News and Events

Congratulations to our recent PhD Graduates!

• Dr Chris Pitt: 'What influence does personal culture have on organisation culture and individual leadership style' - Supervised by Prof Aunty Kerrie Doyle, Prof Janette Perz, Prof Elias Mpofu
• Dr Deena Mehjabeen: 'Mental Health Self-Care Strategies among Arabic-speaking Refugees and Migrants' - Supervised by A/Prof Shameran Slewa-Younan, A/Prof Ilse Blignault, Dr Nicola Reavley (external), Prof Perjan Hashim Taha (external)
• Dr Sinead Day: 'The effectiveness of residential treatment for eating disorders and trauma as a moderator of treatment outcomes' - Supervised by Prof Deb Mitchison, Prof Phillipa Hay, Prof Kathy Tannous
• Dr Scott Fatt: 'Understanding disordered eating, body image, and eating disorders in athletes' - Supervised by Prof Deb Mitchison, Prof Phillipa Hay, and A/Prof Emma George
• Dr Catherine Sinclair: 'From the Heights of the Light to the First Stages of New Life: Adults’ Pre and Perinatal Regression Experiences in a Meditation-Based Somatic Psychotherapy' - Supervised by Prof Jane Ussher, Prof Janette Perz, Prof Sheridan Linnell, Dr Alex Hawkey.
• Dr Sandra Marjanovic: 'Reducing Lung Cancer Stigma in Healthcare Settings to Improve Quality of Care' - Supervised by A/Prof Kate McBride, A/Prof Tara Roberts, Prof Andrew Page, Dr Emily Stone (UNSW)
• Dr Laura Kiely: 'Understanding Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa (SEAN)' - Supervised by Prof Phillipa Hay, A/Prof Janet Conti

PHAA Conference

Faculty of Health academics and THRI PhD students had the fantastic opportunity to share their work and network at the Public Health Association Australia (PHAA) Conference. Here’s a taster of their contributions:

• Dr Lucy Ngaihbanglovi Pachuau (opens in a new window) (SoHS) presented her research on illicit drug use among older Australians and discussed important emerging public health challenges and policy implications relating to illicit drug use. The conference provided valuable opportunities to engage with academics, practitioners, and policymakers, strengthen professional networks, and gain insights into current public health research and practice.
• Dr Shirin Mumu (opens in a new window) (SoM, THRI) presented findings from the SAHAY study, highlighting cardiometabolic and mental health risks among South Asian migrants in Australia. Findings showed psychological distress during settlement, cardiometabolic risks with longer residence, and better mental health with moderate physical activity, reinforcing the need for culturally tailored prevention strategies.
• Dr Raksha Pandya-Wood (opens in a new window) (SoM, THRI) showcased climate and health research from Indonesia and Malaysia, highlighting the need to reclaim women’s voices in setting research priorities. Her presentation championed co-production and epistemic justice as essential to developing more equitable and impactful climate-health-policy solutions across the Indo-Pacific region.
• Jessica McDowell, THRI PhD candidate, presented findings from a review of chronic disease prevention in hospital care, highlighting why effective interventions rarely become routine. She introduced four domains for assessing integration readiness, including whether prevention reaches people facing the greatest barriers, to help identify what health services need to make prevention more accessible and sustainable.
• Farjana Aovi, THRI PhD candidate, represented the PHAA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Special Interest Group as both a delegate and committee member. Supported by the Franklin Women Award 2026 and a PHAA NSW Branch Scholarship, she engaged with public health leaders from across Australia, contributing to discussions on health equity, migrant health, and inclusive approaches to public health practice.

PPDP Celebrates Success at the SPHERE 10 Years of Impact Awards

Congratulations to The Pasifika Preventing Diabetes Programme (PPDP) team, who won the Partnership & Collaboration Award at the SPHERE 10 Years of Impact Awards which highlight outstanding contributions from across the Partnership, showcasing research that is improving patient outcomes, strengthening health services, and addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities.

