on spinal pain in children, telehealth for low back pain, and diabetes-musculoskeletal links. - Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies on twin cohorts to explore genetic/environmental risk factors. International Collaboration: - Prof Ligia Loiola (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), focusing on musculoskeletal disorders. Advising & Grants: - Supervising Annie Thien-an's master's project. - No explicit grants listed, but research spans multiple funded projects. Labs/Teams: - Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders research group at Sydney Medical School.
Dr. Anna Hatton is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences , The University of Queensland. As Co-Director of the UQ Centre for Neurorehabilitation, Ageing and Balance Research and Associate Editor for Gait & Posture , she leads interdisciplinary research into sensory-based rehabilitation technologies. Her work bridges clinical practice with engineering innovation, focusing on footwear devices for balance enhancement. Research themes: novel textured/vibratory insoles , neurological gait analysis , age-related mobility Key funding: NHMRC IDEAS Grants , Bionics Queensland Challenge , Diabetes Australia , PA Research Foundation Her Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2016) recognizes contributions to plantar sensory stimulation. Current supervised projects explore bionic insole neurophysiology , combat sports injury prevention , and sport performance optimization . Media engagements focus on electromyography , sensorimotor function , and footwear interventions .
Dr. Nafiseh Khalaj is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Queensland's School of Public Health, specializing in mixed-methods health research focused on cancer screening programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Her work intersects Indigenous health equity, musculoskeletal biomechanics, and chronic injury management. Education: PhD in Biomechanics (2019) from The University of Queensland's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, with earlier research in musculoskeletal disorders and pediatric motor skills. Research interests include: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health disparities, chronic ankle instability, osteoarthritis biomechanics, and orthotic interventions for spinal deformities. She employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to address health inequities and musculoskeletal dysfunction. Publications span 12 journal articles and 3 conference papers, with recent work emphasizing Indigenous health advocacy and housing determinants of wellbeing. Active in collaborative programs like the First Nations Cancer & Wellbeing Research Program. Advising and grants: No formal advisees listed, though involved in multidisciplinary research teams. Grants not explicitly detailed in provided materials. Labs/Teams: Core member of the First Nations Cancer & Wellbeing Research Program, contributing to culturally responsive healthcare initiatives.
Professor Barbara Singer is a Professor of Neurological Rehabilitation at Edith Cowan University’s School of Medical and Health Sciences. With over 30 years of clinical and academic experience, she previously led a postgraduate program in neurological rehabilitation at the University of Western Australia (2004–2016). She currently teaches in the NRB5112 Translational Science course. Her education includes a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Western Australia (2003) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences from Curtin University (1988). As a Neurological Physiotherapist, she is an Honoured member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. Barbara’s research focuses on spasticity management, stroke rehabilitation, functional neurological disorders, and self-management strategies for neurological conditions. Notable contributions include clinical practice guidelines for lateropulsion management and studies on constraint-induced movement therapy implementation. Her awards include the 2010 WA Branch President’s Award (Australian Physiotherapy Association) and the 2023 Honoured Membership (Australian Physiotherapy Association). She has supervised numerous PhD and master’s students, focusing on topics like lateropulsion in stroke recovery and functional neurological disorders.
Ilana Ackerman is a Research Professor in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, and Deputy Director of the Musculoskeletal Health Unit. She holds adjunct roles at La Trobe University and serves on international editorial boards for journals like Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes and Journal of Physiotherapy . Her research focuses on musculoskeletal epidemiology, osteoarthritis burden projections, and patient-reported outcomes in joint replacement surgery. Dr. Ackerman earned a Doctor of Philosophy (2006) and a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) (1996) from the University of Melbourne. She has received prestigious fellowships, including the NHMRC Public Health Early Career Fellowship and a Victorian Health and Medical Research Fellowship. Her work emphasizes osteoarthritis clinical care standards, including contributions to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s Osteoarthritis of the Knee Clinical Care Standards and the Victorian Model of Care for Osteoarthritis. She co-chairs the International Society of Arthroplasty Registries’ Patient-Reported Outcomes Working Group and advises the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry. Recent research highlights include projecting arthritis burden trends in Australia, evaluating exercise therapy programs, and analyzing VTE prophylaxis efficacy post-arthroplasty. Her 15+ awards recognize contributions to musculoskeletal epidemiology and clinical research training. Active in over 25 research projects, she collaborates globally on initiatives like the HERknee CRE to prevent knee injury and osteoarthritis burden. Grants include NHMRC, HCF Research Foundation, and Arthritis Australia funding. She is dedicated to training clinical researchers and fostering clinician engagement to improve arthritis care quality.
