News and events
PhD student receives leadership award
Ravin Lal, who has relocated from Fiji under an AusAID Leadership scholarship study the effect of exercise interventions on breast cancer treatment under the direction of Professor Lewis Adams, Dr Peter Mills and Dr Tracey Jason, has recently received another award from ausAID: the Greg Urwin award for leadership development.
Out of 5 awards that were available, Ravin obtained the award allocated to the South-Pacific area of the Asia-Pacific region. A stipend for the scholarship will cover all costs associated with placement, travel, allowances and living expenses for further studies and research following his PhD.
This award was competitively sought after by approximately 300-400 people. Ravin will be presented at the Pacific Islands Forum ceremony chaired by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd from 4 - 7 August in Cairns this year.
Making tracks for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon
The race is on, with several Griffith Staff and students signing on early for this year's Gold Coast Airport Marathon on Sunday, July 5th.
Liisa Laakso, a senior lecturer in the school of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science will lace up her running shoes to participate in the 5km walk.
Being well aware of the importance of exercise as a means of preventing and managing chronic disease, Liisa is looking forward to the active morning- physically and socially. More...
New clinic encourages health and physical activity
A new Physiotherapy and Active Health Centre has opened on the Gold Coast campus. The Centre provides an additional venue for physiotherapy and exercise science students to gain valuable clinical experience and also provides a high-quality service for Griffith staff, students and the wider community.
Director Dr Richard Newsham-West said the Centre offers services across the spectrum of musculoskeletal heath – from prevention of injury to the treatment of acute injuries and rehabilitation from injury or surgery.
“The School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science has excellent resources such as the equipment and skills to also conduct strength testing, motion analysis and sports assessment.”
Funding lifts research on falls
Recently announced funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council will expand Griffith research on fall prevention in older people.
Associate Professor Rod Barrett, from the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, said falls were the major cause of injury in the elderly, often resulting in lengthy and costly hospital stays.
"The high personal and economic cost of falls in the elderly warrants a better understanding of the factors that cause these falls. We know that the elderly are not at greatly increased risk of becoming unbalanced than younger people but they are much less able to recover their balance and avoid a fall and subsequent injury if they become unbalanced," he said.
Physiotherapy graduate pursues academic career
Ben Weeks has come the full circle from being one of the first intake of students into Griffith's double degree in physiotherapy and exercise science ten years ago to lecturing the latest batch of students.
He is also carving out a worthwhile research career - pursuing strategies to improve bone strength and ultimately reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the community.
The ongoing research has already qualified him for his PhD which will be awarded at the Griffith graduations on Friday, December 19 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Ben was a keen and competitive athlete in his school days and a representative at state and national titles. He was always interested in an active career in either sport or health.
He finished off his undergraduate studies at Griffith with an Honours project investigating ultrasound measures of bone strength in young men and women. More...
Research into exercising the immune system
Elite athletes - often perceived as the epitome of health and fitness - may be more susceptible to common illness and are therefore proving useful in helping scientists understand more about the immune system.
Nic West, a PhD candidate at Griffith University, has enlisted elite rowers to help him study the role of salivary proteins that act as a barrier to infectious agents such as respiratory viruses.
Physiotherapy researcher 'lands' new career in hospital!
Dr Leanne Bisset has been awarded the unique position to study as a Research Fellow in the area of physiotherapy.
Dr Bisset's career path will take another turn with her appointment to a full-time research position shared between the University and the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
Dr Leanne Bisset's physiotherapy career has taken her from a leprosy rehabilitation clinic in Thailand to preventing and managing injuries in elite athletes at the Sydney Olympics.
Leanne's research focuses on chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as tennis elbow and ankle instability. She will act as a resource and touchpoint for hospital staff teaching research methodology to physiotherapists and other clinical staff, encouraging them to bring forward research questions and then mentoring them in the research process.
PhD student Ravin Lal.
Gold Coast Airport Marathon participants Candice Vivian and Liisa Laakso.
Newly opened Physiotherapy and Active Health Centre director, Dr Richard Newsham-West.
Dr Peter Mills and Associate Professor Rod Barrett test a volunteer's lower limb muscle strength on the new isokinetic dynamometer.
Physiotherapy PhD graduate continues his research into physical activity and bone density.
PhD student Nick West researches the effects of exercise on the immune system.
Physiotherapy researcher Leanne Bisset investigating ankle instability.