The PPDP team were also runner-up of the Equity in Health Impact Award, which recognises research, partnerships or programs that reduce inequities in access to care and health outcomes for priority populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and other underserved groups.

Congratulations, Professor David Simmons, (opens in a new window) on your outstanding leadership and unwavering support of the PPDP Program. A heartfelt congratulations and thank you also to Ronda Thompson, Valentina Naumovski, and the entire PPDP team as well as the students who have contributed to its success. The dedication, commitment and passion you have shown throughout the years of this project are truly remarkable.

The work you have undertaken has made a meaningful and lasting difference to the Pasifika community. The progress and impact achieved through PPDP are a wonderful reflection of what can happen when people come together with a shared commitment to improving health and creating better outcomes for communities. Your contribution, leadership and perseverance are deeply valued, and the legacy of this work will continue to benefit generations to come.

International Study Experience

by Tamima, THRI PhD Candidate

I was lucky to spend the last few weeks in England participating in summer school and sharing my research with international peers and colleagues. I was a student at Brasenose College (Oxford) studying ‘Economics, Policy and society in a (de)globalised world.’ It was a surreal experience learning from, and with, brilliant minds in such a historic institution.

In London, I also met with colleagues from Refugee Education UK and the Refugee Law Initiative, who generously shared their expertise and time with me. These conversations have helped me better understand the different approaches and models for supporting refugee-background students across the United Kingdom and Continental Europe, and reflect on our own model in NSW.

Thank you to THRI and the CSIRO Next Gen program for helping fund and facilitate this deeply rewarding and insightful trip!

NSW Health Translational Research Grants Scheme Success

Congratulations to Dr Gladis Kabil (opens in a new window) (SoNM, THRI) and Dr Pramod Chandru (staff specialist, Nepean ED) who have received a NSW Health Translational Research Grant worth $499,791.

Their research aims to implement a real-time Sepsis risk AI algorithm for Emergency department WAITing rooms (SAFE-WAIT) model to recognise and manage sepsis early.

THRI 3MT Competition 2026

The THRI 3MT heat was contested on 21st July at Campbelltown Campus. Presenters attended training and workshops in the leadup to the event. Hearty congratulations to all of the presenters who participated and spoke about their health research. Our judging panel comprised Tim Ussherwood, Emeritus Professor of General Practice (USYD), Senior Research Fellow Shiva Mishra from School of Medicine and SWSLHD and Senior Research Fellow Elizabeth Conroy from School of Medicine. After intense deliberation, Gayani Bandusena Sirinaga was deemed the winner, Tamima Rahman the people's choice, and Sarah Hirst an honorable mention.

We wish to thank all of the participants, our judges, and the audience both online and in person, who took time to hear about the exciting research our students are undertaking.

WHO iSupport project funding success

Associate Professor Rita Chang (opens in a new window) (SoNM, THRI) has been awarded a Partnership Grant (AUD $15,693) for the project titled “Adapting the Korean iSupport for Dementia Program for Use in Australia: Stakeholder Perspectives”. This project is a collaboration with Professor Lily Xiao from Flinders University, Dr Myonghwa Park from Chungnam National University, South Korea, and other project partners.

Associate Professor Chang and Professor Xiao have worked together for several years to develop and implement the iSupport online education program for carers of people living with dementia, with versions now available in nine languages. The newly funded project will focus on adapting the Korean iSupport program for use in Australia. Through stakeholder engagement and consultation, the project aims to better support Korean-speaking carers of people living with dementia and improve access to culturally appropriate dementia education and support resources.

Seed Grant Funding Success

Dr Afsaneh Lahooti (opens in a new window) (SoS, THRI) has secured $46,000 in funding through the ECS Sandpit Seed Grant Program offered by the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science at Western Sydney University.