Dr. Nathalia Costa is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland's cLinical TRials cApability (ULTRA), located within the Centre for Clinical Research in Herston, and affiliated with the Centre for Innovation in Pain and Health Research (CIPHeR). She holds appointments in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. Her research focuses on theoretically grounded qualitative and mixed methods approaches to understanding low back pain, pain management, and healthcare systems. Costa is particularly known for her groundbreaking work on low back pain flares, which established the first rigorous definition of pain flares through stakeholder engagement with over 70 experts and consumers. Her methodological expertise spans systematic reviews, qualitative methodologies (interviews, ethnography, Delphi studies), embedding qualitative research in clinical trials, and systems-thinking frameworks. Costa's recent publications demonstrate a growing focus on culturally responsive care, healthcare access for migrant populations, and the intersection of legal services with mental health. Her work bridges micro-level patient experiences with macro-level healthcare systems, aiming to make pain care more nuanced, equitable, and evidence-based. She has published over 55 papers spanning musculoskeletal conditions, pain research, health policy, and qualitative methodologies. Her scientific achievements include the 2021 ISSLS Prize for Lumbar Spine Research, recognition from the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine. Her research has influenced international pain frameworks, including adoption by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) in their online Fact Sheet (July 2023). Costa actively supervises multiple PhD students, serves as Associate Editor for Qualitative Health Research and the Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation, and has taught across disciplines including research methods, musculoskeletal physiotherapy, and health policy. She has secured over AUD$7.5M in research funding, currently leading the FORENSIC trial investigating lumbar fusion surgery effectiveness for persistent severe low back pain.
Professor Sandy Brauer, Deputy Executive Dean at The University of Queensland's Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation, aging, and balance disorders. Her work focuses on improving postural control, gait, and physical activity in stroke survivors and individuals with neurological conditions. Executive Leadership: Deputy Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences Research Center: Director of Centre for Neurorehabilitation, Ageing and Balance Research Her research addresses impaired postural control's devastating impacts, developing physiotherapy techniques and cost-effectiveness analyses for clinical translation. Current themes include: Post-stroke physical activity recovery Dual-task training for Parkinson's patients Community mobility challenges SMART Arm device for stroke rehabilitation Hospital fall prevention Professor Brauer's recent work explores digital health implementations, machine learning for rehabilitation outcomes, and sensory impairments in neurological populations. She actively supervises PhD candidates in movement science and biomechanics. Key affiliations include: Queensland University Technology collaborations Sonova AG research on hearing-loss balance issues NHMRC and ARC funded projects
Natasha Brusco is an Associate Professor (Research) and Director of the Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre at Monash University. She holds a PhD and has 20 years of experience as a senior physiotherapist and health service leader. Her academic career focuses on rehabilitation, health economics, and innovative cost-effective healthcare models. She is also a Health Economics and Evaluation consultant across government and healthcare sectors. Dr. Brusco leads three major programs: the My Therapy self-management program (increasing rehabilitation participation), the RAISE program (reducing staff injuries and patient falls), and weekend rehabilitation services (reducing costs and improving outcomes). She collaborates widely, leading or co-investigating 18 projects, including evaluations of assistive technology and falls prevention. Her research interests span rehabilitation economics, gerontology, and healthcare policy. She has received awards for her work, including the CoLab Excellence in Injury Management Award and FMNHS Dean's Award. Dr. Brusco actively engages in conferences and advisory roles, contributing to global initiatives like the World Health Organization's assistive technology roster.
Professor Lynn Meuleners is a Senior Principal Research Fellow at the Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research (WACRSR) and holds roles as a Senior Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Psychological Science and a Senior Principal Research Fellow in the UWA Law School at The University of Western Australia (UWA). With over 21 years of experience as an epidemiologist in road safety, her work focuses on data linkage, older drivers, driver simulation, road safety policy, and fatigue in heavy vehicle drivers. She has a PhD from Curtin University and an MSc from the University of Manchester. Her extensive collaborations include institutions such as the Department of Health WA, Main Roads WA, WA Police, and the Road Safety Commission. She has secured significant funding, including grants from the NHMRC, ARC, and others, totaling over $2 million. Notable projects include studies on cataract surgery’s impact on falls and drug driving deterrence regimes. Her research interests span road safety interventions, older driver safety, and the application of driving simulators. She has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and technical reports, contributing to policy changes nationally and internationally. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to road safety and public health. Current initiatives include the eFOVID study examining visual field disorders and crash risk, as well as projects on cycling infrastructure safety and personalized feedback systems to reduce road crashes among young drivers.