As the lead investigator, Afsaneh will be leading an interdisciplinary research project titled:

"Advanced MRI Radiomics Modelling for Preoperative Prediction of Axillary Lymph Node Status to Guide Surgical Planning in Breast Cancer."

Congratulations on your Graduation

Dr Rebekah Rankin

Supervised by: Dr Janet Conti, A/Prof Lucie Ramjan & Prof Phillipa Hay

Thesis Topic: 'It takes a village: exploring people's lived experiences of residential treatment for an eating disorder'.

ASPOG 2026

Congratulations to Dr Rosalie Power, (opens in a new window) who was awarded the Best Paper Award at the Australasian Sexual Health Conference (ASPOG) for her Across the Margins study.

This research explores the sexual health and healthcare needs of LGBTQA+ people with disability, a critically underrepresented area in both research and practice. By centering lived experience, the study aims to inform the development of a more inclusive and responsive model of sexual healthcare. This recognition highlights both the significance of the research and the collaborative contributions of participants, community partners, and colleagues involved in the project.

Find out more (opens in a new window)

Researcher of the Year

Congratulations to Professor Alison Downham Moore (opens in a new window) (SoA, THRI) for receiving the VC’s Excellence in Research Award | Researcher of the Year at the 2025 VC Excellence awards this week.

This award is for research undertaken by an academic staff member who is considered an outstanding researcher. It acknowledges the very best research achievement at the University with demonstrable impact which extends beyond the institution.

Congratulations Dr Raksha Pandya-Wood on your selection to the WHTRN Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program

By Dr Raksha Panya-Wood (opens in a new window) (SoM,THRI)

I am delighted to have been selected as a Fellow in the Women in Leadership Scholarship Program for Mid‑Career Researchers. This opportunity represents an important step in strengthening my development as a climate and health researcher and as a public health teaching leader at Western Sydney University.

The program’s focus on leadership capability, strategic career planning, and communicating research for impact will directly enhance my work at the intersection of climate, health, and community engagement. As an interdisciplinary researcher committed to co‑production and inclusive research practice, the fellowship will help me refine how I lead collaborative projects, mentor emerging researchers, and translate complex climate and health challenges into meaningful action with communities.

I look forward to bringing these strengthened leadership skills back into my teaching and research at Western supporting students, partners, and colleagues as we work together toward healthier, climate‑resilient futures.

Australian Awards for University Teaching

Dr Rocco Cavaleri (opens in a new window) (SoHS, THRI) has been awarded the AAUT Teaching Excellence Award which recognises ‘Australia’s most outstanding university teachers who have demonstrated excellent leadership through sustained commitment to innovation, delivery of quality teaching and sustained dedication to improve the student experience and learning outcomes in higher education’.

Dr Rocco Cavaleri is committed to cultivating learning environments for Physiotherapy students that stretch and engage them intellectually, while fostering equity, support, and lasting confidence. To achieve this, he has led initiatives that harness technological innovation grounded in experiential, problem based learning. These initiatives emphasise scaffolded, authentic practice to prepare students for high stakes, cognitively demanding Acute Care settings.

Congratulations! MRFF Grant Success: Justice in Health Care

THRI members Penny Abbott (opens in a new window) (SoM, THRI), Elizabeth Conroy (opens in a new window) (SoM, THRI) and Lei Si (opens in a new window) (SoHS, THRI) have been awarded a MRFF grant of $1.998,974 to improve the delivery of multidisciplinary primary care to prevent, detect and manage the holistic health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are in prison.

They will work with patients and staff, Aboriginal community-controlled health services, and NSW Health to adapt the existing community model of Indigenous health checks to the prison context, and to implement and evaluate the roll out through NSW.

Prison-based health systems commonly rely on patients seeking care or accepting offered care, and some who need care the most can slip through the cracks. The codesign and community guided approach in this project aims to create a model of care that will improve patient health and wellbeing in prison and continuity of care at release.